Nationals Journal: November, 2011

Posted at 11:10 AM ET, 11/29/2011

Chris Marrero tears hamstring, leaves Nationals looking for insurance at first base

By Adam Kilgore

After Chris Marrero undergoes surgery to repair a torn hamstring, the Nationals will need another possible backup first baseman.

By Adam Kilgore | 11:10 AM ET, 11/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:07 PM ET, 11/28/2011

Nats’ winter wish list: proven starter and a center fielder

By Adam Kilgore

With baseball’s winter meetings one week away, baseball’s hot stove cranks up.

By Adam Kilgore | 03:07 PM ET, 11/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 11/25/2011

Phillies didn’t offer Roy Oswalt arbitration, which matters for Nationals

By Adam Kilgore

The Phillies did not offer right-handed starter Roy Oswalt arbitration, which ensures Oswalt will be more valuable on the free agent market and could have a possible effect on the Nationals.

By Adam Kilgore | 11:07 AM ET, 11/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:41 PM ET, 11/23/2011

Bryce Harper’s major league debut and the new CBA

By Adam Kilgore

New provisions to how many players become eligible for arbitration might have an effect on Bryce Harper’s debut, but not necessarily.

By Adam Kilgore | 02:41 PM ET, 11/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:13 PM ET, 11/22/2011

Wilson Ramos returns to the field in Venezuela

By Adam Kilgore

Wilson Ramos went 0 for 5 in his season debut in the Venezuelan winter league, which came less two weeks after he was kidnapped.

By Adam Kilgore | 11:13 PM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:59 PM ET, 11/22/2011

With the new CBA, we may not see anything like the Nationals’ 2011 draft again

By Adam Kilgore

A draft with as much talent as the Nationals had in 2011, on paper, will probably never happen again.

By Adam Kilgore | 04:59 PM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:58 PM ET, 11/22/2011

Shairon Martis signed by the Pirates

By Adam Kilgore

Shairon Martis, a longtime Nationals minor leaguer and one-time member of their major league rotation, signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a minor league free agent.

By Adam Kilgore | 12:58 PM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:41 PM ET, 11/21/2011

D.C. sports trivia quiz: Prove how much you know about local teams

By Washington Post editors

Take this quiz — which came from the minds of Post readers — to prove just how much you know about D.C. professional sports trivia.

By Washington Post editors | 04:41 PM ET, 11/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:22 PM ET, 11/21/2011

Nationals visiting Mark Buehrle, their top free agent target, at his home

By Adam Kilgore

The Nationals have identified Mark Buehrle as their No. 1 free agent target, and they are visiting him today in St. Louis.

By Adam Kilgore | 12:22 PM ET, 11/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:26 PM ET, 11/18/2011

Nationals add five players to 40-man roster

By Adam Kilgore

Catching prospect Derek Norris and 2010 Nationals minor league player of the year Tyler Moore are among the additions. Team also re-claims Cole Kimball.

By Adam Kilgore | 05:26 PM ET, 11/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:49 PM ET, 11/18/2011

Nationals’ Wilson Ramos back in Washington, thanks fans for support

By Adam Kilgore

Wilson Ramos travels to United States for first time since being abducted at gunpoint in Venezuela, visits with team doctors at Nationals Park.

By Adam Kilgore | 12:49 PM ET, 11/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:14 PM ET, 11/17/2011

Randy Knorr hired as Nationals bench coach

By Adam Kilgore

The move makes Knorr a candidate to become Manager Davey Johnson’s successor.

By Adam Kilgore | 08:14 PM ET, 11/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:52 PM ET, 11/17/2011

Bryce Harper finishes his Arizona Fall League season

By Adam Kilgore

Bryce Harper was the youngest and one of the best players in the Arizona Fall League, which concluded on Thursday.

By Adam Kilgore | 05:52 PM ET, 11/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:17 PM ET, 11/16/2011

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo lays groundwork in trade for a center fielder, says his players are drawing interest

By Adam Kilgore

The general manager, laying groundwork for a potential trade for a center fielder, says “there’s a lot of interest in a lot of our players.”

By Adam Kilgore | 09:17 PM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Nationals Journal

Posted at 05:32 PM ET, 11/16/2011

The Nationals’ bench coach could become their next manager

By Adam Kilgore

Mike Rizzo plans to promote the Nationals’ next manager from within the franchise.

By Adam Kilgore | 05:32 PM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:14 PM ET, 11/16/2011

Former National Cole Kimball claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays

By Adam Kilgore

Trying to sneak reliever Cole Kimball through waivers, the Nationals lost him to the Blue Jays.

By Adam Kilgore | 04:14 PM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:24 PM ET, 11/15/2011

General managers discuss player safety in Venezuela at meetings

By Adam Kilgore

In the aftermath of Wilson Ramos’s kidnapping and rescue in Venezuela, baseball’s general managers discuss the issue of keeping players safe in the country.

