Nationals Trade Rumors

Nats swap with Bucs, acquire Morgan
Comment
July 1
MLB.com
 
"The Nationals have traded reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to the Pirates for reliever Sean Burnett and outfielder Nyjer Morgan on Tuesday afternoon. Morgan is considered the key to the deal for Washington. He was acquired to improve the team's outfield defense, which is one of the worst in the National League. The Nationals see Morgan as a center fielder/leadoff hitter. Washington also likes his hockey attitude. He once played with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League during the 1999-2000 season. Morgan was playing left field and batting second for Pittsburgh. Entering Tuesday's action, Morgan is hitting .277 with two home runs, 27 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. ..."
Nats, Bucs Closing In On Deal
Comment
June 30
Washington Post
 
"The Nationals are close to finalizing a deal that would send Lastings Milledge to Pittsburgh in exchange for Nyjer Morgan, a team source said. I'm still trying to uncover the final wrinkle in this trade, though. It probably includes one other player that the Nats will send to Pittsburgh. Morgan, who turns 29 on Thursday, represents that sort of player that Washington previously overlooked. He excels defensively, steals bases, and hits for adequate average but minimal power."
Mike Morse traded for outfielder Ryan Langerhans
Comment
June 28
Seattle Times
 
"Jack Zduriencik just announced that the Mariners have acquired outfielder Ryan Langerhans from the Nationals for Mike Morse. Langerhans, a left-handed hitter, plays all three outfield positions as well as first base. Though Langerhans characterized it as a minor-league trade, all indications are that Langerhans will be joining the Mariners Tuesday in New York. "This gives us a degree of flexibility,'' Zduriencik said. "We thought it was important to add another guy like this.'' The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Langerhans, 29, was hitting .278 (57x205) with 16 doubles, 9 home runs and 40 RBI in 64 games for Class AAA Syracuse. Langerhans has appeared in the majors in parts of the past seven seasons ..."
10 most likely to be traded - Infielders
Comment
June 25
NBC Sports
 
"Mark DeRosa (Indians) - With Grady Sizemore back, the Indians aren't likely to sell just yet. Still, at least as big of a problem as being 10 games behind is that they have four teams ahead of them in the AL Central. DeRosa has been talked about as trade bait for close to two months now, and the Indians have soured on him as a third baseman after originally acquiring him to play the position. Given that he's on pace for about 30 homers and 110 RBI, it shouldn't be a problem getting more for him in trade than they would by letting him walk for draft picks at season's end. Garrett Atkins (Rockies) - It certainly doesn't bode well for Atkins' future in Colorado that he's been given a total of ..."
Nats will be in tough battle with Boras
Comment
June 24
Foxsports.com
 
"My advice to Nationals fans is not to read anything concerning the Stephen Strasburg negotiations until after midnight Aug. 17, the deadline for the team to reach agreement with the No. 1 draft. Everyone else, enjoy the drama. The Nationals fully expect Strasburg's adviser, Scott Boras, to leverage them from D.C. to San Diego. But most everyone in baseball agrees that Strasburg eventually will agree to a record deal in the range of $15 million to $18 million. "Most everyone," though, does not necessarily include Boras, who proved with right-hander Luke Hochevar in 2005 that he is perfectly willing to hold out an amateur pitcher for an entire year and re-enter him in the following draft. ..."
Rizzo: Acta reports untrue
Comment
June 17
Washington Times
 
"With uncertainty about his job status swirling around Manny Acta since reports first surfaced that the Washington Nationals manager was about to be fired, Acta has maintained his usual sense of calm, saying he doesn't read or listen to what's said about him. But Acta wants to know where he stands in the organization. He talked with team president Stan Kasten and acting general manager Mike Rizzo after FoxSports.com first reported Acta's impeding dismissal Saturday. They assured him that day, he said, that the report was inaccurate. "I spoke to them the same day it came out. It's a rumor," Acta said. Rizzo spoke publicly about the reports for the first time before Tuesday's game with the ..."
Deals that might work for the Mets
Comment
June 16
ESPN.com
 
