MASN to broadcast seven Nationals spring training games

MASN to broadcast seven Nationals spring training games
With pitchers and catchers reporting in 36 days, spring training is nearing for the Nationals. MASN announced today it will broadcast seven Nationals games during the 2016 Grapefruit League season, beginning with a March 10 home contest against the Astros at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla. The Astros, the winner of the American League wild card game, are one of four matchups against 2015 playoff teams to be featured on MASN. The network will also bring you live coverage of home games against...
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Strasburg, Rendon among five Nats filing for arbitration, plus lineup discussion

Strasburg, Rendon among five Nats filing for arbitration, plus lineup discussion
Right-hander Stephen Strasburg, catcher Wilson Ramos, outfielder Ben Revere, and infielders Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa were among the 156 major leaguers filing for salary arbitration on Tuesday. Of those five players, Strasburg and Ramos are approaching the final year of their contracts with the Nationals. Catcher Jose Lobaton and first baseman/left fielder Tyler Moore would have been eligible for arbitration, but both agreed to deals with the Nationals earlier this offseason. Salary...
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Orioles name minor league managers, coaches and staff

Orioles name minor league managers, coaches and staff
The Orioles today announced the coaching staffs for their eight minor league affiliates for the 2016 season. Ron Johnson returns for his fifth season as the manager at Triple-A Norfolk after guiding the Tides to the International League South Division title and earning International League Manager of the Year honors in 2015. The 2016 season will be Johnson's 23rd as a minor league manager. He has compiled 1,555 career victories (1,555-1,544 overall) and became the winningest manager in Tides...
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Nationals host 2016 Racing Presidents auditions on Jan. 17

Nationals host 2016 Racing Presidents auditions on Jan. 17
WHAT: Washington Nationals fans will have a chance to run for office when they try out to become one of the Racing Presidents on Sunday, January 17 at the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. Candidates looking to fill the shoes of George, Tom, Abe, Teddy and Bill have been invited to the Youth Baseball Academy to perform a freestyle dance, run a 40-yard dash and participate in two races from center field to first base. In addition, each applicant will be required to answer questions...
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Ben Revere looking to rack up RBIs for Bryce Harper and crew

Ben Revere looking to rack up RBIs for Bryce Harper and crew
Before Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo acquired outfielder Ben Revere in a trade with the Blue Jays for reliever Drew Storen on Friday night, the main offensive question skipper Dusty Baker faced was who to place at the top of his batting order. Revere's arrival in Washington solves that issue. "He's hit at the top of the lineup each stage of his career," Rizzo said. "He's got a propensity to steal you a base in big situations and he's the type of leadoff hitter that is very tough...
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#TBT: Four homers lead Orioles to win over Jays

#TBT: Four homers lead Orioles to win over Jays
If you're anything like me, you love a good pitchers' duel. You know, the games that are knotted up at 0-0 or sit at 1-0 into the late innings. Well, today ... we're not looking back at that. In fact, it's pretty much the opposite. If I'm not watching the low-scoring games I generally prefer, there's nothing that can top huge home runs. Now let's multiply that by four. In an early September game in Toronto, the Orioles teed off four times, scattering home runs all around Rogers...
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Ben Revere talks defense

Ben Revere talks defense
One of the knocks on Ben Revere is his defense or lack thereof. Mostly, the criticism begins with his arm strength. It was something Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo addressed with the media hours after acquiring Revere and a player to be named later from the Blue Jays for reliever Drew Storen and cash. "He's a good defensive center fielder with a short-throwing arm, a poor throwing arm," Rizzo said. "But beyond that, he's got good range angles and (takes) good routes to the baseballs...
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Is shortstop Danny Espinosa's job to lose?

Is shortstop Danny Espinosa's job to lose?
The Nationals infield will have a much different look when opening day rolls around in 81 days. Ian Desmond and Yunel Escobar have been subtracted, Anthony Rendon moves to third and reigning National League Championship Series MVP Daniel Murphy takes over at second. Barring injuries, those starters - along with Ryan Zimmerman at first base - are guarantees. But what about shortstop? Danny Espinosa figures to finally receive the chance to be the Nats' everyday shortstop after waiting behind...
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Mike Rizzo supports Jonathan Papelbon: "He brings a swagger to the bullpen"

Mike Rizzo supports Jonathan Papelbon: "He brings a swagger to the bullpen"
On Thursday, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was asked about the latest on right-handers Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon, two back end relievers with volatile endings to their seasons. Both reportedly had been shopped since October with no movement. "I think we're in the same place that we've always been," Rizzo said following Daniel Murphy's introductory press conference. "If there's a baseball trade that makes sense, we would make it. We're not gonna trade anybody to move a...
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Mike Rizzo reacts after trading Drew Storen for Ben Revere

Mike Rizzo reacts after trading Drew Storen for Ben Revere
Following a highly disappointing 2015 campaign and facing the loss of several veteran free agents, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was forced to change the complexion of the roster. Finding a leadoff hitter - preferably a left-handed swinging outfielder - and reconstructing the bullpen were high on Rizzo's winter wish list. In a trade with the Blue Jays late last night, Rizzo addressed both by sending right-hander Drew Storen and cash to Toronto for 27-year-old outfielder Ben Revere and a...
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Mike Rizzo finds speedy leadoff hitter in trade for Ben Revere

