Pitchers and catchers report in just a few days and the guys are starting to get baseball ready again, but that doesn’t mean that for the last six months they’ve just been vegging on their couches. Here’s a glimpse into some of the training Danny Espinosa’s been doing to work on his core, via Nats Enquirer.

Espinosa’s been working out through Starting Line Fitness in California with the style that he calls “more explosive” along with his workout partner Brandon Tripp.

It’s just more proof that anyone who isn’t a professional athlete may be woefully out of shape in comparison to these guys, but that’s just why they’re being paid to play.

In other news and notes:

- The San Diego State University Aztecs (Stephen Strasburg’s alma mater) are retiring Strasburg’s #37 at their season opener today. Strasburg was the recipient of the Golden Spikes award in 2009 as the nation’s top collegiate player and was the National Player of the Year, as selected by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. At SDSU Strasburg set a record for strikeouts in a game, season & career. Of course, today we know him as the overall first round pick by the Nationals in the 2009 MLB Draft.

- It’s still technically the off season, so the clock is ticking down for the Nationals to sign Ryan Zimmerman to a long term contract extension. Zimmerman’s said he doesn’t want to be a distraction and won’t negotiate once he reports for Spring Training. He’s also made it clear before that he wants to stay in D.C. There’s still some time left. Stay tuned…

- Yesterday Hall of Famer Gary Carter passed away. Carter started and finished his career with the Montreal Expos and played 12 seasons for them. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003, wearing a Montreal Expos hat.

- If you’re one of the lucky ones that gets to escape down to Florida to see some Grapefruit League baseball, Mark Zuckerman (of Nats Insider) has some helpful fan guide tips. Check them out here and here.

The era that never began came to an end today with Prince Fielder officially signing with the Detroit Tigers for nine years and $214 million. (Fielder’s contract is only the fourth $200 million contract in baseball history.)

Fielder had been involved in discussions with the Nationals as well as the Texas Rangers. The Nationals appeared as the favorite to sign Fielder but were not willing to offer a deal beyond six or seven years.

The Tigers, seemingly out of nowhere emerged to sign one of the most coveted free agents of the off season by landing Fielder.

But now with Fielder watch/Fieldergate/whatever you want to call it over, the Nationals have more pressing matters deserving of their attention, like what exactly is going to happen with that rotation of theirs?

» Continue reading “The end of Fielder watch 2k12″

The beast is back for more

The Nationals and Michael Morse agreed to a two year, $10.5 million extension yesterday.

On Tuesday, Morse filed for arbitration at $5 million while the Nationals filed at $3.5 million. While arbitration numbers were being exchanged, Morse and the Nationals had actually already reached a multi-year agreement, per Nats Insider and Mark Zuckerman. The deal, while it was essentially done, was still dependent on Morse passing his physical, therefore compelling both parties to still file their arbitration numbers.

With Morse officially passing his physical Friday, the Nationals’ 2011 MVP will be back for two more years. The contract allows the Nationals to buy out the remaining arbitration years on Morse who’ll be a free agent after the 2013 season.

» Continue reading “Morse Back for More”

Jordan Zimmermann

There’s baseball news today! To brighten you up, where ever you may be and to keep you occupied until more Fielder news breaks.

Today the Nationals avoided arbitration with Jordan Zimmerman and Tom Gorzelanny, signing each pitcher to another one year deal.

The homegrown talent Zimmermann went 8-11 with a 3.18 ERA last year in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery.

The right-hander pitcher was a strong force in the rotation last season, despite his innings limit. Jordan Zimmermann earned $415,000 in 2011. Reports are that in 2012 he’ll make $2.3 million, a considerable raise for the one who can be considered the ace of the staff last season.

Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny went 4-6 with a 4.03 ERA in his first season with the Nationals. He began the season as a starter and was eventually changed to the bullpen where he became an effect reliever. Gorzelanny, who made $2.1 million in will make $2.7 million in 2012.