"The Mets have been blasted by an injury tsunami during the past month, and players seemingly have dropped by the hour, from Carlos Delgado to Jose Reyes, J.J. Putz to John Maine. Their 15-0 loss to the Yankees on Sunday had some Mets fans calling into talk radio shows in New York, seemingly trying to decide whether to vault off the Whitestone Bridge or the Throgs Neck Bridge. Tough choice. But club executives are a little more circumspect. Although the Phillies look like the better team right now, the Mets theoretically remain one good week from making up a four-game deficit in the National League East, and they figure to be right in the thick of the wild-card race. So although the Mets ..."
Nats' Johnson on Rangers' radar
Comment
June 16
Foxsports.com
 (scroll down)
"The bullpen is the Rangers' biggest concern — the team's relievers have allowed the second-highest opponents' OPS in the American League, ahead of only the Angels. The Rangers, however, also would like to upgrade their rotation, and remain the leading contender to sign free-agent right-hander Ben Sheets, who is recovering from elbow surgery. Another issue is the offense, which is averaging only 3.25 runs per game in June. Club officials have discussed making a run at Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, sources say. Such a move, however, appears unlikely. If the Rangers replace Chris Davis — who leads the majors with 92 strikeouts and owns the lowest OPS of any regular first baseman — ..."
Acta looks safe through Thursday
Comment
June 16
Washington Times
 
"The Manny Acta watch apparently will continue for at least another day - and possibly through Thursday or longer. The Washington Nationals did not announce the firing of the third-year manager Monday, and a team spokesman said Acta was in New York for the start of the Nationals' three-game series against the Yankees on Tuesday. If Acta is not let go before Tuesday night's game, it would stand to reason he will survive at least through the Yankees series, rather than handing the reins over to bench coach (and prospective interim manager) Jim Riggleman in the middle of what might be the Nationals' toughest road series of the year. Reports surfaced this past weekend that the Nationals were ..."
So Far, No Action on Acta
Comment
June 16
Washington Post
 
"A day without a firing is merely an incremental job extension, and for Manny Acta, the latest extension means he'll get another day to manage, another series and another chance. With an off day on Monday, the Washington Nationals retained their manager and said nothing publicly about his job security, an indication that the organization is still uncertain if, and when, to make a move. So long as the Lerner ownership group and team president Stan Kasten deliberate, Acta will continue through his third and most difficult season with the Nationals on a series-to-series basis. Over the weekend, a national media report suggested that Acta would lose his job within days. Though Acta has now ..."
Nationals could replace Acta with Valentine
Comment
June 15
SI.com
 
"Manny Acta appears to be on his way out as Nationals manager, and while respected ex-big league manager Jim Riggleman reportedly will be installed as the interim manager, team higher-ups also have begun internal discussions about permanent candidates. One of those candidates to replace Acta, according to National League sources, is Bobby Valentine, who is currently in his seventh season as manager of the Chiba Lotte Mariners in Japan. No outside candidates have surfaced for Acta's job to date, but word is that interim GM Mike Rizzo will consider Valentine, who would seem on the surface to be the perfect fit for a young, rebuilding team with public relations and attendance issues. It isn't ..."
Acta Is Still Manager -- for Now
Comment
June 14
Washington Post
 
"Manny Acta always has said a manager is hired to get fired. On the day a report surfaced suggesting his time on the job is now measured in days, the Washington Nationals' skipper was surrounded by the man who hired him and the man who, according to the report, will replace him. Hours before Saturday's game against Tampa Bay, a Fox Sports report, citing major league sources, suggested that Acta will be fired by week's end and replaced with bench coach Jim Riggleman. Team President Stan Kasten neither confirmed nor denied the report, saying: "I would never talk about personnel, because I don't. I've been asked a variation of that question [about Acta's job security] -- from some media ..."
Strasburg contract expected to be headed for the record books
Comment
June 12
Washington Examiner
 
