With the trade of four top prospects, the Nationals still have Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon at the top of their list of the best offensive talent in the organization. Harper proved he could hit and hold his own defensively in his debut season with Single-A Hagerstown, Double-A Harrisburg and a second consecutive stint in the Arizona Fall League. Rendon, the team's first-round pick in the June draft, comes to the Nationals with impressive credentials and was considered for a long period of...

If the Nationals are intent on going into 2012 with Jayson Werth as their primary center fielder - as general manager Mike Rizzo told a national radio audience Wednesday - the move creates an opening in right field. Rizzo's proclamation has also stirred up a lot of discussion in NatsTown in the past 24 hours, with curious fans wondering who will be manning the patch of green to Werth's left (for you directionally challenged folks, right field is to Werth's left). Yes, there's a lot of...

The next wave of prospects from the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays, including several late round picks, will begin to fill the rosters of Single-A Hagerstown and advanced Single-A Potomac when the 2012 season draws closer. One of those players we will hear from is former Georgia Tech third baseman Matt Skole, who had a very promising start to his career with Auburn. Skole hit .290 with five homers and 48 RBIs in 72 games. He smacked 23 doubles and one triple, while stealing two...

New Orioles amateur scouting director Gary Rajsich continues to set up his staff and department now with about six months remaining before the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. He recently hired Danny Haas from the Red Sox organization to serve as a national crosschecker. Haas was a player in the Boston farm system when Rajsich worked for the Red Sox. Haas and Ron Hopkins will be the Orioles' two national crosscheckers. Jim Thrift, who was the Orioles' major league advance scout last year, will...

As 2011 draws to a close, we're wading in a steady stream of "favorite moment" stories and blog entries. Be sure to roll up your pant legs. I'm not a huge fan of the format because it's cliched and formula. Every newspaper in the country falls into this trap. Reporters submit their amusing or touching anecdotes from the year in sports. Whatever happened on their respective beats that will somehow stay with them until they die - or until they're given another assignment by their...

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...