Nationals Journal - Daily news and commentary on the Washington Nationals - November 9, 2008

Orr Signs Minor League Deal

Sorry, went to lunch and THIS happened. From MLB.com: The Nationals and infielder Pete Orr have agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with a chance to make the Major League roster, according to Orr's agent, Blake Corosky. If...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 14, 2008; 1:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (52)

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Olney: Nats Will Land Manny

Well, that's pretty close to what ESPN's Buster Olney says. He has Sabathia and Burnett to the Yankees, Teixeira to the Angels and Manny being Manny right here. Boz, sitting next to me in his stylin' sweater vest, says "no...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 14, 2008; 11:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (52)

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More Thoughts on Teixeira

Now that we've all had some time to digest the news of the Nationals' apparent intention to pursue Mark Teixeira, let's step back and look at the big picture: *Yes, it is the longest of longshots, and people outside of...

By Dave Sheinin | November 14, 2008; 9:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)

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Teixeira and Swisher and Smoker, Oh My

Good morning and welcome to Day 1 of free agency. In case you missed it, Boz http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/13/AR2008111304275.html"> had a chat with Stan Kasten about the Nats. Boz will chat with everyone else today at 3 p.m. Also, Marc Carig talked...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 14, 2008; 8:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

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A Little Taste on Teixeira (Updated Again)

UPDATE: Dave Sheinin's free agency story, linked earlier is being reworked with the news of the Yankees acquiring Nick Swisher from the White Sox. That would seem to give the Yankees a first baseman ... which would seem to take...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 13, 2008; 4:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (52)

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The Promised Smoker Update

Here's the promised Smoker update from Marc Carig: Just got off the phone with Nationals pitching prospect Josh Smoker, who feels fine after undergoing shoulder surgery on Tuesday afternoon. The quick procedure removed a bone spur that developed in his...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 13, 2008; 2:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)

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Smoker Has Shoulder Surgery

This just in, from the AP: Washington Nationals pitching prospect Josh Smoker has had surgery to remove a bone spur from his throwing shoulder and is expected to be ready for spring training. Dr. James Andrews performed the operation Tuesday....

By Tracee Hamilton | November 12, 2008; 3:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (49)

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O's Have Bigger Makeover (Update)

The Orioles unveiled new uniforms Wednesday, a week after the Nats. Baltimore's changes, however, seem more significant. For more details, see the Baseball Insider. UPDATE!!!!! YEESH. BobLHead, you are my hero. Thanks for understanding. I thought the uniform change would...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 12, 2008; 2:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (38)

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Former Nat to Coach Mexico

Remember Vinny Castilla? The former Nat -- from the fabled 2005 season -- will coach Mexico at the World Baseball Classic in March. From the Associated Press: He also led the team to the bronze medal at last year's Pan...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 12, 2008; 12:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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A Little More on the Trade

In case you missed it, here's Marc Carig's story about the news conference introducing Willingham and Olsen. And there's a few viewpoints from the Miami side: The deal gives the Marlins a crowded infield, according to the Miami Herald's Clark...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 12, 2008; 8:19 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)

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Update: Remarks from the Presser

Marc Carig will have a story in the Wednesday paper -- Chico really IS on vacation now -- on Tuesday afternoon's news conference with Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen. We'll get that online tonight ASAP, but here are a few...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 11, 2008; 5:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)

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Update: The Deal Is Official

The deal with the Marlins is complete and the players will be introduced at a 3:30 p.m. news conference Tuesday afternoon at the Park. Stay tuned......

By Tracee Hamilton | November 11, 2008; 12:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (41)

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Trade Analysis: A Steal For the Nats

Last night, the Nationals reportedly acquired outfielder Josh Willingham and lefty Scott Olsen from the Florida Marlins for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two mid-level prospects--right-handed pitcher P.J. Dean and infielder Josh Smolinski. Here are three reasons I love the...

By Dave Sheinin | November 11, 2008; 9:41 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (44)

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Willingham, Olsen Acquired From Florida

The Washington Nationals tonight struck a trade that satisfied two of their largest needs, fulfilling much of their offseason agenda while wasting little time. By sending second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and minor leaguers P.J. Dean and Jake Smolinski to the...

By Chico Harlan | November 10, 2008; 10:49 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (20)

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Nationals Journal: November 9, 2008 - November 15, 2008