Despite the Nationals much-improved defense, there is not a single Washington player on the list of 2011 Gold Glove finalists. Published October 31 2011
The official Elias rankings that determine whether or not a player set to hit free agency will be Type A, Type B or unranked was obtained by MLBTraderumors Monday afternoon and, as expected, the Nationals will not have a single free agent that will yield a draft pick if they sign elsewhere. Published October 31 2011
With the announcement that Davey Johnson will officially manage the Nationals in 2012 also came the announcement that the Nationals 2011 coaching staff would remain largely intact save for one change at the bench coach position. Pat Corrales is not expected to return as Johnson's bench coach after serving in the role for the season's final three months. Published October 31 2011
The Nationals made official Monday the long-expected move to solidify the start to one of the most anticipated offseasons in team history: they agreed to keep manager Davey Johnson in the dugout for the 2012 season. Published October 31 2011
Eight Nationals filed for free agency when 12:01 hit Sunday morning and the Nationals officially have five days to negotiate exclusively with them. If they don't agree before 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning, all eight will hit the free agent market. Here's the list of Nationals who became free agents Sunday: Published October 30 2011
One of the unknowns throughout the season when it comes to a team's young, controllable players is what the cutoff will be for service time for Super Two players. According MLBTraderumors' Tim Dierkes, the cutoff this year is expected to be two years and 146 days of service. Published October 27 2011
General manager Mike Rizzo's conference call with reporters on Wednesday was relatively wide-ranging. I've already written up the posts on the manager (expected announcement to come shortly after the world series ends), Chien-Ming Wang and a few other Nationals free agents, and Yu Darvish. Here are a few of the other tidbits and updates from the briefing: Published October 27 2011
Way back in September, when Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo sat down with reporters, he outlined the top two items on his offseason wish list: a front line starter and a center fielder. One of those things could be available on the international market if Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish is indeed posted by the Nippon Ham Fighters. The Nationals have been linked to interest in Darvish for some time and Rizzo reaffirmed that interest on Wednesday. Published October 26 2011
Since he began to truly regain his form and prove himself as a viable member of the starting rotation, the Nationals have wanted to keep Chien-Ming Wang around for next year. They've been in discussions for a contract for the Taiwanese right-hander since September but Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday that while those talks are ongoing, a deal is not "imminent." Published October 26 2011
In a conference call with reporters Wednesday afternoon, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo indicated that the team is set on who will be their manager in 2012 and is simply waiting for the World Series to end before they can make the announcement. It is expected that Davey Johnson will remain at the helm. Published October 26 2011
Matt Purke took the mound in Surprise, Ariz., Friday afternoon for his first professional start of record. He's pitched before professionally, of course, throwing several times in the Nationals' instructional league in Florida and coming in as a reliever last Saturday, but this, for the highly-touted left-hander, was his first start. And, after all, that's what the Nationals drafted him to do. It did not go well. Published October 21 2011
The Nationals' first-round pick from the 2011 draft, Anthony Rendon, is still not expected to attend the Arizona Fall League, according to Nationals Director of Player Development Doug Harris. Rendon, who spent his time down at the Instructional League continuing to build strength in his throwing shoulder, has not played a live game since his season at Rice ended this spring. Published October 20 2011
Before the Scottsdale Scorpions game in Phoenix last night, Bryce Harper walked onto the field with his four measly Arizona Fall League hits in tow, stretched with his teammates, laughed, took batting practice and warmed up for what would turn into a nearly four-hour, 10-inning 11-10 Scottsdale victory -- just the team's fourth since the season began 12 games ago. Published October 19 2011
When I did a Fall League update last week, after just six games, the numbers weren't pretty. At the time Bryce Harper had just one hit; Sammy Solis had given up two hits, three walks and a run despite throwing just three innings. In fact, the only player with a stat line somewhat non-cringe-worthy was Zach Walters, the infielder brought over in the Jason Marquis trade, an afterthought to the Fall League roster (replacing Anthony Rendon when it was deemed he would not go) and a .300 hitter in the minor leagues this past season. It's been a week and the numbers haven't changed much. Published October 18 2011
It appears that former Nationals manager Jim Riggleman will not be a familiar face in the National League East next season (at least not yet.) Riggleman interviewed for the New York Mets open bench coach job on Wednesday but reports coming out of New York, including one from the Star-Ledger's Andy McCullough, Riggleman has been informed that the team is going in a different direction. Published October 14 2011
Major League Baseball announced the (somewhat incomplete) roster for the U.S. team in the 2011 Taiwan All-Star series. Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler and slugger Michael Morse are the only two Nationals listed on the roster right now, though the remainder of the roster is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Published October 14 2011
The Nationals announced Friday morning that, before heading to Chicago to open the 2012 season at Wrigley Field, they'll welcome the Boston Red Sox to Nationals Park on April 3 for an exhibition game. There are a few things that this one exhibition game means: Published October 14 2011
Former Nationals bench coach (and interim manager for three eventful games in Chicago this past June following Jim Riggleman's resignation) John McLaren has gotten word that his name was on the Mets' list for their open bench coach and first base coach jobs and is "hopeful to get an interview," he said Wednesday. He has not, however, been contacted just yet by their front office. Published October 12 2011
The Nationals contingent at the Arizona Fall League is finally complete with left-hander Matt Purke ditching Instructional League for the Fall League and arriving in Arizona on Tuesday night. With the seven members of the Scottsdale Scorpions that call Washington their parent organization now all in attendance, I thought it'd be a good time to check out how the Nats top prospects are faring thus far. Published October 12 2011
The New York Mets will interview former Nationals manager Jim Riggleman this week for the bench coach vacancy on manager Terry Collins' staff, a source has confirmed to the Washington Times. Published October 10 2011
By Rand Paul
Obama acts as though we no longer have a Constitution