"The rumors have floated for months. San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg was such a superior draft prospect that his agent, Scott Boras, would ask for the moon during contract negotiations. The Nationals will soon find out how true those rumors were. They have until Aug. 17th to satisfy Boras, the game's most notorious negotiator. One thing is for sure -- the record $10.5 million major-league contract signed by USC pitcher Mark Prior in 2001 will be broken. But the question is by how much? A teleconference with Boras on Wednesday morning opened a window into his thoughts as he prepares to meet with Nats acting general manager Mike Rizzo. Washington selected Strasburg No. 1 overall ..."
Signing Strasburg likely to take time
Comment
June 11
Washington Times
 
"From the way he sounded Wednesday, Stephen Strasburg is content to ride out much of his summer before signing a deal with the Washington Nationals. The San Diego State pitcher, taken by the Nationals with the No. 1 pick in Tuesday's MLB draft, conducted a conference call along with his adviser, Scott Boras, on Wednesday morning and indicated he's expecting to work out and bide his time through the negotiation process. The Nationals must reach a deal with Strasburg by Aug. 17 under MLB rules. "Obviously, I'm going to get back in and start working out. Actually, I may take a week off and then get after it again, try to take my game to the next level," Strasburg said. "Obviously I'm going to ..."
The price of drafting high
Comment
June 9
Washington Times
 
"The Washington Nationals' work will be just beginning if, as expected, they select Stephen Strasburg with the first pick in the Major League Baseball draft Tuesday. What will follow is weeks of grappling with a most difficult and - for baseball - far-reaching question: How much money should this highly touted hurler be awarded before he dons a major league uniform? $10 million? $20 million? $50 million? The reported contract figures certainly are out there. "There are numbers thrown around that are absolutely crazy for a guy who's never thrown a pitch in major league baseball," said Steve Phillips, a former general manager with the New York Mets who's now a baseball analyst with ESPN. The ..."
Strasburg Signing Could Be Historic
Comment
June 9
Washington Post
 
"They are separated by 2,700 miles, a negotiating gap that could be as large as $40 million and a philosophical chasm regarding players' rights that has had them at each other's throats on more than one occasion. But this summer, old rivals Scott Boras and Stan Kasten are likely to be brought together again, at their familiar spots on opposite sides of the table, for a negotiation that will impact the futures of a 20-year-old pitcher named Stephen Strasburg, the Washington Nationals franchise and perhaps the sport of baseball as well. With the Nationals set to select Strasburg, the already-legendary San Diego State right-hander, with the first overall pick of today's Major League Baseball ..."
One pitching phenom and many questions await Tuesday's start of baseball's amateur draft
Comment
June 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Washington Nationals will be hard-pressed to mess up this one. With the first pick in the MLB draft, the Nationals are going toStephen Strasburg, a right-handed pitcher from San Diego State. If they do not, an investigation will commence and the Nationals franchise ordered back to Montreal. Strasburg, a junior, is far and away the best player available this year. (Las Vegas phenom Bryce Harper, labeled baseball's LeBron by Sports Illustrated, still has high school eligibility.) The 50-round draft begins Tuesday and runs through Thursday. Rounds 1-3 will be televised by MLB Network Tuesday. The Indians own the 15th pick in the first round. Their second selection is No. 63. Cleveland ..."
Nats hope Strasburg isn't this year's Bane
Comment
June 6
MLB.com
 
"The story goes something like this:In 2004, the Angels selected Jered Weaver in the first round of the First-Year Player Draft. Weaver, perhaps the top college arm in that class, had put up eye-popping numbers in his junior season. His advisor, Scott Boras, sent a letter to the Angels and scouting director Eddie Bane, comparing Weaver's stats to Mark Prior's ridiculous junior season at USC as a means to justify his bonus demands.Bane went 40-4 with a 1.64 ERA in his college career at Arizona State and was one of 20 players since the Draft began in 1965 to go straight to the big leagues after being taken by the Twins with the 11th overall pick in 1973. He told longtime college baseball ..."
Willingham could return this weekend
Comment
June 6
Washington Times
 