By Adam Kilgore | 10:24 PM ET, 11/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:19 PM ET, 11/15/2011

Nationals kicking tires on Mark Buehrle, Tsuyoshi Wada — but not closers

By Adam Kilgore

GM Mike Rizzo meets with Mark Buehrle’s agent, and the Nationals say they are not going to pursue any big-name closers with Drew Storen in the fold.

By Adam Kilgore | 10:19 PM ET, 11/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:19 PM ET, 11/15/2011

Nationals interested in Cuban defector Jorge Soler

By Adam Kilgore

The Nationals are one of several teams who will vie for Jorge Soler, a 19-year-old Cuban defector with big potential.

By Adam Kilgore | 02:19 PM ET, 11/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:09 AM ET, 11/15/2011

Mike Rizzo meets with agent for C.J. Wilson and Roy Oswalt

By Adam Kilgore

On the first night of the GM Meetings, Mike Rizzo shows interest to add top starter by meeting with the agent for Roy Oswalt and C.J. Wilson.

By Adam Kilgore | 12:09 AM ET, 11/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:10 PM ET, 11/14/2011

Scott Boras says Ivan Rodriguez will be a backup, and Mike Rizzo owes him a steak

By Adam Kilgore

Scott Boras holds court at the winter meetings, touching a few Nationals topics.

By Adam Kilgore | 09:10 PM ET, 11/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:56 PM ET, 11/14/2011

As general manager meetings wind up, a look at the changed center field market

By Adam Kilgore

The Nationals have indicated they want to trade for a center fielder, but the free agent market has grown with interesting additions.

By Adam Kilgore | 06:56 PM ET, 11/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:32 PM ET, 11/14/2011

Wilson Ramos finishes fourth, Danny Espinosa sixth in National Leaguer rookie of the year voting

By Adam Kilgore

Wilson Ramos finished fourth and Danny Espinosa finished sixth in the NL rookie of the year voting.

By Adam Kilgore | 02:32 PM ET, 11/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:01 PM ET, 11/13/2011

Nationals at the GM meetings, a primer

By Adam Kilgore

With the annual general manager meetings set to begin, a look at the days ahead for Mike Rizzo and the Nats.

By Adam Kilgore | 11:01 PM ET, 11/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:22 AM ET, 11/12/2011

Wilson Ramos arrives home dramatic rescue in Venezuela

By Adam Kilgore

Wilson Ramos says thanks as he walks back into his family’s home following a harrowing ordeal and rescue.

By Adam Kilgore | 09:22 AM ET, 11/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:55 PM ET, 11/11/2011

Wilson Ramos rescued, safe in Venezuela

By Adam Kilgore

Wilson Ramos has been and is being returned home, his agent said.

By Adam Kilgore | 09:55 PM ET, 11/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:01 AM ET, 11/11/2011

Wilson Ramos abduction in Venezuela: Police gathering evidence, still no contact from kidnappers, 36 hours in

By Adam Kilgore

More than 36 hours after gunmen abducted Wilson Ramos, the kidnappers have still made no contact with the Ramos’s family

By Adam Kilgore | 08:01 AM ET, 11/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:14 PM ET, 11/10/2011

In Wilson Ramos kidnapping case, Venezuelan expert predicts ranson to be in the millions

By Adam Kilgore

With a target like Wilson Ramos, a ballplayer who earned $415,000 in 2011, the culprits are likely to be part of a criminal organization.

By Adam Kilgore | 10:14 PM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:31 AM ET, 11/10/2011

State Department monitoring case; Nationals issue statement on Wilson Ramos kidnapping

By Adam Kilgore

Team, league say Major League Baseball’s Department of Investigations is working with the appropriate authorities.

By Adam Kilgore | 08:31 AM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:25 PM ET, 11/09/2011

Report: Wilson Ramos kidnapped in native Venezuela

By Adam Kilgore

Four armed people went into Ramos’s family’s house Wednesday night, grabbed him, put him in a green vehicle and sped away, according to multiple news reports out of Venezuela.

By Adam Kilgore | 08:25 PM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:38 PM ET, 11/09/2011

Jayson Werth had ‘a conversation’ with Phillies closer Ryan Madson about the Nationals

By Adam Kilgore

If the Nationals sneak into the bidding for Ryan Madson, Jayson Werth would welcome his former teammate on his current team.

By Adam Kilgore | 05:38 PM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 11/09/2011

In search of D.C. baseball trivia questions and answers

By Washington Post Editors

The Post is looking for your best D.C. baseball trivia questions to use in the final challenge of the D.C. sports fan contest.

By Washington Post Editors | 12:00 PM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:26 AM ET, 11/09/2011

Baseball America’s top 10 Nationals prospects: They’re impressed

By Adam Kilgore

The scouting bible is impressed with the Nationals farm system, especially their most recent draft.

By Adam Kilgore | 11:26 AM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:37 AM ET, 11/09/2011

Nationals linked to Roy Oswalt as the NL East stays busy

By Adam Kilgore

As the Phillies near a deal to keep their closer, the Nationals have been linked to free agent Roy Oswalt.

