http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/team/30 Recent articles about the Washington Nationals en-us More photos » by Morry Gash - AP What's Balester Doing Down There? VOTE ZIM!!! (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Browse more photos » You have until December 11, 2009 to vote for Washington Nationals' third baseman/Face of the Franchise™, who's up for This Year In Baseball's Defensive Player of the Year after an '09 season that's seen Ryan Zimmerman win the ESPN Web Gem title; take home B... Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:34:26 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Vote_Ryan_Zimmerman_For_TYIBs_Defensive_Player_Of_The_Year/1622416 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Vote_Ryan_Zimmerman_For_TYIBs_Defensive_Player_Of_The_Year/1622416 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Vote_Ryan_Zimmerman_For_TYIBs_Defensive_Player_Of_The_Year/1622416 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/7/e75d883a71769107252fbefd310ede03e4d7d961/small/MLB_JUN_21_717b.jpg More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP Who said anything about the Nationals? Would Vladimir Guerrero make sense in DC? Not really... (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) Browse more photos » MASNSports.com's Phil Wood took Phil Taylor of the Chicago Tribune to task over the weekend about the possible destination Mr. Taylor identifies for LA Angels' free agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero in a rece... Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:30:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_Adam_Dunn_And_Vladimir_Guererro_Rumors/1617479 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_Adam_Dunn_And_Vladimir_Guererro_Rumors/1617479 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_Adam_Dunn_And_Vladimir_Guererro_Rumors/1617479 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/8/3861bc50fbab261ff18a89c35bd3bebb18a5c228/small/PicImg_Washington_Nationals_sign_b27f.jpg The Peoria Javelinas are the AFL's '09 Champs after beating the Phoenix Desert Dogs 5-4 Saturday in Scottsdale, Arizona. (ed. note - "Picture above is from an AFL outing earlier this month by DC pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg, who missed today's start with a knee injury.") View full size photo » The Arizona Fall League's '09 season is over. Peoria Javelinas' second baseman C.J. ... Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:06:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_AFL_Wrap_Up/1610617 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_AFL_Wrap_Up/1610617 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_AFL_Wrap_Up/1610617 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/5/95e54f8e09d22824200e64633e1f23f09f07063b/small/MLB_MAY_06_b845.jpg 
 
 (Photo of TV by Nationals Enquirer staff. The Peoria Javelinas celebrate the 2009 AFL championship by jumping on top of each other.)
 
 The good news is, the photo above isn't a picture of Espinosa, Storen, Marrero, et al. in a dog pile, jumping on top of each other like they just won the World Series. Because, you can get injured jumping into a dog pile. Then again, you can get injured shagging BP fly balls; just ask Strasburg.
 And so, in the wake of a hear... Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:22:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Every_GMs_Worst_Nightmare/1609597 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Every_GMs_Worst_Nightmare/1609597 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Every_GMs_Worst_Nightmare/1609597 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/9/b97c2cc42d7fc9de406e75327dd78749d3d6f41f/small/MLB_JUN_02_719a.jpg The Nationals have announced Jim Riggleman's Rigglemen, a.k.a. the Nats 2010 coaching staff. From the official release: The Washington Nationals today announced that hitting coach Rick Eckstein, pitching coach Steve McCatty and third base coach Pat Listach will return in... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:45:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Riggleman_39s_Rigglemen/1602694 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Riggleman_39s_Rigglemen/1602694 More photos » by Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman, with third base coach Pat Listach in the background, before the Nationals' game against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, July 16, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Browse more photos »   The Washington Nationals announced today the hiring of Jim Riggleman's 2010 field staff.  So... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:13:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_Complete_Field_Staff_with_the_Hiring_of_MacLaren_Lett_Radison/1602461 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_Complete_Field_Staff_with_the_Hiring_of_MacLaren_Lett_Radison/1602461 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_Complete_Field_Staff_with_the_Hiring_of_MacLaren_Lett_Radison/1602461 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/f/0fc64fb97df97a2c46a0cc5c88c312eeaee766ce/small/MLB_JUN_21_0c9b.jpg 
 
 (Photo via Absolute Addiction dot com. H/T to http://twitter.com/ckstevenson. Wow. You really can't make this stuff up.)
 
 
 Seriously? No joke?
 
 Ryan Zimmerman is hosting DeAngelo Hall's Birthday party tonight, but we can't figure out why.
 Our anonymous, unnamed sources tell us Ryan Zimmerman will also be doing magic tricks and making balloon animals for party-goers.
 
