When the Nationals signed Max Scherzer 11 months ago, it was viewed as an obscene addition to an already dominant starting rotation that would surely lead to a World Series berth. For the most part, Scherzer did not disappoint. But widespread injuries, underachieving around the roster and clubhouse friction led to playoff elimination in late September for the Nationals.
Scherzer was arguably the National League's most dominant pitcher throughout the first half of the season. He posted a 2.11...
In two months, the Nationals will head to Viera, Fla., for spring training, and not much is decided about the middle of their infield. Ian Desmond's departure through free agency, the recent trade of Yunel Escobar and Anthony Rendon's upcoming move back to third base have left holes at second base and shortstop.
Danny Espinosa is presumed to be the Nationals' opening day shortstop, but that's not a lock. Trea Turner will battle Espinosa in spring training, and if he loses out, the rookie...
In many ways, 2015 was a lost season for Jayson Werth in the twilight of his 13-year career. The 36-year-old waited until January before undergoing AC joint surgery on his right shoulder, leaving him unavailable to participate in most of spring training and delaying his season debut until April 13.
When Werth did return, his struggled mightily at the plate, batting just .208 with two homers, 12 RBIs and 25 strikeouts through his first 27 games. However, Werth was beginning to heat up at the...
The Nationals selected Danny Espinosa as a slick-fielding shortstop out of Long Beach State University in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. By the time Espinosa made his major league debut in September 2010, Ian Desmond was already entrenched as the Nationals shortstop, a position he played for six seasons at a high level.
But with Desmond leaving via free agency and veteran infielder Yunel Escobar traded to the Angels last week, it finally appears that Espinosa will get his...
The Nationals reportedly have agreed on a deal with the Reds to acquire veteran second baseman Brandon Phillips, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. As a player with 10 years of major league service and five consecutive with the same club, Phillips must waive his full no-trade protection to approve the move for the Nationals.
It's unclear what the Nationals are returning to Cincinnati in the trade.
Late Thursday night, Phillips tweeted "513 to 202" with an airplane emoji. 513 is...
While Nationals fans are anxiously anticipating the time when Trea Turner becomes an everyday major leaguer, they got a taste of Turner in the bigs last season when he was called up in late August.
His speed and defensive abilities were immediately showcased when he took the field. But it took a little while before fans saw his pop. On Sept. 29, he tied the game up with a huge home run at Turner Field (appropriate!)
Bob Carpenter had the call: "And Turner, he does turn on one. High in the air...
Jonathan Papelbon's short stay in Washington hasn't been peaceful. An unwelcoming entrance preceded a disastrous dugout brawl with Bryce Harper leading to a season-ending team-imposed suspension.
Now Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is working to clear the embarrassment and start fresh in 2016. But it's not so easy with Papelbon who brings a limited no-trade clause to the table.
Let's start with the positive. ESPN obtained the list of teams Rizzo can deal Papelbon to without his...
Welcome back to our #TBT posts, and welcome back, Darren O'Day! This week, the Orioles held a press conference to announce the re-signing of the veteran reliever.
After pitching to a 1.52 ERA in 2015, O'Day agreed to a four-year, $31 million deal with the O's.
In welcoming back the sidearmer, we're bringing back one of his signature moments from last season. The Orioles had a 5-2 lead when O'Day came into the game in the eighth inning against the Red Sox. He then went on to record to a...
It's no secret the Nationals are pursuing a veteran second baseman this offseason. During last week's winter meetings, they made a run at versatile free agent Ben Zobrist - before he chose the Cubs - and were reportedly involved in trade talks with the Pirates for Neil Walker - before he was dealt to the Mets.
New Nationals manager Dusty Baker has a connection to the latest second baseman rumored to be headed to Washington. FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports the Nats have engaged in trade...
In 2014, Anthony Rendon led the National League with 111 runs scored while Bryce Harper missed 62 games after early-season thumb surgery. Last year, Rendon was on the pine for 82 games while Harper went bonkers in his record-breaking NL Most Valuable Player award season.
