Rizzo signs five-year extension, will continue to revamp roster that by season's end contained only 10 players remaining from Opening Day 2009. The Washington Nationals today announced that Mike Rizzo has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager and signed a new five-year contract. Managing Principal Owner Theodore N. Lerner made the announcement. "Mike Rizzo is unquestionably one of the best baseball minds in the game," said Lerner. "He has a...

So when is Cliff Lee going to start dialing it up for the postseason? On my list of dream jobs, I'm adding "Cliff Lee's agent." To make room, I'm removing "Aubrey Huff's towel boy." Again, we're onto something here: Name your ideal sports job, and one that you'd find least appealing. I no longer have any interest in airbrushing Brett Favre's photos. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports that Zack Greinke has until after the World Series to notify the Royals about the...

I had a chance to catch up again with the Nationals number one draft selection, Bryce Harper, as he embarks on his first game for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall league Wednesday. Harper said he is pretty excited to get the invite to play in the AFL. "I am really happy to be a part of the Arizona Fall league with the caliber of guys at this stage," Harper said. "To be able to go up there and play with Lombo, Norris and Burgess, all those good guys, it is incredible. I am...

Earlier today in this space, I posted an article about Luke Scott's homer potential. He hit 27 homers this year and that ranked 14th best in the AL. But he was 6th in the AL in at bats per each home run. Scott is a player that has never gotten over 475 at bats in a single season. This year he had 447. With more at bats, could 35 to 40 homers be in reach for Scott? He wonders that as well. "The last three years, look at the power numbers. I hit 23, 25 and 27 homers in under 500 at...

Here is a question I've been wondering about for a while: How many homers is Luke Scott capable of hitting if he were to get more at bats? Scott hit 27 homers this past season, which ranked 14th best in the American League. But he ranked 6th in the AL in at bats per homer. Here are the top six in at bats per home run this year in the AL: 10.54 - Jose Bautista, Tor 14.05 - Paul Konerko, CWS 14.42 - Miguel Cabrera, Det 16.19 - Josh Hamilton, Tex & David Ortiz, Bos 16.56 - Luke Scott,...

Orioles infield prospect Ryan Adams and the Angels' Brandon Wood were named co-Players of the Week in the Arizona Fall League. Both third basemen collected at least one hit and an RBI in every game last week. Adams, the Orioles' second-round pick in the 2006 draft, batted .500 (6-for-12) with a one home run, seven RBIs and two runs scored. Adams hit .298 with 43 doubles, 15 home runs and 68 RBIs, with a .365 on-base percentage and .464 slugging percentage, at Double-A Bowie. In five...

It's that time of the year in baseball when the nominations - and eventually awards - start flowing, and two more Orioles could use your help in the voting. Brian Matusz and Adam Jones are each up for a 2010 This Year in Baseball Award. Matusz is up for the XFactor Player of the Year for going 7-1 with a 2.18 ERA over his final 11 starts. Matusz is the only pitcher nominated in the XFactor Player of the Year category, leaving the rest of the field to standout performances on the field...

It's that time of the year in baseball when the nominations - and eventually awards - start flowing, and two more Orioles could use your help in the voting. Brian Matusz and Adam Jones are each up for a 2010 This Year in Baseball Award. Matusz is up for the XFactor Player of the Year for going 7-1 with a 2.18 ERA over his final 11 starts. Matusz is the only pitcher nominated in the XFactor Player of the Year category, leaving the rest of the field to standout performances on the field and...

The Nationals are once again holding a pumpkin carving contest this fall. The lucky winner will receive an official game-worn Adam Dunn jersey! All you have to do is carve something Nats-related into a pumpkin and send the team a photo of your creation. Photos should be 720 x 486 pixels in size and no larger than 1MB. More contest information is available on Nationals.com. To participate, you must enter before 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010. The Nationals also offer four Nats...

There's a chill in the air this morning, which reminds me that winter is right around the corner. And my snow shovel is down in my laundry room, propped up against a wall and mocking me at every opportunity. I really need to buy gloves, but I'm not ready to concede that summer is over. I'll be playing tennis again and sitting outside with a grande skim latte. I just know it. I've officially grown tired of writing/talking/thinking about the Orioles' coaching staff, but the topic won't go...