 (Quite a year for Zim: Gold Glove. Silver Slugger. B... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:32:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/DeAngelo_Halls_Birthday_party_Hosted_by_Ryan_Zimmerman/1600196 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/DeAngelo_Halls_Birthday_party_Hosted_by_Ryan_Zimmerman/1600196 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/DeAngelo_Halls_Birthday_party_Hosted_by_Ryan_Zimmerman/1600196 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/2/c290c967239985f7422b43257b87782bc3b2abeb/small/MLB_JUN_21_3f26.jpg Washington Nationals' prospect Chris Marrero (1B) waits in the on-deck circle at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona. View full size photo » The box score for Thursday's Phoenix Desert Dogs/Surprise Rafters game doesn't mention the most important development out of Arizona, Stephen Strasburg's knee injury and subsequent removal from the starter's role in Saturday's nationally-televised AFL ... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:56:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_Prospects_Finish_AFL_Regular_Season/1599664 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_Prospects_Finish_AFL_Regular_Season/1599664 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Washington_Nationals_Prospects_Finish_AFL_Regular_Season/1599664 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/5/95e54f8e09d22824200e64633e1f23f09f07063b/small/MLB_MAY_06_b845.jpg The Arizona Fall League is close to wrapping up its season, just in time for the hot stove to get started once the free agent signing period begins on Friday. John Sickels from SBNation's Minor League Ball prospect site (www.minorleagueball.com) is working on the Top 20 prospects in each organization. Before taking a look at yesterday's performances, be sure to check out John Sickel's Top 20 Washington Nationals, as you will see a few guys we have talked about here at FakeTea... Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:15:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Arizona_Fall_League_Wednesdays_Roundup_and_Sickels_Top_20_Nationals/1594091 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Arizona_Fall_League_Wednesdays_Roundup_and_Sickels_Top_20_Nationals/1594091 I was surprised when I heard that the Brewers had interest in John Lackey, but I was completely shocked to see that the Nationals are throwing around the idea of signing Lackey:"The Nationals are one of several teams who have expressed interest in free agent right-hander John Lackey, according to a baseball source.The team is reportedly in competition with the Angels, Red Sox, Yankees and Mets for his services. The Nationals are looking for an ace who can tutor pitchers such as John Lan... Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:15:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Right_Now_Signing_John_Lackey_Makes_Little_Sense_for_the_Nationals/1586991 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Right_Now_Signing_John_Lackey_Makes_Little_Sense_for_the_Nationals/1586991 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Right_Now_Signing_John_Lackey_Makes_Little_Sense_for_the_Nationals/1586991 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/8/781b16aa9fb605fe0f8d4723ddf402bbe5402d50/small/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f2050724.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEBABBEBED9567EBB8E.jpg 
 
 (Photo by Reuters. Manager in waiting? John McLaren is reportedly the Nats new bench coach.)
 
 
 Role Reversal.
 
 According to Mark Zuckerman of the Washington Times, the Nationals have hired John McLaren to serve as Jim Riggleman's bench coach. Mr. Riggles, of course, served as McLaren's bench coach in Seattle back in 2008, only to replace McLaren as Interim Manger in June 2008 after McLaren spent the first three months of the season jockeyin... Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:06:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/NatsTown_turns_into_a_Bizzarro_World_version_of_Seattle_circa_2008/1584958 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/NatsTown_turns_into_a_Bizzarro_World_version_of_Seattle_circa_2008/1584958 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/NatsTown_turns_into_a_Bizzarro_World_version_of_Seattle_circa_2008/1584958 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/9/295b0249aa3b21959fc3d64c4b4e73ede0d7ee60/small/PicImg_MLB_APR_13_28db.jpg I'm sure there is a lot more than is about to be reported, but it is all I found for today. First up is Scott Olsen. Nationals left-hander Scott Olsen is arbitration eligible and it's not known if he will remain with the club. --- When reached by phone recently, Olsen said he is not sure what the Nationals are thinking these days, but he made it known that his shoulder is 100 percent.  "The medical staffs in DC and Melbourne, [Fla.] were real good abou... Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:25:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Former_Marlins_News/1580338 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Former_Marlins_News/1580338 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Former_Marlins_News/1580338 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/1/f12298a0d66e97fd51d86693fc9f02bc7b513145/small/BravesNats_b068.jpg 
 
 (AP Photo. Mike Rizzo seems to be enjoying his first offseason as a real, live, Major League GM.)
 
 
 Rizzo hires two more assistants to assist the assistant director to the GM. Or something like that.
 
