The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with right-handed reliever Cla Meredith and infielder Alex Cora on minor-league contracts that include Spring Training invitations. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Meredith is 14-14 with 44 holds, one save and a 3.62 ERA in 286 appearances during six big league seasons with Boston, San Diego and Baltimore. The 27-year-old groundball pitcher is 14-9 with 37 holds and a...

The Nationals have announced a new lineup of ticket mini-plans for fans to purchase this season. Each plan features one free game. The brand new Manager's Plan offers 15 games for the price of 14. The best part is that fans can create their own lineup of favorite games through this plan, which includes opening day, interleague games and games against National League East rivals. Ivan Rodriguez is not yet a member of baseball's Hall of Fame, but according to the Nationals, fans can watch him...

I'm running on fumes this morning. I'll check for more FanFest leftovers later before they go bad like the onion dip that I found in the back of my fridge last week (speaking of fumes). I wanted to address a question regarding new pitcher Justin Duchscherer and the possibility that he could be the Orioles' opening day starter with a good spring. I don't think that manager Buck Showalter has slotted his starters two months before the first game. He still needs to choose five arms. But...

Here is something I didn't think I'd have to ponder and write about it. It is possible that the Frederick Keys, the Orioles' Single-A Carolina League affiliate, could leave town after this season and move somewhere else? I would guess that is a real long shot, and it's probably too soon to get alarmed, but right now the team and city of Frederick seem locked in a dispute over money and how much the team should pay the city to lease Harry Grove Stadium. Frederick Mayor Randy McClement...

I walked into the gym this afternoon and heard the question. It could have been anywhere. Grocery store, bank, dentist's waiting room. "Vlad?" It's been shortened to one word. "Vlad?" I still don't know whether the Orioles will sign him. I still don't know whether that $8 million offer from another team actually exists. I still don't know why he wouldn't accept it if it's true. The Orioles made their offer and aren't budging from it. They hope he accepts it. They won't come...

The Washington Nationals today acquired right-handed pitcher Adam Olbrychowski from the New York Yankees in exchange for outfielder Justin Maxwell. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Olbrychowski went 3-2 with four holds, one save and a 3.90 ERA in 32 games/one start last season with Tampa of the Single-A Florida State League and Trenton of the Double-A Eastern League. During the last two seasons (2009-10), the...

Former Nationals outfielder and University of Maryland star Justin Maxwell has been traded to the New York Yankees and is thrilled to be able to continue his dream of playing major league baseball. But Maxwell also will miss his former teammates and coaches. Maxwell found out about the deal only a few minutes before we talked and battled a bad cell connection when he was told. But he was able to make out "trade" and "Yankees". "I am pumped up and my family is excited, too," Maxwell...

The Orioles recently released 11 more minor league players, bringing the total number of players released to 33 since the end of last season. The club has two fewer minor league teams now after dropping its Bluefield affiliate and cutting back to one team in the Dominican Summer League. Probably the most well-known of the latest group of players released were infielder Tyler Stampone and pitcher Mick Mattaliano. The 23-year-old Stampone played two seasons for the club and batted .247 with 30...

New bench coach Willie Randolph knows winning. It's on his resume. So how can a team like the Orioles change a losing culture? Let's ask him. "It takes individuals, it takes guys who are willing to commit to changing that as a group, as a team," Randolph said during a break at FanFest. "Changing a culture is not all that tough if you want to get on board and get back to where you were as an organization and as a team. So it's really not that difficult, but that's why it's so important...

It's time for the main event - the Geico Presidents Race. The Nationals are now accepting applicants for Racing Presidents for the 2011 season. Auditions will occur, appropriately enough, over President's Day Weekend. To be eligible, applicants must fulfill the following requirements: * Measure between 5-foot-7 and 6-foot-6 in height * Possess the ability to run from center field to home plate (approximately 200 yards) in 40 seconds * Be able to wear a costume weighing approximately 45...