That brings the arbitration count to 3 down, 3 to go. The Nationals avoided arbitration with Jesus Flores last week but still have to reach settlements with John Lannan, Michael Morse and Tyler Clippard in order to avoid arbitration with all eligible players.

First off, no, there’s no new Prince Field news. Sorry to all of you who are eagerly and anxiously waiting on the edges of your seats. Last week the Nationals were rumored (key word: rumored) to be the front runners for Fielder. Of course there are other teams that are said to be interested, such as the Mariners. But until anything is officially announced, any guess about where Prince Fielder will end up (and for how much and how long) is as good as the next guy’s. Or girl’s.

Secondly, Drew Storen is joining Michael Morse on the 22Fresh train. (Roger Bernadina and Ian Desmond are also aboard on this baseball fashion, but you may not know as much about their shirts.) Remember how Morse made 22Fresh’s “beastmode” a household name for Nats fans? Morse will have his own collection with the company, launching sometime this year. Storen, while he isn’t getting his own collection, is getting this shirt, also sometime this year. The shirt hints at his role as a shut down closer with the “good morning, good afternoon, good night” printed on the front. (If you couldn’t tell.)

Third, even California boy Stephen Strasburg is putting his bid in for the Winter Classic to be held at Nats Park. Today he retweeted a photo of Nats Park covered in today’s snowfall, saying:

“Lets get an NHL winter classic at Nats Park next year!.” –@stras37

Well, that’s it, there’s Strasburg’s vote, Mr. Leonsis.

And no, since I’ve updated you on the latest fashions and Strasburg’s bid for the Winter Classic there has been no breaking news on the Fielder situation. But if anyone wants to start a game of “where in the world will Prince Fielder end up,” that might hold your attention until he actually does sign.

Because it’s not like off season’s are brutal or anything, right?

Well, while Mike Rizzo and company are hard at work pursuing players, here’s a little something from the Nationals.

It’s not a personalized greeting from Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse or Stephen Strasburg, but it’s the next best thing: relive some of the greatest (and happiest) moments from this past season!

And if you do want to see something personalized with the players in it to help you push through the off season, here’s a thank you video back from when the season ended in September.

Who says you need Winter Meetings to make moves? Just as the Winter Meetings ending with the Nationals unable to make any moves, free agent or otherwise, today they traded away one of their last links to the Montreal Expos, Collin Balester.

Balester was traded to the Detroit Tigers for reliever Ryan Perry who had a 5.36 ERA in 37 innings in 36 games last season. Perry’s fastball reaches about 95 MPH which he mixes with a slider.

The Nationals had high hopes for Balester. He was even ranked the best prospect of the Nationals organization in 2007 by Baseball America. Balester was originally a starter, drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 draft. (Back when the team was originally the Montreal Expos.)

After making his major league debut in 2008, Balester struggled, going 4-11 with a 5.87 ERA. In 2010 he was moved to the bullpen where he found relative success during the 2011 season when he was primarily used as a long man. Yet Balester failed to find the consistency in sustaining a roll in the bullpen and made numerous stints back and fourth from Class AAA Syracuse and the big league club.

Although he didn’t have the anticipated success on the field in DC, Balester may best be remembered as the Nationals’s mustache man, growing it November for men’s health and prostate cancer awareness. This year he was even nominated for Mustached American of the Year. Maybe Balester and his mustache will find something to make it “click” in the Motor City.

Nationals lose free agent Laynce Nix to Phillies

The Nationals have one free agent problem solved for them. Numerous sources are reporting that the 31 year old free agent outfielder Laynce Nix signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, pending a physical.

In 2011 Nix hit 16 home runs and hit .250 with a .306 OBP and .475 SLG. The power hitting left hander made appearances in left field and first base for the Nationals although he was hampered by a sore left hamstring.

The Nationals signed Nix as a minor league free agent in February. They made a push to keep him this off season, but the allure of opportunities in Philadelphia was a big draw. In Philadelphia Nix would have the opportunity to platoon with John Mayberry in left field as well as back up Ryan Howard, who’ll be out for the beginning of the season, at first.

