XFINITY: Win the Ultimate Sports Social Media Job

Have you ever wanted a shot at winning your dream job in sports social media? Here's your chance, XFINITY is launching a nationwide contest to find the next sports social media star to serve as the voice of XFINITY behind-the-scenes at the biggest sporting events nationwide in 2013.

The contest is called "Xfinity Presents: The Ultimate Sports Social Media Job" and runs from January 28 through February 18. Fans will also be asked to vote for Wild Card contestants from March 4 through March 11. The winner will receive:

• Unparalleled access to the country's premier sporting events
• Annual salary
• XSG Home Studio in Philadelphia apartment
• 12 months of free Comcast/XFINITY service (TV with all sports packages, internet and phone)

This is truly a dream job opportunity for anyone looking to make a name for themselves in the world of sports and social media.

Here's how it works:

From January 28 - February 18, you can log on to Facebook.com/XFINITY and submit a video on the Ultimate Sports Social Media Job contest tab that shows why your sports knowledge, social media expertise, personality, and passion for Comcast products and services makes you the perfect candidate for the job.

The top video submissions will be featured on the Ultimate Sports Social Media Job contest tab located on Facebook.com/XFINITY for Wild Card voting from March 4-11. Ten semifinalists will be flown to Philadelphia for performance evaluations at XFINITY Live! Five finalists will be on-site for baseball's opening weekend April 5-7. Following that weekend, a panel of judges will evaluate each performance and announce the winner of the contest in mid-April!

Head over today to Facebook.com/XFINITY and click on the Ultimate Sports Social Media Job contest tab for all the details, as well as contest rules. Enter soon, as February 18 is the deadline for video submissions!

You can also check out their YouTube video for more details on the contest and how to enter.

' NO PURCH.NEC. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. THIS IS NOT A GAME OF CHANCE. Open only to legal U.S. residents (incl.DC) who are legal adults 18+. For application details and official rules, click here. Enter 12:01a.m. ET on 1/28/13 to 11:59 p.m. ET on 2/18/13.

This Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to Comcast® and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for purposes of administering this Contest.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Miami New Times' Releases Images Of Mentions Of Washington Nationals' Starter Gio Gonzalez In Notebooks Of Alleged PED Supplier

According to a Miami New Times' report released on Tuesday, Gio Gonzalez's name was mentioned, alongside those of several other major league players, in the notebooks of Anthony Bosch, a 49-year-old "clinic chief" at a Florida-based anti-aging company called, "Biogenesis." The clinic is believed to have been, "... selling performance-enhancing drugs, from human growth hormone (HGH) to testosterone to anabolic steroids," before, following a previously established pattern detailed in the Miami New Times' report, "... it closed last month and its owner abruptly disappeared."

' LINK: "The Gio Gonzalez Files: Every Mention of The Nationals Pitcher in Tony Bosch's Notebooks" - Miami New Times - Riptide 2.0

An employee of the company provided what is described in the report as "an extraordinary batch of records" to the New Times, including the personal notebooks believed to belong to Mr. Bosch. According to the Miami New Times' report, they conducted, "Interviews with six customers and two former employees," who corroborated, "the tale told by the patient files, the payment records, and the handwritten notebooks kept by the clinic's chief."

The Nationals' left-hander was one of nine pro athletes named in the article, though its author, Tim Elfrink, noted that Gonzalez's was a "curious case":

"There's also the curious case of Gio Gonzalez, the 27-year-old, Hialeah-native, left-handed hurler who won 21 games last year for the Washington Nationals. Gonzalez's name appears five times in Bosch's notebooks, including a specific note in the 2012 book reading, "Order 1.c.1 with Zinc/MIC/... and Aminorip. For Gio and charge $1,000." (Aminorip is a muscle-building protein.)

Gonzalez's father, Max, also appears on Bosch's client lists and is often listed in conjunction with the pitcher. But reached by phone, the Hialeah resident insists his son has had no contact with Bosch.

"My son works very, very hard, and he's as clean as apple pie," the elder Gonzalez says. "I went to Tony because I needed to lose weight. A friend recommended him, and he did great work for me. But that's it. He never met my son. Never. And if I knew he was doing these things with steroids, do you think I'd be dumb enough to go there?"

As several sources noted, none of the items mentioned in connection to the Nats' starter in yesterday's article were on MLB's banned substance list. Gio Gonzalez, through his his personal (verified) Twitter account @GioGonzalez47) released a statement disputing the information in the report and claiming he'd never met with Mr. Bosch :

I've never used performance enhancing drugs of any kind and I never will ,I've never met or spoken with tony Bosch orused any substance

' Gio Gonzalez (@GioGonzalez47) January 29, 2013

Provided by him.anything said to the contrary is a lie.