"After missing three games with a stomach virus that left him weak and unable to play, outfielder Josh Willingham turned a corner Friday, swinging in the batting cage before the Washington Nationals' game against the New York Mets. Manager Manny Acta said he would consult with Willingham about his availability, but there's a good chance Willingham could be back in the lineup before the end of the weekend. Willingham had originally thought he would return after missing one game, but the virus hung on longer than he expected. It has robbed the Nationals of one of their best power hitters - Willingham is third on the team with nine homers - and forced the struggling Austin Kearns into the ..."
The Acta watch begins
Comment
June 2
Washington Examiner
 
"The Wizards fired coach Eddie Jordan just 11 games into the 2008-09 season. The Caps needed 21 games to let Glen Hanlon go in 2007. Even the Redskins once fired Norv Turner with three games remaining in the 2000 season -- a rarity in the stability-conscious NFL. Now a firing watch must begin for Nats manager Manny Acta, too. His team returns to the District with 18 losses in the last 21 games and, at 13-36, has by far the worst record in Major League Baseball. The situation is clear -- if Acta's club doesn't improve soon, the Nats will make a change just on principle. But how much of this debacle is really Acta's fault? Certainly not the defense. Throughout an entire 11-game homestand last ..."
Fla. man with steroids claim may face charges
Comment
May 29
Washington Times
 
"A Florida man who claims to have sold steroids to members of the Washington Nationals and Washington Capitals could face federal charges in connection with the seizure of thousands of dollars worth of the illegal drugs, state law enforcement officials said. Detectives from Polk County and agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are expected to meet Friday with federal attorneys in Florida to discuss the case of Richard "Andy" Thomas, who was arrested Tuesday with his wife, Sandra, and charged locally with 21 counts of possessing and importing steroids. R. Andy Thomas, as he is referred to in court documents, made his first appearance in court Thursday and will remain in jail ..."
Steroids dealer boasts sales to Nats, Caps
Comment
May 28
Washington Times
 
"A husband and wife arrested in one of the largest steroid raids in Florida history say they sold the illegal performance-enhancing substances to players on the Washington Nationals and Washington Capitals. The Polk County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday arrested Richard and Sandra Thomas on 10 counts of steroid possession with intent to distribute, 10 counts of importing the drugs and one count of maintaining a dwelling for drug sales. Mr. Thomas told detectives that he sold steroids to professional athletes in several sports and named the Capitals and Nationals as teams whose players were his clients, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. " 'Name the sport - if they played it, I sold it,' " ..."
Players Puzzled, Amused By Steroid Arrests in Fla.
Comment
May 28
Washington Post
 
"By the time the Washington Nationals reported to Citi Field on Monday, most had read or heard about the Lakeland, Fla., man who claims he sold performance-enhancing drugs to professional athletes, including players on the Nationals and Capitals. But even the players who had an interest in the story's specifics encountered a problem: For now, they couldn't find many. Richard and Sandra Thomas, arrested in a steroid bust, gave law enforcement officials the names of teams, but not the names of individuals. "It's just, what else can happen to us?" Adam Dunn said. "It's just kind of piling on. Again, to me that is the last thing I'm worried about, some guy saying whatever he said about us." ..."
Capitals, Nats Are Named in Drug Bust
Comment
May 28
Washington Post
 
"A massive drug bust in a small town in central Florida entangled the Washington Nationals and Capitals late Tuesday when a man found with $200,000 worth of steroids and other drugs in his home named those teams, and no others, when police inquired whether any professional athletes were among his clients. But the sheriff handling the case in Polk County said detectives had no evidence other than the claims of the man, Richard Thomas, 35, who bragged while in detention that he had sold performance-enhancing drugs to players in a variety of pro sports without providing names, numbers of clients, time frames or validating documentation. "I sent a supervisor in with a detective, and [Thomas] ..."
Nick Johnson wouldn't be against bringing first aid to Mets
Comment
May 27
New York Daily News
 