In addition, the two-year deal was the first major league contract he’s been offered in a nine year career–one that was perhaps too good for him to pass up.

Of course this now begs the question, what of the rest of the outfield? Jayson Werth of course is locked up long term and Michael Morse will be starting in left field with the return of Adam LaRoche at first base. The search for the center fielder is still alive as the off season progresses. Rick Ankiel may now have the job as the fourth outfielder with Nix not in contention.

Shairon Martis starts for the Nationals in 2009 vs. the Atlanta Braves

Nationals’ left-handed pitcher Shairon Martis signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a minor league free agent today according to Baseball America.

Martis had 146 strikeouts in 133 innings this season. He went 8-6 in Class AA Harrisburg with a 3.05 ERA.

Martis, a longtime member in the Nationals system made a stint with the big league club in 2009 and won his first five decisions. However he struggled from there and was sent to the minors. He hasn’t pitched in the Major Leagues since.

Friday also marked the return to the baseball field and normalcy for Wilson Ramos. Almost two weeks after he was kidnapped, Ramos went 0 for 5 as the designated hitter in his season debut for the Aragua Tigers. The Tigers lost 6-4 to La Guaira.

Wilson Ramos addresses the media at Nationals Park with Mike Rizzo.

This Friday Wilson Ramos returned to DC for a physical and psychological evaluation by team doctors. The evaluation was likened to one a player received for Spring Training, according to Mike Rizzo. Upon his evaluation, Ramos was said to be in “terrific” shape. He appeared healthy and happy as he sat with GM Mike Rizzo addressing the media in Washington.

“It’s good to see him face-to face, see the smile on his face, grab hold of him and see that he’s in good shape. He’s in a good mind-set. He’s happy, smiling and relieved,” Rizzo said.

The return to Washington signified a sense of closure for Ramos, who just a week ago had been freed from a harrowing kidnapping ordeal in his home country of Venezuela. Ramos was in good spirits as he thanked everyone for their support.

“I just want to thank the fans for your prayers and your support. I’m happy to be here, and I’m happy to be with my family. See you in spring training,” he said.

Mike Rizzo emphasized this sentiment, saying “It’s really a special day for us. Reuniting Wilson Ramos with the people of Washington, D.C. As you know, it was a traumatic experience last week with Wilson. …This, we think, puts an exclamation point and a finality to the incident.”

Following the abduction there was debate whether Ramos should remain in Venezuela or return to the US. Rizzo left the decision to Ramos and his family. Ramos ultimately decided to stay.

“I had no second thoughts. He plays in his country, for his country. He’s very prideful in his country and loves where he lives. He plays in front of his family. We can’t ask him not to do that,” Rizzo said regarding the decision.

Ramos will start playing in his team, the Tigres de Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League on Tuesday.

Teammates Ryan Zimmerman and Steve Lombardozzi were also at the ballpark and welcomed Ramos back. “We’re glad to have him back,” said Zimmerman.

Ramos also received “an outpouring of emotion from the team’s front office executives, akin to that of a son returning from war” according to the Washington Times’ Amanda Comak.

The support for Ramos ranged from the Nationals executives all the way down to the fans. A week ago, hours before Ramos was rescued fans held a candlelit vigil outside of Nationals Park. Some of the signs from the vigil have been saved and will be sent to Ramos’s agent, Gustavo Mercano in Venezuela at Ramos’s request as the Washington Post’s Adam Kilgore reported.

More images from Ramos’s news conference can be found here.

In other notes, off season roster changes continue.

The Nationals selected the contracts of 1B Tyler Moore, C Derek Norris, OF Eury Perez & C Jhonatan Solano which brings the 40-man roster count to 37 players.

Also, RHP Cole Kimball who was placed on waivers and claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday was reclaimed by the Nationals after the Blue Jays placed him on waivers.