With one trade, the Toronto Blue Jays have filled holes and become instant contenders in the American League East. The Blue Jays have rolled the dice big-time by trading prospects - including three pitchers - to the Miami Marlins for $160 million worth of proven players, a deal that needs approval from Commissioner Bud Selig. It's always a gamble to raid the farm system and add payroll, especially for any team that isn't the Yankees. But the acquisition of pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark...

With the holiday season just around the corner, Washington Nationals fans will be able to take advantage of two different Holiday Gift Packs beginning today, Wednesday, November 14. For a limited time, fans will have the opportunity to purchase the 4th of July Pack or the Interleague Pack, each of which include tickets to four of the hottest matchups of the 2013 season. One FREE George Racing President holiday ornament will be included with each order, creating the perfect holiday gift for...

What a difference one offseason can make. Last winter, the Orioles were engaged in trade talks with the Cardinals involving pitcher Kyle McClellan, who was viewed as a candidate for the rotation or the bullpen. As I wrote here on Jan. 29, the Orioles balked at the Cardinals' asking price and gave up. Their interest also waned because of concerns that he wasn't healthy, which proved to be accurate. St. Louis released McClellan yesterday, making him free to sign with any team. Could the...

The Nationals have announced that Tony Tarasco has been added to Davey Johnson's coaching staff for the 2013 season. Tarasco will serve as the first base coach. Previously a roving outfield instructor/baserunning coordinator within the Nationals' organization, Tarasco will replace Trent Jewett in the first base coach's box. Jewett will move across the diamond and become third base coach, taking over for Bo Porter, who was hired as the Astros' manager. Johnson's coaching staff is now...

The Washington Nationals today announced that bench coach Randy Knorr, pitching coach Steve McCatty, hitting coach Rick Eckstein, third base coach Trent Jewett, first base coach Tony Tarasco and bullpen coach Jim Lett will comprise manager Davey Johnson's coaching staff for the 2013 season. Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Eckstein and McCatty return for their fifth seasons on the Nationals coaching staff, while Lett and...

The Marlins have been a bit of a problem for the Nationals in recent years. And that's putting it quite nicely. Over the last five seasons, the Marlins have absolutely dominated the Nats, going 59-30 against Washington in that time frame. Even this year, with the Marlins floundering (awful pun, I know) and the Nationals taking the division title, Miami played Davey Johnson's team tough, and ended up taking half of the 18 games between the two squads. Those days might be over for a while,...

I've come to this conclusion and I wonder if the Orioles are thinking the same way: If they truly want Mark Reynolds to be their first baseman in 2013, they should simply offer him arbitration and guarantee he stays with the club through next year. The Orioles must decide whether to offer Reynolds arbitration by Nov. 30 or they could non-tender him. That means no arbitration offer, with Reynolds becoming a free agent able to sign with any club. There are estimates that Reynolds, who earned...

If there's anyone in the Orioles' organization who should pay particularly close attention to the off-season roster moves orchestrated by executive vice president Dan Duquette, it's designated hitter/first baseman/outfielder/emergency reliever Chris Davis. Davis could be impacted in so many ways. The Orioles are looking for another bat, which could fit in the DH slot, at first base or in left field, depending on whether Mark Reynolds is back in 2013. Davis did most of his work this season...

Infielder Steve Tolleson has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox that includes an invitation to spring training. The Orioles attempted to re-sign Tolleson, who is out of options, but the White Sox view him as a potential super-utility player, which seems to provide a wider path to the majors. The Orioles recently signed infielder Alexi Casilla off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and currently have Ryan Flaherty, Robert Andino and Omar Quintanilla on their...

Seventeen months ago, Davey Johnson was working as a consultant for a Nationals team that ended up posting its seventh straight losing season since relocating to D.C. Tonight, Johnson was named National League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America after leading the Nats to the best record in Major League Baseball and an NL East division title. It's Johnson's second time winning the award as a league's top manager, and as you might expect, he yet again was...