The Nationals have been linked to top Dominican prospect Armando Cruz for nearly a year and a half now, and today they’re finally expected to announce they’ve signed the elite young shortstop for a reported $4 million bonus. It’s a whopping total for a kid who turns 17 on Saturday, and it’s perhaps the latest and most convincing evidence just how far the Nats’ Latin ... read more
The majority of arbitration cases are relatively simple. Players who have accrued between three and six years of big league service time and their clubs typically agree on a salary figure without ever needing to file for arbitration or have their cases heard before a panel. There are always a few complicated cases, though, usually involving big-name players whose salary requests go well beyond what ... read more
The Nationals’ stated No. 1 priority this winter was to acquire a big bat, and the recent acquisitions of both Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber each meet that criteria. But let’s be honest here: The Nats’ best path to contending in 2021 isn’t via a more productive lineup, it’s via a more effective pitching staff. As glaring as the hole in the heart of the ... read more
Hey, what do you know, the Nationals actually made some news over the weekend. They acquired their second potentially big bat of the winter, signing left fielder Kyle Schwarber for one year and a guaranteed $10 million. This after trading for first baseman Josh Bell on Christmas Eve. It’s a start, but the Nats are far from finished assembling their 2021 roster. There are more ... read more
The Nationals lineup, as currently constructed this morning, features three guys who hit at least 34 homers and drove in at least 92 runs during the last full major league season. It also includes another guy who hit 22 homers and drove in 86 runs that season, plus one who totaled 63 extra-base hits and yet another who totaled 53. That sounds like a pretty ... read more
Kyle Schwarber had been a Cub his entire professional life, since the North Siders made him the fourth pick in the country in 2014, back when they were still lovable losers and didn’t dare dream of breaking the Billy Goat Curse. So when he learned a month ago the Cubs had non-tendered him, and he was suddenly searching for a new employer for the first ... read more
The Nationals are acquiring another big left-handed bat and appear to be building a lineup capable of hitting a bunch of homers, drawing a lot of walks and hoping not to hurt itself too much in the field. The latest addition: Kyle Schwarber, the power-hitting former Cubs outfielder, who has agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million, a source familiar with the terms confirmed. ... read more
There’s a postseason game being played tonight in Washington. Er, Landover. But you get the idea. Remarkably, this is only the fourth time the Washington Football Team is hosting a playoff game in the last three decades. It hasn’t won a home playoff game since its 27-13 victory over the Lions in the 1999 NFC wild card contest. The Nationals, on the other hand, have ... read more
