Nationals Journal - Daily news and commentary on the Washington Nationals - December 12, 2010

Pitcher Chad Gaudin agrees to minor-league contract

The Nationals have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Chad Gaudin on a minor-league contract that includes a spring training invitation. From the team's news release: The 27 year-old Gaudin is 35-39 with a 4.61 ERA (339 ER/661.2 IP) in...

By Washington Post editors | December 17, 2010; 12:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (65)

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The Nationals' options at first base

With the active Nationals having signed one outfielder (Jayson Werth) and traded away another (Josh Willingham), their most obvious need remains an Adam Dunn-sized hole at first base. With teams adding free agents in a frenzy the past few days,...

By Adam Kilgore | December 17, 2010; 10:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (40)

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Chien-Ming Wang is re-signed by Nationals

The Nationals re-signed right-handed starter Chien-Ming Wang, taking a second gamble on an accomplished pitcher who hasn't thrown an official pitch since mdway through 2009. Wang signed for a guaranteed $1 million, and he could make as much as $5...

By Adam Kilgore | December 16, 2010; 10:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (28)
Categories: Chien-Ming Wang
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Mike Rizzo and Josh Willingham on the trade

Let's do this quick, bullet-point style. Here are highlights from General Manager Mike Rizzo, who just completed a teleconference with reporters, and Josh Willingham, who spoke with the Post in a brief phone conversation, on the trade that sent Willingham...

By Adam Kilgore | December 16, 2010; 5:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (31)

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Nationals receive Henry Rodriguez, Corey Brown from Oakland in Josh Willingham trade

In return for trading Josh Willingham to the Oakland A's, the Nationals will receive Henry Rodriguez and Corey Brown, a right-handed, 23-year-old fireballing reliever who made 29 major league appearances last year and a 25-year-old outfielder with speed, power potential...

By Adam Kilgore | December 16, 2010; 3:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (63)

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Nationals nearing deal with Chien-Ming Wang

The Nationals are close to completing a deal that would bring back right-handed starter Chien Ming-Wang for one year, according to a source. They signed Wang to a one-year, $2 million contract late last offseason, but the Nationals non-tendered Wang...

By Adam Kilgore | December 16, 2010; 3:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)

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UPDATED: Nationals agree to trade Josh Willingham to Athletics

The Nationals have agreed to trade left fielder Josh Willingham to the Oakland A's for two young minor league players, a source familiar with the trade confirmed. In return for Willingham, the Nationals received reliever Henry Rodriguez, 23, and outfielder...

By Adam Kilgore | December 16, 2010; 2:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (95)

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More on Jayson Werth: His new role, his impact and his beard

Before the introduction of Jayson Werth becomes completely stale news, I wanted to empty out the notebook with a few more nuggets from yesterday. But if you have time this morning to read just one piece, then do read Boz's...

By Adam Kilgore | December 16, 2010; 10:23 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)

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How Jayson Werth affects Bryce Harper

The Nationals' biggest free agent acquisition ever happens to play the same position as their best position player prospect, which, Mike Rizzo said, "is a problem I would be glad to address in the very near future." The Nationals have...

By Adam Kilgore | December 15, 2010; 6:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)

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Mark Lerner talks balancing 'Phase 1' and 'Phase 2'

In introducing Jayson Werth, the Nationals reiterated their declaration that they're beginning the next step in their vision to build a winning franchise. The press conference began at 1 p.m., and the words "Phase Two" were uttered before the clock...

By Adam Kilgore | December 15, 2010; 4:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)

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Cliff Lee talked to Jayson Werth about playing together

Up in Philadelphia this afternoon, just about the time Jayson Werth had retreated into the Nationals clubhouse and away from the media, the Phillies re-introduced Cliff Lee in a press conference similar to the one Werth had just finished in...

By Adam Kilgore | December 15, 2010; 3:49 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)

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Jayson Werth has a full no-trade clause

With the official introduction of Jayson Werth and plenty of interviews that followed complete, perhaps the most interesting piece of new information, confirmed by agent Scott Boras, is this: General Manager Mike Rizzo relented on his general philosophy and...

By Adam Kilgore | December 15, 2010; 3:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)

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Network News

Nationals Journal: December 12, 2010 - December 18, 2010

Pitcher Chad Gaudin agrees to minor-league contract

The Nationals' options at first base

Chien-Ming Wang is re-signed by Nationals

Mike Rizzo and Josh Willingham on the trade

Nationals receive Henry Rodriguez, Corey Brown from Oakland in Josh Willingham trade

Nationals nearing deal with Chien-Ming Wang

UPDATED: Nationals agree to trade Josh Willingham to Athletics

More on Jayson Werth: His new role, his impact and his beard

How Jayson Werth affects Bryce Harper

Mark Lerner talks balancing 'Phase 1' and 'Phase 2'

Cliff Lee talked to Jayson Werth about playing together

Jayson Werth has a full no-trade clause

Live: Jayson Werth news conference

Mike Rizzo's letter to Nationals fans

Nationals sign Matt Stairs

Even in the offseason, the Phillies beat the Nationals

Nationals 'aggressively pursuing' trade for Zack Greinke and Matt Garza; but can they make it happen?

Drew Storen takes on the red carpet

Cliff Lee is going to sign a bad contract