"Nick Johnson earned his stripes in the Bronx and he suffered a broken leg in a horrific collision three years ago at Shea. But the ex-Yank isn't averse to returning to New York if the Mets seek to acquire him from Washington as a possible replacement for injured first baseman Carlos Delgado. "I can't worry about rumors or any of that stuff, I just have to go play. If it happens, it does; if I'm here, great," Johnson said before going 0-for-4 in the Mets' 6-1 victory last night. "I don't deal with anything until it happens.... But I enjoyed (New York). Fans are into it, they want to win. It's all about winning and that's what I want to play for, to get that ring on my finger. I definitely ..."
Trade winds begin as a breeze
Comment
May 27
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Last week's Jake Peavy(notes) near-trade demonstrated that not only will the Padres' ace dictate his relocation terms, but that the annual swapping season will heat up well before the July 31 trading deadline. Here are some developments to watch in the coming days and weeks: • The New York Mets retain keen interest in Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson(notes), to the point where the Nationals have scouts watching the Mets' Triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y., and Double-A team in Binghamton, N.Y., evaluating pitchers Jon Niese, Mike Antonini and Eddie Kunz(notes) among others. The Mets need a first baseman because Carlos Delgado(notes) could be out for two months after hip surgery. ..."
High-level source says Cain not being dangled
Comment
May 25
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Some years back, there was a Giants beat reporter who was king of the "knockdown note." Whenever you wrote a little trade rumor or some other tidbit, he would come back the next day and say it wasn't true. I used to joke that he programmed his computer so he could hit one key that typed, "Contrary to yesterday's Chronicle...." Just to save himself some keystrokes. Here I am, though, with a knockdown note of my own, which I hate to do because I have the utmost respect for the reporting ability of my talented friend and San Jose Mercury competitor Andrew Baggarly. I don't know if I'm right. I don't know if he's right. But the fact is, he wrote a rather jarring paragraph that said the Giants ..."
Nats have faith they can sign Strasburg
Comment
May 19
MLB.com
 
"It was Aug. 15, 2008. The Nationals could not reach an agreement with right-hander Aaron Crow, their first-round selection and the ninth overall pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, by the midnight ET deadline. Money turned out to be the sticking point. The two parties were $900,000 apart -- the difference between $3.5 million and $4.4 million -- from reaching a deal. Several sources familiar with the negotiations said that neither Jim Bowden, then the general manager, nor Crow's advisors, Alan and Randy Hendricks, would budge to get a deal done. Fast forward to June 9 of this year. The Nationals have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 Draft and they are expected toSan Diego State ..."
Strasburg stays in minors?
Comment
May 19
Washington Times
 
"If the Washington Nationals draft San Diego State right-hander Stephen Strasburg next month, indications are the presumptive No. 1 pick won't spend much time in the District this season - even if he signs quickly. The Nationals likely will keep Strasburg in the minors for most of whatever length of time they have him this year, a club source said Monday. Though there's a possibility Strasburg could make a late-season appearance to draw some attention - like Ross Detwiler did in 2007 - Washington likely will wait until 2010 before inserting him into the starting rotation. The chief reason is that Strasburg, by the time he signs with the Nationals, will have thrown 100-plus innings and then ..."
Detwiler to Be Recalled To Pitch Against Pirates
Comment
May 17
Washington Post
 
"Ross Detwiler, Washington's 2007 first-round pick, was supposed to pitch tonight's Class AA Harrisburg game against the Reading Phillies. Instead, he started making travel arrangements. The Nationals scratched Detwiler from his minor league start, and plan to recall the left-hander for a spot start in the big leagues tomorrow, two sources said. Detwiler has had an up-and-down career since being drafted sixth overall two years ago, but this year, in six starts for the Class AA Senators, Detwiler is 0-3 with a 2.96 ERA. Only once has he allowed more than two earned runs. The Nationals need a starter for tomorrow's game against Pittsburgh because of yesterday's doubleheader. Detwiler, 23, ..."
Quick-Healing Beimel Eager to Rejoin Bullpen
Comment
May 1
Washington Post
 