 
 "We have two of the best baseball minds in the industry. These guys are as sharp as you can get. They both interviewed for the assistant general manager's job. Both were so impressive that I decided to hire both of them." (Mike Ri... Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:58:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Need_a_job_Mike_Rizzo_is_hiring/1579745 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Need_a_job_Mike_Rizzo_is_hiring/1579745 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Need_a_job_Mike_Rizzo_is_hiring/1579745 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/1/f12298a0d66e97fd51d86693fc9f02bc7b513145/small/BravesNats_b068.jpg (by Mark Hornbaker) What a week for the Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman. Yesterday the star third baseman won his first Rawlings Gold Glove award and today it is announced he won his Silver Slugger award. The Nats' third baseman had a lot of competition for the award. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:40:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Zimmerman_Wins_his_First_Silver_Slugger_Award/1554424 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Zimmerman_Wins_his_First_Silver_Slugger_Award/1554424 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Zimmerman_Wins_his_First_Silver_Slugger_Award/1554424 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/c/bcf7cc5679749c4a21a25d7ba129da8313d50808/small/89990510.jpg This week, the Washington Nationals finally broke down the social stigma that has plagued them for years, and became the last franchise in Major League Baseball to hire a white manager.Before giving the nod to (white) Jim Riggleman, owner Ted Lerner was long criticized for his strong opposition to hiring Caucasians to manage his squad, despite having no issues signing physically-talented whites to play on the team.An anonymous source close to the team stated, "Lerner just doesn't bel... Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:01:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Nationals_Take_a_Positive_Step_Towards_Racial_Progress/1554128 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Nationals_Take_a_Positive_Step_Towards_Racial_Progress/1554128 (by Mark Hornbaker) Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman is the 2009 National League's Rawlings Gold Glove winner at third base. For Zimmerman the 2009 season will go down as his breakout season. The 2009 season was the first season Zimmerman was selected as an National League All-Star. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:53:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Zimmerman_Wins_his_First_Gold_Glove/1545756 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Zimmerman_Wins_his_First_Gold_Glove/1545756 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Zimmerman_Wins_his_First_Gold_Glove/1545756 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/f/0fc64fb97df97a2c46a0cc5c88c312eeaee766ce/small/MLB_JUN_21_0c9b.jpg 
 
 (AP Photo. The Austin Kearns Era is effectively over in D.C. Unless he comes back for really cheap.)
 
 
 Ted Lerner says: I'll take the $1 million buyout, thank you very much!
 
 And just like that, the only remaining character from the deal that epitomized the Jim Bowden Era in DC is gone.
 Kearns, Da Meathook, Ron Villone, Livo, and Josh Bard have filed for Free Agency.
 Meanwhile...
 Nats now just waiting to announce Jim Riggleman... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:16:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Can_you_believe_the_Nats_declined_that_10_million_option_on_Austin_Kearns/1519722 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Can_you_believe_the_Nats_declined_that_10_million_option_on_Austin_Kearns/1519722 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Can_you_believe_the_Nats_declined_that_10_million_option_on_Austin_Kearns/1519722 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/d/8d85eebe1571f32f6091493f09f4c2f729d1566d/small/MLB_MAY_13_082e.jpg (Photo by Nationals Enquirer staff. In this photo, throngs of blue-shirt clad Nationals fans celebrate the selection of Stephen Strasburg in the MLB Draft back on June 9th at Nationals Park. Good luck finding those same die-hard Nationals fans for a TV show.) Move over Danny Bonaduce! A production company is looking to cast "die-hard Nationals fans who have such an intense devotion to the lovable Nats that they have had trouble balancing their 'real life' responsibilities wit... Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:42:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Nats_Fans_Subject_of_Worst_Reality_TV_Show_Concept_Ever/1454482 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Nats_Fans_Subject_of_Worst_Reality_TV_Show_Concept_Ever/1454482 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Nats_Fans_Subject_of_Worst_Reality_TV_Show_Concept_Ever/1454482 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/6/364d8d1edfa5ce9401aa65f573a2db4e07e854e8/small/89990670.jpg 
 
 (Photo of TV by Nationals Enquirer staff. Ryan Zimmerman admires his hardware on last night's Baseball Tonight Web Gem Awards on ESPN. Real hardware, forthcoming?)
 
 
 Gold Glove is next, right?
 
 Ryan Zimmerman and the Washington Nationals cleaned up on last night's Baseball Tonight Web Gem Awards show. Zim was the top Web Gem points leader at third base, and led the majors overall with 19 Web Gems, good for 61 points; while the Nationals, wo... Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:18:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Zim_aka_Peter_Franchise_aka_Mr_Walkoff_is_now_aka_Mr_Web_Gem/1442479 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Zim_aka_Peter_Franchise_aka_Mr_Walkoff_is_now_aka_Mr_Web_Gem/1442479 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Zim_aka_Peter_Franchise_aka_Mr_Walkoff_is_now_aka_Mr_Web_Gem/1442479 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/d/9daa91bf09fd0f2ec0c47d119b124d0416776861/small/San_Diego_Padres_4c64.jpg