Nationals Journal: January 16, 2011 - January 22, 2011

Tom Gorzelanny and the Nationals' dearth of strikeouts

If nothing else, the Nationals' trade for Tom Gorzelanny gave them with a commodity that they suffered a great deficiency of last season: a starting pitcher with the capacity to strike batters out. Nationals starters last season ranked 26th in...

By Adam Kilgore  | January 21, 2011; 12:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (118)
 
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The (late) skinny on this year's NatsFest

Over the weekend, while I was traveling, the Nationals announced the plans for their revised version of NatsFest. Some of you had asked about the event, and even if it's a little delayed, I'd be remiss if I didn't pass...

By Adam Kilgore  | January 20, 2011; 11:14 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (46)
 
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By adding Tom Gorzelanny and Jerry Hairston, Mike Rizzo creates competition

The Nationals' rapid-fire acquisitions over the few days have made for an overflow roster, adding more options and some intrigue. What their rotation lacks in star power, it makes up for in parity and depth. There will be real competition...

By Adam Kilgore  | January 19, 2011; 4:37 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (37)
 
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Nationals sign Jerry Hairston Jr.

The Nationals have signed Jerry Hairston Jr. to a one-year contract, giving them a versatile, athletic bench player and a reliable option behind rookie second baseman Danny Espinosa. The deal is worth $2 million and could be worth $3 million...

By Adam Kilgore  | January 19, 2011; 1:50 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (29)
 
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Nationals set to add Todd Coffey

The Nationals have reached an agreement with former Milwaukee Brewers reliever Todd Coffey, a right-hander known for a nasty slider and his comically intense sprints from the bullpen to the mound. Terms of the deal are not known. After Coffey...

By Adam Kilgore  | January 19, 2011; 11:49 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (27)
 
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Nationals avoid arbitration with Doug Slaten, Michael Morse

The Nationals avoided an arbitration hearing with left-handed reliever Doug Slaten by reaching an agreement on a one-year contract worth $695,000 plus incentives, according to a league source. Slaten will make a $5,000 bonus once he reaches 60 innings and...

By Adam Kilgore  | January 18, 2011; 10:22 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (57)
 
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Nationals trade for Tom Gorzelanny

After missing out this winter on an elite starting pitcher, the Nationals boosted the depth of their rotation by trading three prospects to the Chicago Cubs for left-handed starter Tom Gorzelanny. The trade, which is pending a physical, was first...

By Adam Kilgore  | January 17, 2011; 3:29 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (111)
 
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Nationals avoid arbitration with John Lannan

The Nationals will avoid arbitration with left-handed starting pitcher John Lannan after agreeing on a one-year contract worth $2.75 million, according to a major league source. Lannan, 26, was eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason. The Nationals'...

By Adam Kilgore  | January 17, 2011; 3:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (16)
 
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Nationals, Alex Cora agree to minor league contract

The Nationals have reached an agreement on a minor league contract with veteran infielder Alex Cora, according to a source. The deal is worth $900,000, plus $600,000 in performance bonuses. The move gives the Nationals a leading candidate for the...

By Adam Kilgore  | January 17, 2011; 12:55 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (10)
 
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