"No longer is Joe Beimel hurting. He's just itching. On the disabled list since April 21, the Washington Nationals' best relief pitcher (1.23 ERA) now has an entirely healthy left hip flexor and a gnawing desire to pitch again. "I mean, I'm fine now," Beimel said yesterday. "I was fine after about three days. It was one of those things where nobody expected it to heal that quickly." As a result, Beimel is waiting, and "itching to get back out there," he said. While counting down the minutes until his return -- Beimel will rejoin the Nationals on Wednesday, his first day of eligibility -- the left-hander has followed a peripatetic schedule. Two days ago, he was in Viera, Fla., working out at ..."
Nats acquire Kensing from Marlins
Comment
April 29
MLB.com
 
"In need of bullpen help, the Nationals acquired right-hander Logan Kensing from the Marlins for Minor League pitcher Kyle Gunderson on Wednesday. The Nationals did not announce when Kensing will join the team, however, he is expected to pitch in the middle to late innings. This season, Kensing pitched in six games for Florida and gave up eight runs in 7 1/3 innings. His best season was in 2008, when he went 3-1 with a 4.23 ERA."
Interest in Pedro
Comment
April 25
Washington Post
 (scroll down)
"Acting general manager Mike Rizzo said on Friday that his team does in fact have some interest in current free agent pitcher Pedro Martínez, who might be willing to sign with a team within the next few weeks -- provided a team meets his price. He is said to be seeking up to $5 million. "Early on we had mild interest," Rizzo said, "and I would say it's probably still at a mild interest. If the price were right we'd consider it, just to give us a little more depth."
Nationals, Zimmerman agree to new contract
Comment
April 20
Baltimore Sun
 
"Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a new contract, reportedly worth $45 million over five years. The team is planning a news conference Monday to make a formal announcement. Zimmerman was a first-round draft pick out of the University of Virginia in 2005. In 2006, he was the runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year voting after batting .287 with 20 homers and 110 RBIs. Injuries limited Zimmerman to 106 games last season, when he hit .283 with 14 homers and 51 RBIs. More Nationals: Washington is revamping its struggling bullpen, which is 0-5 with a 6.48 ERA. Right-hander Saul Rivera and catcher Josh Bard were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. ..."
Zimmerman Agrees to Five-Year Deal
Comment
April 20
Washington Post
 
"Until at least 2013, Ryan Zimmerman will be under contract with the Washington Nationals -- the team that drafted him, and the team that has now affirmed his role in its future. Zimmerman and the Nationals have agreed to a five-year, $45 million deal, two industry sources said last night. A news conference is expected today. The agreement ends years of negotiations between the club and Zimmerman's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, and signals Washington's interest in retaining the young core of its team. Zimmerman has always been identified as its most important part. Drafted in the first round in 2005, Zimmerman became a full-time starter just one year later. Though he has never been an ..."
Zimmerman, Nats agree to new deal
Comment
April 20
Washington Times
 
"The Washington Nationals' negotiations on a long-term contract for third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, which spanned nearly three seasons and two front-office executives, finally reached a fruitful conclusion. The team agreed to a long-term contract with Zimmerman on Sunday night and will announce the deal Monday, according to three sources with knowledge of the deal. Terms were not immediately available, but it is believed Zimmerman and the Nationals were talking about a deal in the range of $9 million a year to run through at least 2013. The contract brings to a conclusion the team's efforts to sign its 2005 first-round pick to a deal that would buy out the first several years of Zimmerman's ..."
Zimmerman, Nats Appear Close to Deal
Comment
April 18
Washington Post
 
