Further proof that the Nationals are willing to go into 2012 with Jayson Werth as their primary center fielder: General manager Mike Rizzo pretty much said as much in an interview this morning on MLB Network Radio on Sirius/XM. "We see the 2013 free agent class at center field is much stronger than it is for the 2012 season," Rizzo said. "With that in mind, we know Jayson can handle the center field position. It's not a perfect world for us. He's a good defender out there and is ready,...

Through their public relations department's Twitter account, the Nationals have announced that they've signed free agent utility man Mark DeRosa to a one-year deal. The 36-year-old has started games at six different positions during his 14-year major league career. He's played everywhere but pitcher, catcher and center field. He is a career .272 hitter with 93 homers and 452 RBIs for the Braves, Rangers, Cubs, Indians, Cardinals and Giants. Last season in San Francisco, he batted .279 in...

The Washington Nationals today signed free-agent infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa to a one-year contact. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. DeRosa has hit .272 with 179 doubles, 93 home runs and 452 RBI since debuting with the Braves in 1998. His 316 walks in 1105 games render a career on-base percentage of .341. DeRosa is especially versatile having started games at six different positions during his career,...

I have to submit my Hall of Fame ballot by Saturday, so it's probably a good idea to fill it out today before I forget. I've been stalling because I can't decide on Terry Mulholland. Lots of sleepless nights here. But seriously ... It's Brad Radke and Tony Womack that keep me tossing and turning. But seriously ... The Baseball Writers' Association of America allows for up to 10 players to receive votes. This year's group consists of: Jeff Bagwell Jeromy Burnitz Vinny Castilla Juan...

Many things could change between now and April, but at this moment, with the current makeup of the roster, here is my projected Orioles starting rotation and order of the five: Jeremy Guthrie Zach Britton Jake Arrieta Tsuyoshi Wada Tommy Hunter I am certainly not counting Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, Dana Eveland and/or Brad Bergesen out of the picture, but if I had to pick five right now, that is my list. I could even see Jim Johnson still factoring into the picture, but right now the...

Add another name to the list of organizational depth players signed by the Nationals this offseason. Left-hander Mike Ballard has inked a minor league deal with the Nats, per this tweet from MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Ballard is a 27-year-old native of Norfolk, Va., who has logged a 51-43 record and 4.50 ERA in eight minor league seasons. He spent the first five years of his pro career in the Rangers system before joining the Orioles organization last season, when he went 8-3 with a 3.33 ERA at...

Depending on your point of view, general manager Mike Rizzo is either a forward-thinking executive who just made a decisive move that landed the Nationals a front-line starting pitcher with the trade for Gio Gonzalez, or he's the overreacting fool who just mortgaged the club's farm system and future for a chance to win sooner rather than later. But Rizzo's latest deal, whatever it does or does not produce, is also perfect fodder for our "What if?" Wednesday discussion, which this week...

Back in the days before the Internet, Twitter and MLBTradeRumors.com, folks whiled away the winter months by sitting around and talking baseball. They didn't wait for the next day's newspaper, the 11 p.m. news or a few seconds of diamond discussion on the radio; they talked among themselves, shared opinions and engaged in meaningful dialogue. Taking a cue from this old-school approach, the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds have changed the format of their annual Hot Stove Banquet, which will be...

There's no way around it: The Nationals have at least one more starting pitcher than spots in the vastly improved five-man rotation that will break camp from spring training in Viera, Fla., in early April. "We have great depth in the starting rotation," general manager Mike Rizzo said Friday night during a conference call to announce the trade for Gio Gonzalez. "We've got (Stephen) Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Chien-Ming Wang, Ross Detwiler, John Lannan. We also have guys...

Catcher Derek Norris, one of the four top prospects traded last week and considered one of the highest-rated backstops not yet in the majors, believes he can contribute right now with his new team, the Oakland Athletics. Norris has been the prized possession of the Nationals' revamped minor league system, and each season has continued to develop his defense. Norris has jumped from Single-A Potomac Nationals to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, working on his ability to call games and his...