Sunday, January 31, 2010

Nats players would welcome Hudson

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- Several players on the Nationals -- pitcher Jason Marquis, catcher Ivan Rodriguez and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman -- reiterated Sunday how much they want free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson on the team.

Nats players would welcome Hudson....

Nats pay visit to children's hospital

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals showed Saturday that baseball wasn't the only thing on their minds. They showed a softer side to the kids at the Children's National Medical Center.

Nats pay visit to children's hospital....

Friday, January 29, 2010

Nationals, Dunn begin extension talk

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals and first baseman Adam Dunn talked about a contract extension on Friday, but Dunn said the talks are at "Stage 0" at this point.

Nationals, Dunn begin extension talk....

Dunn: Hudson wants to sign with Nats

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- First baseman Adam Dunn said Friday that free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson wants to sign with the Nationals. Dunn went so far to say that the club is Hudson's top choice.

Dunn: Hudson wants to sign with Nats....

Nationals sign Batista to Minor League deal

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals have signed right-hander Miguel Batista to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Nationals sign Batista to Minor League deal....

Nationals among Cabrera's suitors

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

The Nationals would like to sign free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, but his asking price continues to be too high, according to a baseball source.

Nationals among Cabrera's suitors....

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Walker joins Nats with one-year pact

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

The Nationals made it official with Tyler Walker on Thursday by signing the free-agent reliever to a one-year, $650,000 contract.

Walker joins Nats with one-year pact....

Livan interested in returning to Nats

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

Free-agent right-hander Livan Hernandez reiterated on Wednesday night that he would like to re-sign with the Nationals because he believes they have improved their roster this offseason. He pointed to the acquisition of catcher Ivan Rodriguez as the reason he wants to return.

Livan interested in returning to Nats....

Strasburg ranks No. 2 on prospect list

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

The MLB Network announced the Top 50 Prospects in baseball on Wednesday, and Nationals right-handers Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen ranked second and 40th, respectively.

Strasburg ranks No. 2 on prospect list....

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Dave Matthews Band to play Nats Park

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

Dave Matthews Band announced Tuesday they will perform at Nationals Park on July 23. The Zac Brown Band also will be on the bill.

The show will be held rain or shine and will be promoted by Live Nation.

Dave Matthews Band to play Nats Park....

Nationals remain in mix for Hudson

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals have a good chance of signing free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, according to a baseball source.

Nationals remain in mix for Hudson....

Nationals sign reliever Walker

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- Right-hander Tyler Walker agreed to terms on a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Nationals on Monday, according to two baseball sources. The club also signed outfielder Chris Duncan and left-hander Chuck James to Minor League deals with an invitation to Spring Training.

Nationals sign reliever Walker....

Monday, January 25, 2010

Storen has sights set on big things in '10

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- Besides trying to make the Opening Day roster, Nationals right-hander Drew Storen plans to pick the brains of teammates Eddie Guardado, Matt Capps and Brian Bruney.

Storen has sights set on big things in '10....

Nationals interested in Cabrera

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals continue to search for a second baseman in case they are unable to sign free-agent Orlando Hudson. In fact, they have interest in free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

Nationals interested in Cabrera....

Spring Training tickets go on sale Saturday

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

Nationals individual Spring Training tickets for Space Coast Stadium will go on sale at nationals.com beginning Saturday at 10 a.m. ET.

Spring Training tickets go on sale Saturday....

Nats interested in free agent Jacobs

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday on the MLB Network that he has interest in free-agent first baseman Mike Jacobs.

Nats interested in free agent Jacobs....

Willingham not bothered by trade rumors

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- After the 2009 season came to an end, Josh Willingham often heard his name in trade rumors. Teams such as the Mets, Braves and Rangers were reportedly interested in the Nationals left fielder.

Willingham not bothered by trade rumors....

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Nats avoid arbitration with four

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

The Nationals took care of four arbitration-eligible players on Tuesday afternoon, when they agreed on one-year contracts with right-hander Jason Bergmann, catchers Jesus Flores and Wil Nieves and outfielder Josh Willingham.

Nats avoid arbitration with four....

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Nats potential suitors for Sheets

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals are sending scouts to Monroe, La., to watch free-agent pitcher Ben Sheets throw Tuesday, according to a baseball source. The session will take place at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Nats potential suitors for Sheets....

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Q&A: Zimmerman talks Nats' moves

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

From a personal standpoint, Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had a season to remember in 2009, leading the team in RBIs with 106 and making his first All-Star appearance.

A little more than a month after the season ended, Zimmerman, 25, won his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards.

But reaching personal goals is not enough for Zimmerman in 2010. He wants the Nationals to have a winning percentage over .500 and reach the postseason for the first time in their history.

Will Zimmerman get his wishes? Before playing golf in Florida on Sunday afternoon, Zimmerman expressed his opinion on the topics in an interview with MLB.com.

Q&A: Zimmerman talks Nats' moves....

Hudson: Nationals still in mix

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson said Friday afternoon that the Nationals are still in the mix to acquire his services.

Hudson: Nationals still in mix....

Friday, January 15, 2010

Morgan wants Hudson to join Nats

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- Nationals center fielder Nyjer Morgan said Thursday that he would love to have free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson as a teammate.