Mike Rizzo finds speedy leadoff hitter in trade for Ben Revere
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was serious about adding a starting outfielder all offseason. He positioned the Nationals into finalists for All-Star Jason Heyward - reportedly making a highly competitive offer - before the three-time Gold Glove Award winner signed a $184 million contract with the Cubs last month. Several other trades and free agents were also discussed. But as late as Thursday, Rizzo remained coy in discussing further pursuits of outfielders, sounding confident with a...
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Nationals trade Drew Storen to Blue Jays for Ben Revere

Nationals trade Drew Storen to Blue Jays for Ben Revere
Barely 24 hours after Denard Span signed with the Giants, the Nationals have found his replacement. The Nats announced late tonight that they dealt right-hander Drew Storen and cash considerations to the Blue Jays for speedy outfielder Ben Revere and a player to be named. Revere slashed .306/.342/.377 with 22 doubles, seven triples, two homers, 84 runs scored and 31 stolen bases in 152 games with the Phillies and Blue Jays last season. Philadelphia sent the 27-year-old to Toronto at last...
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Former Marlins GM Dan Jennings joins Nationals front office

Former Marlins GM Dan Jennings joins Nationals front office
The Nationals have made another move, adding from a division rival. This time, it's off the field, as former Marlins general manager and manager Dan Jennings is joining the Nationals front office as a special assistant to president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo. Jennings will focus on all facets of scouting operations for the Nationals, according to a team-issued release. Jennings, 55, is considered one of the most highly respected minds in the game and was the Marlins...
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Denard Span says goodbye: "DC will always feel like home"

Denard Span says goodbye: "DC will always feel like home"
Denard Span is the latest Nationals free agent to officially leave Washington this offseason, signing a three-year, $31 million deal with the Giants on Thursday night. Span became one of the most beloved Nationals after arriving in D.C. in a trade with the Twins prior to the 2013 season. Over the last three years, Span slashed .292/.345/.404 as the catalyst of the Nationals lineup while displaying show-stopping defense in center field. In 2014, Span tied for the National League lead with a...
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Mets' loss is Nats' gain with Daniel Murphy

Mets' loss is Nats' gain with Daniel Murphy
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has known Daniel Murphy for many of the wrong reasons over the past seven seasons. Murphy has been one of the toughest outs for Nationals pitchers as a member of the Mets since making his major league debut in 2007. So by signing Murphy, Rizzo has not only bolstered the Nats roster, but also damaged the division rival Mets lineup. "It's a very exciting day here in Nats Land, landing a supremely talented, gritty, team-orientated player to help take us to...
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Denard Span inks three-year deal with Giants

Denard Span inks three-year deal with Giants
If the Nationals add another outfielder this offseason, it won't be Denard Span. The Giants announced this evening they reached a three-year deal with Span, one reportedly worth $31 million, pending a physical. Span had been the Nationals' center fielder and leadoff hitter since coming to Washington in a trade with Minnesota before the 2013 season. Speaking earlier today following a press conference introducing new Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy, general manager Mike Rizzo indicated...
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#TBT: Denard Span makes dazzling snag

#TBT: Denard Span makes dazzling snag
Happy 2016, Nats fans! A new season of Nats baseball will be here before we know it, with pitchers and catchers set to report in just a little more than a month. The Nationals have been busy this offseason, adding players such as Daniel Murphy, who had his introductory press conference today. With additions and with players heading into free agency after the 2015 season, the Nats roster will look much different in 2016. A key subtraction is veteran Denard Span, who just signed a three-year deal...
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Will Daniel Murphy's postseason home run derby carry into 2016?

Will Daniel Murphy's postseason home run derby carry into 2016?
Over his seven seasons, Daniel Murphy has been known as one of the best contact hitters in the majors. He struck out just 38 times in 538 plate appearances in 2015 while batting .281 last season. But after averaging nine homers per season from 2009-2014, Murphy launched 14 longballs last year. Then came a postseason power surge, with Murphy smacking seven homers, including one in a record-breaking six straight games. The artillery show helped the Mets to the World Series and won Murphy the...
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#TBT: Mike Wright dazzles in "delicious" debut

#TBT: Mike Wright dazzles in "delicious" debut
Happy 2016, Birdland! A new year is upon us, which means we're one step closer to another season of Orioles baseball. Yep, just a little more than a month until pitchers and catchers report! As spring training nears, there is still a lot of speculation surrounding the Orioles rotation and lineup. One question fans and media are asking is how the young arms, including Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson, will impact the team in 2016. While we anticipate many questions being answered spring training,...
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A deep bench is imperative for Dusty Baker

A deep bench is imperative for Dusty Baker
In a week filled with playoff hype for the Redskins, the Nationals will take a slice of the attention today with a press conference - carried live at noon on MASN and MASNsports.com - introducing new second baseman Daniel Murphy. While Murphy, the reigning National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player, represents the biggest offseason acquisition so far, general manager Mike Rizzo has also been busy assembling a new bullpen and adding veteran role players for depth. Besides...
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