nationals buzz

Zimmerman may move from third to first, but when?

December 28, 2013, 11:19am

With first baseman Adam LaRoche's two-year deal set to expire after the 2014 season - pending the unlikely scenario where he has a monster year and both he and the Nationals agree to exercise a $15 million option for 2015 - there will soon be a new round of chatter about third baseman Ryan Zimmerman switching positions. It seems like an inevitability that Zimmerman will eventually move across the diamond to first base. He's locked into a six-year, $100 million deal that begins this season...

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A few words about anniversaries, history and old timers

December 27, 2013, 7:30am

Nationals

A few words about anniversaries, history and old timers

The media workroom at the Winter Meetings is an odd place. Put 200 writers, broadcasters, multimedia specialists, camera operators and TV reporters in one place for long stretches of time, and things are bound to get a little strange. There's a lot of quiet work, spiced with some idle chatter to pass long stretches of time. One evening, a couple of writers were discussing franchise longevity when one of my Chicago-based brethren asked me when the Nationals were going to start having an old...

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Any Nats action on Tanaka would be a stealth move

December 26, 2013, 10:35am

Nationals

Any Nats action on Tanaka would be a stealth move

Since this is a gift-giving time of year, let's stop for a moment to ponder the fate of Masahiro Tanaka, the Japanese pitcher who, as of Dec. 24, will be posted by the Rakuten Golden Eagles and is in line for a huge payday. Think the kind of haul you'd get when Mega Millions doesn't have a winner for two or three months of drawings. Now the 25-year-old right-hander isn't going to be a millionaire immediately; he'll have to wait until major league teams go through the newly designed...

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What's the best move Mike Rizzo didn't make?

December 25, 2013, 5:03pm

Nationals

What's the best move Mike Rizzo didn't make?

Here's hoping you and yours enjoyed the best Christmas possible yesterday. I've taken two naps during the family festivities at the home of my stepbrother in Newark, Del. - one before dinner, one after - and am so stuffed with homemade goodness that I may not have to eat for several days. The downside of the post-turkey, tryptophan-induced food coma is that I'm wide awake as Dec. 26 dawns. You can only spend so much time counting the gift cards - and I've amassed a plethora of free dining...

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Which long-term extension do Nats get done first?

December 22, 2013, 9:17am

Nationals

Which long-term extension do Nats get done first?

While Mike Rizzo has finished most of his offseason heavy lifting, the Nationals general manager can't sit back and coast until opening day against the Mets at Citi Field. What few holes existed on the blueprint for 2014 are filled; now Rizzo can turn his attentions to more far-reaching pursuits. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and shortstop Ian Desmond are both in line for long-term extensions. Both want to remain in Washington, which is pretty logical considering they are both home-grown and...

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Surprised at scout's take on Lucas Giolito

December 23, 2013, 10:26am

Nationals

Surprised at scout's take on Lucas Giolito

Some baseball writers detest the Winter Meetings. There's too much time spent on too little happening, they say, and prowling a hotel lobby for hours on end in search of the tiniest shreds of information pertaining to the team you cover can be a tedious ordeal. For me, being around the game's movers and shakers for four days is nothing short of baseball geek nirvana. And because there are scouts among the executives hanging out for late-night happy hour or at the morning breakfast buffet,...

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Who's the Nationals' X factor for next season?

December 21, 2013, 11:19am

Nationals

Grant Paulsen has to be the hardest-working guy at SiriusXM Radio. When I toted my Thai takeout in from the car Friday night, he was tag-teaming with Mel Antonen on the evening show on MLB Network Radio. When I get in the car after my Saturday morning Old Bagel and turn on the satellite radio, Paulsen is there again, breaking news of the Shin-Soo Choo signing by the Rangers. He's back on this morning on "Minors and Majors," the weekly show on the minor leagues. Does the guy ever...

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Catcher Chris Snyder signs minor league deal with Nats (with Daubach note, update)

December 21, 2013, 8:42am

Nationals

Catcher Chris Snyder signs minor league deal with Nats (with Daubach note, update)

If you're a fringe major leaguer hoping to find employment for the 2014 season, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Teams are handing out minor league contracts with spring training invitations like stocking stuffers, and the Nationals made such a move today. Though it's relatively minor, it could pay significant dividends down the road. Catcher Chris Snyder signed a minor league contract with the Nationals and will get the ubiquitous invitation to major league camp. If his name...

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Weekly Wrap: Nats' offseason moves getting rave reviews

December 20, 2013, 8:27am

Nationals

Weekly Wrap: Nats' offseason moves getting rave reviews

A week removed from the Winter Meetings, this time of the offseason has been busy for many teams. Not so much for the Nationals. Making a huge move early in the offseason with the Doug Fister trade, the Nationals continued to wheel and deal, signing Nate McLouth and trading for Jerry Blevins. With many of their offseason needs met, the Nats have mostly sat back this week, with the exception of trading Corey Brown to the A's for cash considerations. We have seen in the past that offseason...

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McLouth deal official, Corey Brown DFA

December 12, 2013, 10:34am

Nationals

ORLANDO, Fla. - Greetings from Orlando International Airport, where I've just arrived through the security checkpoint to news that the Nationals' deal with outfielder Nate McLouth is official. That means McLouth passed his physical and that his $10.75 million deal is official. The Nationals envision the veteran, a former All-Star and Gold Glove winner, as a perfect fourth outfielder, since he's able to play all positions, is a plus defender and adds a dimension of speed to the bench. In...