Morgan wants Hudson to join Nats....

Nats' Guzman could stay at shortstop

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

If the Nationals are able to sign Orlando Hudson or Adam Kennedy to play second base, Cristian Guzman most likely will remain at shortstop.

Nats' Guzman could stay at shortstop....

Nationals have interest in Kennedy

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

If the Nationals are not able to sign Orlando Hudson, look for them to set their sights on Adam Kennedy to play second base, according to a baseball source.

Nationals have interest in Kennedy....

MLB pitching in for devastated Haiti

By Mark Newman / MLB.com

Make a donation now to relief efforts


Major League Baseball, its clubs, its players and its fans are participating in rapid relief efforts for the devastated nation of Haiti, which remains in a state of chaos amid widespread fatalities and destruction following a 7.0-magnitude earthquake.

MLB pitching in for devastated Haiti....

Desmond ready to take over at shortstop

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

When the name Ian Desmond comes up in a conversation, the feelings in the Nationals organization are mixed when it comes to his abilities on the field.

Desmond ready to take over at shortstop....

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Nats were in Chapman race until end

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals tried hard to acquire left-hander Aroldis Chapman until Saturday night, when Chapman decided to sign a six-year, $30 million deal with the Reds.

Nats were in Chapman race until end....

Davis has interest in Nationals

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

Free-agent pitcher Doug Davis said Sunday night he would like to play for the Nationals and help their young pitching staff, but he doesn't think he will play in Washington. Why? He was informed that the team had to address other needs such as finding a second baseman.

Davis has interest in Nationals....

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Winn unaware of interest from Nats

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

Published reports have indicated that the Nationals have interest in signing free-agent outfielder Randy Winn. On Friday evening, however, Winn said he has not heard anything about the Nationals having interest in him.

Winn unaware of interest from Nats....

Friday, January 8, 2010

Balky knees carry Hawk all the way to Hall

By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The newest Hall of Famer was asked on Thursday whether he was more comfortable taking a seat to talk with reporters rather than standing to field questions immediately after his 35-minute news conference.

He chose to stand. And this is a man who has already had two left knee-replacement surgeries and is looking down the gullet at a third one, on his right knee.

Balky knees carry Hawk all the way to Hall....

Nats outright Garate to Triple-A

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

In order to clear space on the 40-man roster for the recently signed Matt Capps, the Nationals outrighted left-hander Victor Garate to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

Nats outright Garate to Triple-A....

Dawson's Hall cap to be determined

By Doug Miller / MLB.com

Hats off to Andre Dawson for being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but now the discussion can move to which hat will be on when he gets there.

Dawson's Hall cap to be determined....

Dawson earns long-awaited Hall call

By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- On the sixth day of the new decade, "The Hawk" took flight.

After waiting eight long years to make it to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Andre Dawson is this year's sole electee, it was announced on Wednesday. Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven, who came oh so close, will have to wait another year.

Dawson earns long-awaited Hall call....

Nats' Winter Caravan, Natsfest return

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

The Nationals' Winter Caravan is back.

The club announced on Thursday its schedule for the 2010 version, a four-day slate that will take members of the Nationals through Washington, D.C.'s, metropolitan area, then conclude with the second annual Natsfest at Nationals Park.

The tour will start Wednesday, Jan. 27, and finish Jan. 30. The following day -- a Sunday -- will be Natsfest. Nationals manager Jim Riggleman will be there, and so will players Ryan Zimmerman, Ivan Rodriguez, Nyjer Morgan, Adam Dunn, John Lannan, Josh Willingham, Brian Bruney, Matt Capps, Tyler Clippard, Danny Espinosa, Ryan Speier, Craig Stammen and Drew Storen, as well as broadcaster Rob Dibble.

Nats' Winter Caravan, Natsfest return....

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Capps, Nats finalize one-year deal

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- After agreeing to terms on a one-year deal right before Christmas, right-hander Matt Capps signed a contract with the Nationals on Wednesday.

Capps, Nats finalize one-year deal....

Dukes' expectations raised for 2010

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

Call July 1, 2009, the day Nationals right fielder Elijah Dukes was humbled. It was in Miami, where Washington general manager Mike Rizzo informed Dukes that he was being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

The Nationals felt Dukes made too many fundamental mistakes in the outfield and on the bases.

Dukes' expectations raised for 2010....

Jim Riggleman to have pregame segment on radio

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman will have a pregame segment on WFED Federal News Radio starting April 5, when his team faces the Phillies at Nationals Park. Riggleman is the first Nationals manager to have such a segment.

Jim Riggleman to have pregame segment on radio....

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Norris nabs MiLBY for advanced approach

By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com

Getting through that first year of full-season professional baseball is hard enough. Try doing it while spending 100 games squatting behind the plate, learning the nuances of catching.

Norris nabs MiLBY for advanced approach....

Nationals have higher hopes for 2010

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

General manager Mike Rizzo has done his best to improve the Nationals this offseason, signing free agents like catcher Ivan Rodriguez and pitchers Jason Marquis, Matt Capps and Eddie Guardado. They also traded for reliever Brian Bruney.

But there are still 10 burning questions about Washington heading into Spring Training. MLB.com answers those questions and provides insight on what might happen to the team in 2010.

Nationals have higher hopes for 2010....