Can you imagine the numbers both players could produce if they could stay on the field in 2016? Surely, Harper exceeds the 100-RBI mark with a healthy Rendon ahead of him in the lineup and maybe even contends for a Triple...
The Nationals efforts to rebuild their bullpen continued on Monday as they officially announced the signing of right-handed reliever Yusmeiro Petit, while also inking righty Nick Masset to a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training.
On Saturday at Winterfest, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed last week's reports that the team had reached an agreement with Petit pending a physical. Petit passed the medical examination and signed a one-year contract with a...
The Nationals need Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup to reach the next level in 2016. Nagging injuries have made it difficult over the past two seasons as "Mr. Nat" has become "Mr. DL," missing a combined 168 games.
"The last two, three years have been frustrating for me," Zimmerman said at Winterfest. "I mean, nobody wants to be on the field more than I want to be on the field. But unfortunately, some of those things happen. That's not the amount of work you put in. It's hard to go 10, 15...
Late Sunday afternoon, with Jayson Werth sitting on his lap, Aaron Barrett came barreling down the cement floors of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on a motorized scooter. The two zoomed around batting cages and slides on their way to an autograph session while fans hurried to snap pictures.
Though highly entertaining, it wasn't a skit planned for Winterfest. After a tough season of injuries, Werth is healthy. But Barrett needs the scooter after undergoing surgery to repair bone...
Last season, the Nationals starting rotation received a boost when 22-year-old right-hander Joe Ross made the jump from Double-A Harrisburg to majors. After an impressive rookie campaign - going 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA in 13 starts - Ross is expected to find a permanent spot in the starting five in 2016.
Now the countdown is on to Lucas Giolito's major league debut. The 21-year-old right-hander is ranked as the best pitching prospect in baseball. The Nationals drafted the 6-foot-6, 255-lb. pound...
Bryce Harper strolled through the curtains into the makeshift media area at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Sunday morning, and spoke in the nation's capital for the first time as the National League's Most Valuable Player at this weekend's Winterfest.
"It was just very good for our family, the organization and the team," a humble Harper said about his honor.
As phenomenal as Harper's record-breaking season was, it was not without a controversy. The slugger was involved in a...
Outfielder Jason Heyward was the latest of the marquee free agents passing on a lucrative offer from the Nationals, instead signing with another ballclub. Like infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist, Heyward chose to take his talents to Wrigley Field next season. Right-hander Darren O'Day, the best reliever available on the free agent market, gave the Nats their first bit of bad news in free agency a week ago when he decided to stay with the Orioles.
General manager Mike Rizzo was disappointed the...
Between mingling with fans, signing autographs and participating in game shows during Winterfest, Nationals players were shuffled through the bowels of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for media sessions. A common question posed to most was how the team deals with the fallout from Jonathan Papelbon's dugout brawl with Bryce Harper as the Nationals proceed into 2016.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has reportedly pursued other closers while attempting to deal Papelbon with no...
The Nationals have attempted adding sexy pieces to their ballclub early this offseason, like their recent hot pursuit of free agent outfielder Jason Heyward. But general manager Mike Rizzo's biggest challenge over the winter months was overhauling a bullpen that stumbled mightily in a pennant race last season. So far, Rizzo has landed three relievers through free agency and two more via trade in the makeover.
But the biggest decision facing Rizzo is how to work through the mess at the back...
Stephen Strasburg battled through nagging injuries for much of last season, but emerged from two trips to the disabled list as one of the top pitchers in the majors down the stretch. The Nationals won eight of Strasburg's final 10 starts, while the right-hander went 6-2 with a 1.90 ERA, fanning 92 with just eight walks over 66 1/3 innings.
A sprained left ankle in spring training coupled with a benign growth in his back bothered Strasburg's mechanics throughout the season. Speaking today at...
I texted a good buddy of mine yesterday asking whether I would see him and his sons at Nationals Winterfest this weekend. I inquired because this friend is a staunch Nats fan - the kind with a lower-level, full-season ticket plan who also makes the yearly pilgrimage along with his boys to spring training. This guy and his family love the Nationals, so naturally I figured to see them decked out in their Bryce Harper jerseys and curly W caps at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center over the...