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Weekly Wrap: Nats continue offseason success in Florida

December 13, 2013, 5:43am

Nationals

Weekly Wrap: Nats continue offseason success in Florida

The Winter Meetings have come and gone. Our Dan Kolko and Pete Kerzel chased rumors and news around the Swan and Dolphin Resort, and the Nats returned from Florida with left-handed reliever Jerry Blevins and a signed Nate McLouth contract. Add this to the Doug Fister trade earlier in the offseason, and the Nats have had a very successful offseason, one that Buster Olney calls the best in the majors. To make room for McLouth on the 40-man roster, Corey Brown was designated for assignment. This...

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Nationals add Bowe, Arias in Triple-A phase of Rule 5

December 12, 2013, 5:23am

Nationals

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Nationals added a pair of players in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday morning, selecting fleet outfielder Theo Bowe in the first round and right-hander Martires Arias in the second round. Bowe played in 99 games last season for Double-A Pensacola, the Southern League affiliate of the Reds, where he hit .206 with four homers and 16 RBIs. While those numbers might not be exciting, the fact that the 23-year-old out of Milford High School in...

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After "shock" of trade, new reliever Blevins eager to get started with Nats (updated)

December 11, 2013, 11:55am

Nationals

After "shock" of trade, new reliever Blevins eager to get started with Nats (updated)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Family members had clued Jerry Blevins in to the fact that his name was being mentioned in trade rumors at the Winter Meetings over the past couple of days. But the left-handed reliever was still surprised when an A's official phoned him Wednesday afternoon to tell him he'd been traded to the Nationals in exchange for minor league outfielder Billy Burns. "I got a call from someone in the A's organization letting me know I'd been traded," Blevins said by telephone...

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The evolution of Matt Williams' managerial style

December 10, 2013, 12:55pm

Nationals

The evolution of Matt Williams' managerial style

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla - One of the most interesting storylines that will play out when the Nationals arrive at Space Coast Stadium for their first spring training under new skipper Matt Williams is his evolution as a manager. While Williams has said he wants to be aggressive - playing to players' strengths, forcing things on offense and making opponents defend against his club - Williams is pretty much a blank canvas as a manager. Yes, there was some fill-in work at Double-A Mobile, and a...

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Williams says Strasburg will be "full go" for spring training (Rizzo says Nats may be "cautious")

December 10, 2013, 10:02am

Nationals

Williams says Strasburg will be "full go" for spring training (Rizzo says Nats may be "cautious")

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - New Nationals manager Matt Williams said Tuesday that right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his throwing elbow in late October, will be "full go" for spring training. "His rehab has gone phenomenal," Williams said while addressing reporters at the Winter Meetings. "Everything checks out from a medical standpoint. He is ready to go, day one spring training. Full go." Strasburg's surgery, performed in Los Angeles, caused...

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It won't be easy for teams to pry Clippard or Storen from Nats

December 10, 2013, 7:17am

Nationals

It won't be easy for teams to pry Clippard or Storen from Nats

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The hotel lobby at the Winter Meetings is a magical place. Think of it as nirvana for baseball geeks, a confusing confluence of scouts, executives, agents, players, former players and media types, all trying to sniff out the latest shred of a rumor without being too obvious. This morning's tour of the Dolphin Resort at Disney brought a lot of chatter about interest in two Nationals relievers - right-handers Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard. Most teams in the majors are...

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Young starting pitchers could serve bullpen apprenticeships

December 09, 2013, 1:43pm

Nationals

Young starting pitchers could serve bullpen apprenticeships

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The acquisition of Doug Fister and an impending spring training competition for the fifth starter's spot in the Nationals rotation has created a crunch for the young starting pitchers vying for a spot on the 25-man roster out of spring training. While it wouldn't be surprising to see right-handers Taylor Jordan, Tanner Roark or Nate Karns forming the bulk of the rotation at Triple-A Syracuse should they not make the major league club out of spring training, there's...

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Rizzo on McLouth: "We'll find ample at-bats"

December 09, 2013, 1:04pm

Nationals

Rizzo on McLouth: "We'll find ample at-bats"

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Though his starting outfield is set - with Bryce Harper in left field, Denard Span in center field and Jayson Werth in right field - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo placed a high priority this offseason in adding a dependable left-handed bat off the bench. Rizzo wanted someone versatile enough to play all three positions well, a hitter with enough pop to hit the occasional home run and a guy who could add an element of speed to the aggressive style new manager...

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Will Buck stop with Nationals?

December 09, 2013, 3:58am

Nationals

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Greetings from the Hemisphere Ballroom, which functions as the media work room for the Winter Meetings. The lobby is starting to buzz and the work room is beginning to fill up with reporters, many of whom are finally arriving after having their flights from the great white - and icy - north delayed, postponed or canceled. I won't throw the fact that the weather forecaster on the local FOX affiliate told me it was going to be "really, really warm for December" here...

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On rumors, mystery teams and improving the Nationals

December 08, 2013, 6:04am

Nationals

I'm sitting at Gate B-4 at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport, having decided it's better to arrive early for a 1 p.m. fight with a wintry mix in the weather forecast than to risk getting shut out of my Airport FastPark, my preferred long-term parking destination for business excursions. Better safe than sorry, right? My friends who are trying to fly out of Reagan National or Dulles bound for Orlando (and, eventually, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., site of the annual...