Dan Kolko

A hodgepodge of random notes (Nats sign Ohlendorf, West)

A hodgepodge of random notes (Nats sign Ohlendorf, West)
Lost in all the Adam LaRoche/Michael Morse stuff the other day, I forgot to mention that it looks like the Nationals will have a new speedy outfielder wearing jersey No. 2 this season. Denard Span tweeted that he will be wearing No. 2 with the Nationals, which was his number while playing with the Twins. The previous owner of that jersey number, Roger Bernadina, apparently has agreed to part ways with it. Span tweeted that Bernadina was "very gracious" in giving up the number. So there...
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Dan Kolko

MASN to air six Nats exhibition games

MASN to air six Nats exhibition games
Even if your boss, significant other or parental unit won't allow you to make a trip down to Viera, Fla., to see a few Nationals spring training games in person, you'll have a chance to catch a number of Nats exhibition games on the small screen. I know, I know. It's not anywhere near the same thing, but for those of you starved for baseball, I'm sure it'll do. MASN HD will be airing six exhibition games this spring, five of which will take place at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. The TV...
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Dan Kolko

Let's look more at the lack of lefties (updated with Hall of Fame note)

Let's look more at the lack of lefties (updated with Hall of Fame note)
Back at the Winter Meetings in December, Davey Johnson said that he'd ideally like to add another left-handed reliever to his bullpen, giving him better match-up options late in games. General manager Mike Rizzo echoed that sentiment, but said that the Nationals don't necessarily need to add a late-inning lefty. Rizzo's reasoning was that with Tyler Clippard, Craig Stammen and Ryan Mattheus in the Nationals' bullpen, Johnson has three righties who possess good track records against...
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Dan Kolko

Why move Morse?

Why move Morse?
In the wake of the news that Adam LaRoche has signed a two-year deal with the Nationals worth a guaranteed $24 million, the most popular question among fans, by far, seems to be the following: Why would the Nats trade Michael Morse? Morse has become a popular guy with teammates and fans over the last couple years, thanks largely to his offensive production (it's tough to dislike a guy who hit .303 with a .910 OPS and 31 home runs two seasons ago), but also because of his quirky, fun-loving...
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Dan Kolko

Rizzo talks LaRoche signing, Morse trade options

Rizzo talks LaRoche signing, Morse trade options
After a few months of extended talks which saw little actual negotiating, the Nationals and Adam LaRoche today agreed on a two-year contract worth a guaranteed $24 million, a deal which brings one player in but will almost certainly send another out. LaRoche returns for the 2013 and 2014 seasons and has a mutual option for 2015, as well. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo viewed LaRoche as his "Plan A" all offseason, and today, he finally brought back the Gold Glove- and Silver...
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Dan Kolko

Nats to host Yankees for March 29 exhibition

Nats to host Yankees for March 29 exhibition
The Nationals made an announcement a couple minutes ago, but it in no way relates to Adam LaRoche re-signing, Michael Morse's future or anything along those lines. Because LaRoche needs to fly to D.C. for a physical before his new two-year contract can be finalized, we'll probably have to wait a day or two before the Nationals make a formal announcement that they've reached a deal with the first baseman. Instead, this bit of news concerns an exhibition between the Nats and the Yankees,...
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Dan Kolko

LaRoche returns to Nats on a two-year deal (deal is official)

LaRoche returns to Nats on a two-year deal (deal is official)
It took a while, but the Nationals have gotten the guy they wanted all along. After lengthy negotiations centering around the length of a deal, the Nats and first baseman Adam LaRoche have agreed to terms on a two-year contract, a source has confirmed. LaRoche, who won Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger awards for his performance this last season, gives the Nationals great lefty-righty balance in their lineup and keeps their strong infield defense intact. LaRoche led the Nationals with 33...
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Dan Kolko

Looking at the Suzuki/Ramos situation

Looking at the Suzuki/Ramos situation
In past years, the Nationals have entered spring training with a number of jobs up for grabs. Position players have battled for starting roles, pitchers have competed for spots in the rotation or a seat in the bullpen and guys lower down the depth chart have tried to merely get their name on the 25-man roster. This spring, we'll see some of that; a couple of bullpen jobs will be there for the taking, and a seat on the bench can possibly be won with a strong effort in camp, as well. For the...
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Dan Kolko

In the on-deck circle

In the on-deck circle
The similarities are a bit eerie. The Nationals led Game 5 of the National League Division Series 6-0 after three innings only to see their offense go silent. Their opponent, the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, chipped away and eventually left D.C. fans heartbroken. The Redskins led the NFC wild card game 14-0 after one quarter only to see their offense completely shut down. Their opponent, the visiting Seattle Seahawks, chipped away and eventually left D.C. fans to deal with another stunning...
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Dan Kolko