"Long touted as the principal building block of his franchise, Ryan Zimmerman is expected to soon sign a contract that substantiates that role. The Washington Nationals, making their biggest financial commitment since relocation, are moving toward a five-year, $45 million extension with their third baseman, a source said. Though the deal is not yet finalized, a contract announcement could come within the next few days. A long-term deal with Zimmerman would culminate some three years of negotiations and satisfy the team's longstanding desire to keep its 2005 first-round pick in Washington. The deal would begin this year, wiping out the current one-year, $3.325 million contract Zimmerman ..."
Nats, Zimmerman Closing In on Extension
Comment
April 17
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Nationals are moving toward a 5-year, $45 million extension with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, a source said. The deal is not yet finalized, but indications are that the contract could be announced within the next few days. A long-term deal with Zimmerman would culminate almost three years of negotiations and satisfy the team's longstanding desire to keep their 2005 first-round pick in Washington. The deal would begin this year, wiping out the current one-year, $3.325 million contract Zimmerman signed with the Nationals in February. It would continue through 2013. Without a new contract, Zimmerman is eligible for free agency after the 2011 season. Zimmerman missed almost two ..."
A quick hook for Acta?
Comment
April 14
Washington Examiner
 columnist Rick Snider
"Is Manny Acta on the clock? The Nationals manager is a great baseball man. A nice guy, a good role model. But the Nats sank to 0-7 on Monday with another error-filled outing. The team may soon be forced to change skippers, if only for shock value. Nobody agreed with the Wizards dismissing Eddie Jordan at 1-10, but the Nats are more attendance-prone this season. Fans started leaving in the sixth inning of the 9-8 loss to Philadelphia, and you wonder how many will return. The Nats can't punish general manager Jim Bowden anymore. He's gone. Now the search for a scapegoat comes to Acta, who's 132-198 in two-plus seasons. He was given little, but at some point you still have to win. "I'm a ..."
Obama's out at home
Comment
April 10
Washington Times
 
"President Obama won't throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Washington Nationals' home opener Monday. According to a White House aide, Obama will decline the team's invitation to throw the pitch before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies, brushing back a presidential tradition that dates to 1910. The White House last month told the Nationals, who have a standing invitation to the president to throw out the pitch at the home opener each season, that Obama would attend, provided his schedule didn't change because of world events. On Wednesday, the club announced pregame festivities for the home opener but made no mention of who would throw the first pitch. A team official ..."
Scott 'an option' at first base
Comment
April 5
Baltimore Sun
 
"Luke Scott played first base in Thursday's exhibition game and will be an option there during the regular season, Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "I think he's an option there for us, though I don't think he's the first one by any means," Trembley said before Saturday's exhibition finale against the Washington Nationals. "The key with Luke is to get his bat in the lineup." With Felix Pie in left field, Scott will probably get most of his at-bats at designated hitter. He has never played first base in the major leagues and ranks behind Aubrey Huff and Ty Wigginton on the club's depth chart. "Of course, I could probably use more reps and practice to get comfortable there," Scott said. ..."
Nats still crowded in right
Comment
March 24
Washington Times
 
"The Washington Nationals played a Grapefruit League game Monday for the 23rd time this spring. They reported to Space Coast Stadium 11 days before the exhibition season even began. It has been a long spring, and the combination of weariness over another bus ride down Interstate 95 and eagerness for the regular season to start is evident on players' faces. So, too, is the realization that time is running out for the dozen or so players still battling for perhaps half as many available spots on the Opening Day roster. "You try not to think about that stuff," one Nationals player on the bubble said. "Most of it is out of your hands by now anyways. The best you can do is to just try to make ..."
Jays in the hunt for Mississauga's Hill
Comment
March 23
Toronto Sun
 
"The Blue Jays expect to know within the next few days whether they have landed Mississauga native Shawn Hill, who became a free agent last week when he was released by the Washington Nationals. The 27-year-old righthanded pitcher who underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2005, had further surgery last year to remove calcium deposits from the elbow and had pitched just twice before being released. He is believed to be sifting through several offers. "He's a smart kid who's weighing his options," Blue Jays assistant general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "We like him a lot." If Hill signed with Toronto, he would not be competing immediately for a big-league job but be assigned to ..."
Jays to sign Mississauga native Shawn Hill
Comment
March 22
Toronto Star
 
