Nationals reliever Shawn Kelley recently asserted West Palm Beach’s family-friendly superiority to the Nationals former Spring Training home in Viera, a fact that has been scientifically proven through Instagram posts from Clint Robinson and Gio Gonzalez.
Continue Reading Clint and Gio Have Family Fun in West Palm Beach
March Madness is right around the corner, so you’ve probably seen the blind resume game once or twice by now. You know, the one where ESPN hides the team names and puts up a collection of stats that makes you think, “hm, maybe Northwest East State really does deserve to make the tournament over Villanova!” In the spirit of March Madness, let’s play a little baseball blind resume game.
The Nationals front office has finally gotten bold, signing big free agent John Lannan to a minor league deal with no invite to camp. (Editor’s note: must credit @AndrewFlaxTNB.)
A two-time Opening Day starter for the Nats, Lannan ended his previous five year stint with the Nationals in April 2012, asking general manager Mike Rizzo for a trade after losing out to Ross Detwiler in a battle for the fifth starter spot. Lannan hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2014 with the Mets and compiled ERAs north of 5.00 at Triple A with the Rockies in 2015 and the Royals last year. But our prodigal son has returned, probably on a $30,000 salary deferred over three years that the Lerners had to personally approve. Time heals all wounds.
Continue Reading Blast From The Past: Nationals Sign John Lannan
There is no debating it: Bryce Harper was disappointing in 2016. It would have been nearly impossible to top Harper’s historical 2015 performance, but even regression to the mean wouldn’t have predicted the depth of Harper’s struggles last season. That begs the question: What will Harper’s 2017 season look like? Thanks to some patented The Nats Blog technology, you no longer have to wait for Opening Day to find out, you can Choose Your Own Bryce Harper 2017 AdventureTNB. If you decide that that Harper will bounce back in 2017, scroll to Section A! If you decide that Harper’s 2015 was the anomaly and he’s overrated, scroll to Section B! If you want to pick the middle road, head to Section C. The choice is yours; choose wisely.
Continue Reading Choose Your Own Bryce Harper 2017 Adventure
Did you hear the news? The Nationals have agreed with Matt Wieters on what is essentially a one-year, $10.5 million deal with an identical player option for next year. A quick bit of analysis: It’s good. For Mike Rizzo, it’s found money; it didn’t seem like ownership was going to spend that money anywhere else this offseason, and now he gets another asset. For Ted Lerner, it’s a likely upgrade at catcher and a chance to stick it to Peter Angelos and the Orioles. For the team, it’s a better bat and better defender behind the dish (though seemingly a worse pitch framer) instead of hoping for a bounce-back from literally the worst hitter in baseball last year.
But this piece won’t be an analysis of Wieters’ merits as a player. Instead, I want to look at the many doors this move has opened for the Nationals. With a surplus of catching, the team has myriad options on how to move forward.
Baseball announcers are to instant replay what literally everyone is to Valentine’s Day. Mentioning the holiday results in a passionate opinion that is inherently wrong just because it exists. Basically, it’s what happens when you bring up Bryce Harper, but with questions about when you’re bringing a boy home, Mom.
This year, the Nationals pitchers and catchers will be reporting on the 14th, producing anticipation of the steamiest Valentine’s Day on record. In preparation, here’s a rundown of some options for the perfect man on the mound or behind the plate to act as an unofficial Valentine.
Well.
No more hints. We’re glad to be spending our afternoon with Vegas local and Golden Knights fan @Bharper3407! #BoldInGold pic.twitter.com/9axzzIggsO
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 11, 2017
January is typically the doldrums of the MLB offseason. Never mind that it is just a few days until the two-year anniversary of the Nationals’ signing of Max Scherzer: At this point in the offseason, most teams have made their moves and are filling their teams out around the edges. The Nationals have surely already made their biggest move in offloading several top prospects for Adam Eaton.
The only trip Sammy Solis took during the 2016 season was to the DL, preventing him from contributing on the mound or to Washington’s playoff clinch celebration. The offseason has been much more kind to him in terms of vacation spots.
There are few metaphors grand enough to do justice by the magnitude of Dusty Baker’s life experience. He recounts smoking a joint with Jimi Hendrix, calls President Obama a friend, and served six years in the Marines.
Continue Reading Negro Leagues Museum Relays Another Great Dusty Story