By Adam Kilgore | 10:37 AM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:59 AM ET, 11/08/2011

What is Rick Ankiel’s offseason outlook?

By Adam Kilgore

The Nationals’ search for a center fielder shows they don’t consider Rick Ankiel more than a fourth outfielder.

By Adam Kilgore | 11:59 AM ET, 11/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:03 AM ET, 11/07/2011

Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes on the Nationals’ radar

By Adam Kilgore

Nationals talent evaluators attended a workout Friday that showcased Yoenis Cespedes, a power-hitting center fielder regarded as the second-best player in Cuba.

By Adam Kilgore | 10:03 AM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:52 PM ET, 11/05/2011

Bryce Harper, Derek Norris appear in Rising Stars game in Arizona Fall League

By Adam Kilgore

After sensational starts in the Arizona Fall League, Nationals prospects Bryce Harper and Derek Norris give unremarkable performances in the showcase game.

By Adam Kilgore | 10:52 PM ET, 11/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:34 PM ET, 11/05/2011

Sammy Solis has a big night in the Arizona Fall League

By Adam Kilgore

Sammy Solis made his best start yet in the Arizona Fall League, while Bryce Harper readies for a nationally televised stage.

By Adam Kilgore | 01:34 PM ET, 11/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:38 PM ET, 11/04/2011

Nationals have pitching depth, and they want more

By Adam Kilgore

The Nationals have a cadre of capable starting pitchers, but they still aren’t satisfied.

By Adam Kilgore | 03:38 PM ET, 11/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:39 PM ET, 11/04/2011

Nationals make Chien-Ming Wang signing official, wanted a team option

By Adam Kilgore

GM Mike Rizzo says Nats pushed for team option for 2013, but pitcher and his agent resisted.

By Adam Kilgore | 02:39 PM ET, 11/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:38 PM ET, 11/03/2011

Chien-Ming Wang set to re-sign with Nationals

By Adam Kilgore

Chien-Ming Wang will re-sign, pending a physical. The contract represents another milestone in his recovery from major surgery.

By Adam Kilgore | 05:38 PM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:57 PM ET, 11/03/2011

Nationals’ Brian Bixler claimed by Astros off waivers

By Adam Kilgore

The Nationals lose utility man Brian Bixler after the Astros claim him off waivers.

By Adam Kilgore | 01:57 PM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:27 PM ET, 11/03/2011

The Nationals’ payroll: An overview

By Adam Kilgore

A look at how much flexibility the Nationals will have to spend on free agents, and why.

By Adam Kilgore | 12:27 PM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:27 PM ET, 11/02/2011

Nationals, Chien-Ming Wang remain in contract discussions

By Adam Kilgore

Chien-Ming Wang’s agent, Alan Nero, confirms that the Nationals have yet to reach a deal with Wang, but they are clearly closing in on one.

By Adam Kilgore | 04:27 PM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:41 PM ET, 11/02/2011

How Bryce Harper’s Arizona Fall League performance can affect the Nationals’ offseason plans

By Adam Kilgore

Could Bryce Harper’s Fall League tear — five HRs, 17 RBI in past eight games — affect Nats’ plans?

By Adam Kilgore | 12:41 PM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:05 AM ET, 11/02/2011

Grady Sizemore ‘not limiting his choices’ in free agency

By Adam Kilgore

The agent for the oft-injured free agent center fielder outlines the plan for Grady Sizemore, a logical target for the Nats.

By Adam Kilgore | 10:05 AM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:58 AM ET, 11/01/2011

Ryan Zimmerman, Drew Storen on the Nationals bringing back Davey Johnson

By Adam Kilgore

Ryan Zimmerman and Drew Storen offer perspective on Davey Johnson coming back.

By Adam Kilgore | 11:58 AM ET, 11/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:09 PM ET, 10/31/2011

Nationals’ Laynce Nix drawing interest

By Adam Kilgore

Outfielder Laynce Nix discussed terms for 2012 at the end of the season, but talks have since stalled.

By Adam Kilgore | 06:09 PM ET, 10/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:37 PM ET, 10/31/2011

Davey Johnson says the Nationals can win the pennant

By Adam Kilgore

As he takes over for 2012, Davey Johnson says he expects the Nationals to contend.

By Adam Kilgore | 12:37 PM ET, 10/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 10/31/2011

Grady Sizemore will give the Nationals another centerfield option in free agency

By Adam Kilgore

As the Nationals look for a centerfielder, Grady Sizemore is set to become a free agent.

By Adam Kilgore | 12:00 PM ET, 10/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:39 AM ET, 10/31/2011

Nationals name Davey Johnson manager for 2012

By Adam Kilgore

The Nationals officially named Davey Johnson their manager for the 2012 season.

By Adam Kilgore | 10:39 AM ET, 10/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Stats, scores and schedules

Orioles| Oriole Park at Camden Yards, MD

Orioles| Oriole Park at Camden Yards, MD

Orioles| Oriole Park at Camden Yards, MD

Nationals Journal: November, 2011