The waiting is working

The waiting is working
If the Rangers were considered a possible landing spot for Adam LaRoche a couple days ago, it's hard to believe they still are today. Texas reportedly has agreed to terms with first baseman/outfielder Lance Berkman on a one-year, $11 million contract, a deal which includes a vesting option for 2014. Berkman, a switch-hitter, gives the Rangers more pop from the left side of the plate and a guy that they can rotate in at a few positions. This deal comes after the Rangers signed left-handed...
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Dan Kolko

Howell to sign with Dodgers

Howell to sign with Dodgers
After watching Sean Burnett, Tom Gorzelanny and Michael Gonzalez all leave D.C. to sign elsewhere, the Nationals now have seen another left-handed reliever go off the market, as well. J.P. Howell, a lefty who the Nats had been targeting for a spot toward the back of their bullpen, has agreed to terms with the Dodgers, according to multiple reports. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Howell's deal with the Dodgers will be worth just under $3 million in base salary with performance...
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Dan Kolko

Some of this, some of that

Some of this, some of that
I saw a report yesterday that the Royals had signed first baseman Chad Tracy to a minor league deal and immediately did a double take. Had I blacked out for a few days and missed something? Nope. Turns out former Rockies manager Jim Tracy has a son. That son happens to play first base. That son also happens to have the name Chad. The Nationals' Chad Tracy still is a first baseman ... on the Nationals. This is the point we're at in the offseason - where other teams' minor league...
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Dan Kolko

Finding some offense from the No. 9 spot

Finding some offense from the No. 9 spot
We've talked often about how the Nationals' projected 2013 lineup appears pretty strong from 1-8 in the order. Power, on-base percentage and speed; regardless of whether Adam LaRoche returns or not, the Nats will have a potent top eight in their order in multiple facets. One thing we haven't talked that much about is how the Nationals' No. 9 hitter often will give this lineup an added element that not many teams can match. And no, by that I don't mean that Davey Johnson will be...
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Dan Kolko

New year, same waiting game

New year, same waiting game
The holidays are over, the calendar has turned and my headache has finally started to dissipate. Hello, 2013. Hope everyone had an enjoyable new year celebration and hasn't found the transition back to the real world to be too jarring. We might have put 2012 in the rear-view mirror, but we still find ourselves asking the same question today that we asked for the final few months of last year: Will Adam LaRoche return to the Nationals? LaRoche is still patiently waiting (very patiently, I...
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Dan Kolko

A favorite memory from 2012

A favorite memory from 2012
Let me make sure I have this right: The Washington Nationals and Washington Redskins both made the playoffs in the same calendar year? Two years after those two teams posted a combined winning percentage of .400, they both won the division in their respective sport? Weird, wild stuff. Add in the Orioles and Ravens both making the postseason this year, as well, and it's been a pretty special few months for sports fans in the mid-Atlantic region. As 2012 comes to an end tonight, Nationals...
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Dan Kolko

Getting some more national recognition

Getting some more national recognition
Teams can be chock full of talent and potential, and end up going nowhere. Other teams can lack elite talent and still find a way to rattle off wins and make a run in the playoffs. Talent level guarantees nothing in professional sports. There are other factors that determine how far a team will go, which is why some organizations can spend upwards of $175 million in a season and still end up watching the postseason from home. As they prepare to enter the 2013 season, however, the Nationals...
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Dan Kolko

Still seeking some southpaws

Still seeking some southpaws
For a team that isn't overhauling its roster all that much, it's kind of interesting that the Nationals have lost all three left-handed relievers that were on their 2012 roster prior to the 25-man limit expanding in September. Sean Burnett has headed out west to join the Angels for a reported $8 million over two years, with a vesting option worth $4.5 million for 2015. Tom Gorzelanny, who was non-tendered by the Nats last month, signed a two-year, $5.7 million deal with the Brewers. And...
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Dan Kolko

Report: Michael Gonzalez leaves Nats for Brewers

Report: Michael Gonzalez leaves Nats for Brewers
Another left-handed reliever is off the market. Michael Gonzalez, who appeared in 47 games with the Nationals last season, has signed a one-year deal with the Brewers, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. The deal is worth $2.25 million plus incentives, according to CBSsports.com. Gonzalez posted a 3.03 ERA with the Nats, and he held left-handed hitters to a .179 batting average. He was also a valuable voice in the Nationals' clubhouse, as he mentored a number of the Nationals'...
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Dan Kolko

Can Bernadina back up a strong 2012 campaign?

Can Bernadina back up a strong 2012 campaign?
If you're looking for some good baseball programming on TV to get you through the weekend, I've got a suggestion for you. Cue up the DVR and record any future airings of a one-hour special that originally aired on MLB Network last night called "The Third Team." The show follows around the six umpires that worked the 2012 World Series and gives you a very cool look at the game from their perspective. All six umpires are miked up during the games, and you get to see how the umps handle...
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Dan Kolko

As 2013 nears, Nats still waiting on LaRoche

As 2013 nears, Nats still waiting on LaRoche
If you happen to be interested in getting a sneak peak at the Nationals' new-look batting practice caps for this season, you're in luck.
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