Once the shock of the trade wore off – and, yes, it was shocking, given the magnitude of last August’s deal – MacKenzie Gore’s focus shifted to one clear-cut objective: Pitch for the Nationals in 2022. A resident of the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation when he was one of six players shipped by the Padres to the Nationals for Juan Soto an

The mailbag will be much too heavy to transport down to Sarasota for spring training unless I empty it again. I’m reluctant to check it with my luggage. I may not get it back until the Winter Meetings. Here is the latest sequel to the beloved original from 2008. You ask, I answer, you ask again, I answer again. It’s bound to get old one of these da

When I conducted a two-part interview and series on the Orioles farm system recently with director of player development Matt Blood, I asked a question about the Orioles' minor league managers. I inquired how the minor league skipper’s job differs from that of a big league manager. And the answer was not unexpected for anyone that has followed the

Rebuilding teams and reeling veterans are perfect matches for each other. Bring experience and leadership to a young clubhouse while playing every day to rejuvenate your career while the team develops prospects. It’s often a mutually beneficial relationship. The Nationals are certainly banking on that being true as this is how they’ve filled holes

The Orioles have made two moves since the last time that I speculated on the position-player half of the 26-man roster, acquiring first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn from the Royals on Tuesday for cash considerations and designating him for assignment on Thursday while claiming first baseman Lewin Díaz off waivers from the Braves. O’Hearn has one

The signing of former Orioles right-hander Mychal Givens lengthened the current Orioles bullpen with the addition of another quality arm. In one sense he can pick up some of the slack that Jorge López left behind after his trade to the Minnesota Twins. One possibility that could really benefit the team would be a scenario where Félix Bautista close

The Nationals roster, as currently constructed, is by no means loaded. It’s littered with inexperienced players, plus a handful of experienced ones trying to bounce back from recent struggles. It’s exactly what you’d expect the roster of a team that lost 107 games last year to look like. Except in one peculiar way: Nearly every position on this ros

While addressing one of their offseason priorities earlier this week, the Orioles created a new question. Are they done with left-handed-hitting first basemen? They hadn’t satisfied their craving after claiming Lewin Díaz off waivers from the Pirates on Dec. 2. He was traded to the Braves later in the month. Franchy Cordero and Josh Lester agreed t

The left-handed hitter carousel keeps spinning for the Orioles. Lewin Díaz has made a full circle, coming back to the organization this afternoon in a waiver claim from the Braves. The Orioles claimed Díaz from the Pirates on Dec. 2, providing another candidate to back up Ryan Mountcastle at first base, but they designated him for assignment after

The Orioles have made the following roster moves: Claimed INF Lewin Díaz off waivers from the Atlanta Braves.Designated INF Ryan O’Hearn for assignment. The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.