"The Jays anticipate a deal with Mississauga's Shawn Hill as soon as he clears release waivers from the Washington Nationals. The 27-year-old pitcher has made just 37 big-league starts since 2004. "We wouldn't be signing him to come in here and make the major-league staff," Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said. "We'd have to get him up to speed, kind of like (former major-leaguer) Wade Miller (currently in minor-league camp). "We're just trying to get as many arms as we can in here. We know the young kids are going to struggle. ... We're trying to put them in spots they might not be ready for. We get some veteran guys here and they can hold the fort down."
Team Still Hopes to Sign Zimmerman
Comment
March 4
Washington Post
 
"Jim Bowden's resignation as general manager has not interfered with the Washington Nationals' hope to reach a contract extension for third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. On Tuesday, President Stan Kasten met in person with Zimmerman's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, to discuss a familiar subject -- a long-term deal -- in somewhat altered circumstances. Before this discussion, the latest in an attempt to strike a deal before Opening Day, Bowden always represented Washington in the talks. Since Bowden's resignation on Sunday, Kasten has assumed a dual role as team president and GM. The sides had last talked less than two weeks ago, when Bowden was in Phoenix with Van Wagenen for Zimmerman's potential ..."
Nationals' G.M. Resigns as Scandal Deepens
Comment
March 2
New York Times
 
"Jim Bowden resigned as the general manager of the Washington Nationals on Sunday, representing the most prominent figure yet to lose his job in the wake of investigations into the skimming of signing bonuses for Dominican prospects. Bowden left the Nationals' spring training complex under the cloud of a federal investigation over whether baseball scouts and executives accepted kickbacks from bonuses that were originally promised to Latin American signees. He has not been charged. Reading from a statement, Bowden denied what he called "false allegations, insinuations and innuendoes by the press." "There have been no charges made," he insisted, "and there has been no indication that parties ..."
Nats sources say GM's job in jeopardy
Comment
February 27
Washington Times
 
"Jim Bowden's tenure as general manager of the Washington Nationals, a position he has held since the franchise relocated from Montreal more than four years ago, could be down to its final days. According to team and league sources, a portion of the Nationals' ownership group is pushing for Bowden to be fired by the end of the weekend, citing an ongoing federal investigation of his dealings with prospects in the Dominican Republic as well as the club's overall struggles over the last two years. No final decision has been made about Bowden's future, those sources said, and he continues to have a handful of supporters within ownership, most notably principal owner Mark Lerner. But with the ..."
Nationals to fire Rijo in wake of scandal
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February 26
Washington Times
 
"The Washington Nationals have decided to fire Jose Rijo, the special assistant to general manager Jim Bowden who has been at the center of a scandal involving a top Dominican prospect who created a false identity. A club source confirmed Wednesday night that the Nationals will formally part ways with Rijo, who already had been sent home on a forced leave of absence last week after the scandal became public. The organization also is expected to discontinue use of its training academy in the Dominican Republic, a facility run by Rijo, and look to start up operations elsewhere in the country. Assistant general manager Mike Rizzo was dispatched to the Dominican Republic earlier this week to ..."
Nationals Decide to Fire Rijo, Search for New Academy
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February 26
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Nationals have made the decision to fire José Rijo, the member of their front office most closely linked to the Esmailyn González fraud, a source with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday. Rijo owns and operates a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, which the Nationals have used as their scouting base in Latin America. Rijo, who has worked for the team since 2005 as a special assistant to General Manager Jim Bowden, had taken a forced leave of absence from his job this weekend and returned to the Dominican Republic. Now, that leave has become permanent. By cutting ties with Rijo, the Nationals have also cut ties with Rijo's academy -- the place where the ..."