2019 MLB Rule 5 Draft Preview

The Winter Meetings are always full of uncertainty, mystery and intrigue. No one knows when a deal might go down or when a free agent might sign. But there is one certainty at the end of every Meetings: the Rule 5 Draft.

MLB Official Site

Appreciating Marcell Ozuna's Cardinal Performance Is A Matter Of Perspective

When the Cardinals traded for Marcell Ozuna over the winter, expectations were far from modest. After swinging and missing on Giancarlo Stanton, Ozuna was brought in and was immediately coined the savior of the Cardinals' lineup. Thumper, mid-lineup fire stoker, and all-around resurgent 2018 hero to-be.

KSDK

Cardinals Hold 19th Selection In 2017 Rule 5 Draft

Teams are always looking for ways to add big league talent to their rosters. All 30 organizations are given a relatively low-risk way to do so every year at the end of the Winter Meetings via the Rule 5 Draft.

MLB Official Site

Joe Girardi Embraces Challenges As He Heads Into Tenth Year As Yankees Manager

Joe Girardi is entering his 10th season as Yankees manager.

Fox Sports

Cardinals Need To Rethink Power-Reliant Offense In 2017

There is nothing more exciting in baseball than the long-ball. The ringing crack of the bat, the ball sailing high into the night sky into a sea of fans. This year of Cardinal baseball has been filled with frustrating stretches of anemic offense, followed by a week that made you forget all of their struggles. Despite our admiration for the home run, it is not a reliable strategy for an offense. It sure is alluring, but years of baseball show that a power based offense will not win you a World Series.

KSDK

Nate Robertson, Jack Wilson, Rick Ankiel, Koyie Hill & Brad Penny To Play For Roger Clemens In 2016 National Baseball Congress World Series

Spend enough time in the company of former major-league baseball players and someone is bound to know Roger Clemens.

Wichita Eagle

Orioles Interested In Francisco Liriano

Perhaps realizing they're missing out on a competitive advantage, sources say the Orioles have shown interest in trading for left-handed starters Francisco Liriano and Drew Pomeranz.

MLB Official Site

Losing Draft Pick Hurts Yovani Gallardo; Dan Uggla A Likely MLB Spring Invite Candidate; Salary Demands & Struggles Hurt Tyler Clippard; Health Hurts Cliff Lee

Cliff Lee, LHP, free agent — There were teams kicking around scenarios for the veteran lefty this past week, but they are unsure about devoting $6 million to $8 million, plus incentives to Lee, who hasn’t pitched in the majors for most of two seasons.

Boston Globe

Dan Uggla In Talks With Three-Four Teams

Chris Cotillo Twitter

MLB Free Agent Rankings: Ben Zobrist Leads Offense-First Group At Second

Major League Baseball free agency has been underway for a few days, and teams were talking at the GM meetings in Florida, without a whole bunch of action happening. With the meetings having wrapped up, the next milestone to spur activity comes Friday, when qualifying offers are resolved. Once those are rejected or accepted, each player's value will come into focus, and the bargaining begins in earnest.

CBS Sports

Nationals Interested In Ben Zobrist

The Nationals have interest in free agent veteran utility man Ben Zobrist, according to people familiar with the situation. Zobrist isn’t believed to a top priority but the Nationals have long been interested in the versatile player. Zobrist, 34, could still command a formidable multi-year deal despite his age.

Washington Post

No-No Encore: Max Scherzer Tosses Second Of Season

Pure domination is the best way to describe right-hander Max Scherzer during the second game of a doubleheader against the Mets on Saturday night. Scherzer put himself in the record books, pitching his second no-hitter of the season as the Nationals blanked the Mets, 2-0.

Washington Official Site

Max Scherzer Nearly Tosses No-Hitter In Home Finale

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer almost put himself in the record books Monday afternoon, coming within five outs of his second no-hitter of the season in a 5-1 victory over the Reds at Nationals Park. Scherzer allowed one run on two hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks over eight innings in a makeup of a game that was to be be played on July 8.

Washington Official Site

Nationals Assign David Carpenter To Double-A Harrisburg For Rehab Assignment

Mark Zuckerman Twitter

Max Scherzer Shrugs Off Adam Jones' Two Home Runs For 10th Win

Max Scherzer tossed 8 2/3 innings, holding the Orioles to four hits, two of which were solo homers by Adam Jones, in the Nationals' 3-2 victory Sunday at Camden Yards. The Nats claimed the Battle of the Beltways series and head into the All-Star break in first place in the National League East with a 48-39 record.

Washington Official Site

Max Scherzer Goes Distance, But Braves Walk Off In Ninth

It took a fortunate hop, but the Braves found a way to conquer Max Scherzer, courtesy of a one-out, walk-off single that Cameron Maybin bounced over the third-base bag to conclude Thursday night's 2-1 win over the Nationals at Turner Field.

Washington Official Site

David Carpenter Finds Comfort Close To Home In Washington

When baseball season ends and the weather starts to turn, David Carpenter returns home to West Virginia, where a partially-rebuilt 1979 Camaro Z/28 sits in the garage.

Washington Times

Max Scherzer Stung By Two Home Runs As Nationals Spilt Twin Bill

Kevin Pillar homered twice off Nationals prized starter Max Scherzer to drive in four runs while right-hander Marco Estrada tossed six strong innings as the Blue Jays' snapped a three-game losing streak with a 7-3 victory Tuesday night at Nationals Park.

Washington Official Site

Phillies Still Waiting On Trade Partners For Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon, & Chase Utley; Scouts Keeping Eye On Allen Craig

There are several teams in need of starting pitching, and the Phillies, according to one official, are “waiting with open arms” for a trade partner, be it for Cole Hamels and/or Jonathan Papelbon, or even second baseman Chase Utley, who has 10/5 status.

Boston Globe

Max Scherzer Pitches Well, Knows Wins Will Come

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer proved that his problems with his right thumb are a thing of the past. In fact, he was very good on Friday night, but the Mets won the game, 4-0, at Citi Field.

Washington Official Site