' Gio Gonzalez (@GioGonzalez47) January 29, 2013

Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo released a statement last night which read simply, "The issue is currently being reviewed by Major League Baseball and it would be inappropriate for the Nationals to comment until that review is completed." Major League Baseball released a statement shortly after the Miami New Times' article was published which said that they were investigating the claims made in the report:

"We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between players and the use of performance-enhancing substances. These developments, however, provide evidence of the comprehensive nature of our anti-drug efforts. Through our Department of Investigations, we have been actively involved in the issues in South Florida. It is also important to note that three of the players allegedly involved have already been disciplined under the Joint Drug Program..."

Gonzalez has never failed a drug test. His name is mentioned five times in Mr. Bosch's notes according to a follow-up article this afternoon entitled, "The Gio Gonzalez Files: Every Mention Of The Nationals Pitcher in Tony Bosch's Notebook." You can now see photos of the actual notes which have been posted at the Miami New Times, which posted all of the mentions of Alex Rodriguez in the notebooks yesterday. The first image has Gonzalez's name mentioned alongside Texas Rangers' slugger Nelson Cruz and Toronto Blue Jays' outfielder Melky Cabrera, who was suspended for 50 games last year after he tested positive for testosterone.

In the second Gonzalez's name appears along with his father's. The third image, dated 2/20, shows Gonzalez's name and a comparison of two rows of stats next to a what is said in the article to be a formula for "pink cream" which Yahoo!Sports.com's Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) noted on Twitter this afternoon, is, "a synthetic testosterone."

The final entry in the notebook refers again to Gonzalez's father.

Reports this afternoon by both The Washington Post's James Wagner and The Washington Times' Amanda Comak are now noting the Nationals' starter's connection to, "Jimmy Goins, the strength and conditioning coach for the [Miami] Hurricanes baseball team for the past nine seasons," who was mentioned in Tuesday's Miami New Times' report as well:

"Goins is recorded in multiple client lists; in one detailed page dated December 14, 2011, Bosch writes he's selling him Anavar, testosterone, and a Winstrol/B-12 mix and charging him $400 a month. Another, from this past December, includes sales of HGH and testosterone."

Gonzalez posted a photo of himself with Mr. Goins earlier this winter via Instagram, writing that Goins was his, "offseason strength coach." Mr. Goins, through his attorney, denied any wrongdoing or connection to the clinic as reported in a Florida Sun Sentinel article by Michael Casagrande:

"He hasn't done anything wrong either personally or as a representative of the University of Miami," said Fenderson, an attorney specializing in DUI defense with offices in Jacksonville and Coral Gables. "And as far as being on a client list of a certain doctor, any connection of the University of Miami or their baseball program would be purely coincidental."

Neither Gonzalez, the Nationals or Major League Baseball have made any further statements today.

You can view the images alleged to be from Mr. Bosch's notebooks below:

LINK: "The Gio Gonzalez Files: Every Mention of The Nationals Pitcher in Tony Bosch's Notebooks" - Miami New Times - Riptide 2.0

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals' Davey Johnson Turns 70; Determined To Go Out On Top In Last Season

Davey Johnson turned 70 on Wednesday. As Johnson himself noted recently, while accepting the Baseball Writers' Association of America's NL Manager of the Year award, 51 of his 70 years have been spent in the game of baseball. Signed as a minor league free agent by Baltimore in 1962, the Orlando, Florida-native debuted in the majors with the Orioles in 1965 and went on to have a 13-year career with the O's Braves, Phillies and Cubs.

Six years after he retired as a player, Johnson debuted in the majors as a manager with the New York Mets in 1984. He stayed in NY until 1990, managed the Cincinnati Reds from 1993-1995, the Orioles in 1996 and '97, and then spent two years in LA with the Dodgers (1999-2000) before an 11-year stretch in which he was out of the major league game, but still managing with USA Baseball and consulting with teams like the Nationals.

D.C. GM Mike Rizzo hired Johnson as a senior advisor upon taking over as General Manager in 2009 and a year and a half later the then-68-year-old Johnson was in the organization and willing to take over on the bench after Jim Riggleman abruptly resigned in June of 2011.

A few weeks on the bench with a team he'd help shape from behind the scenes convinced Johnson he could help them take the next step, and he talked about the possibility of the Nats making it to the postseason long before the Nationals did just that under his guidance, winning the first division title by a team from the nation's capital in 69 long years and winning the NL East Division crown before losing in five games in the NLDS with St. Louis.

The Nats fell short of the pennant Johnson predicted upon agreeing to return to manage the team in the winter of 2011.

Asked in the postgame press conference following Washington's heartbreaking loss in Game 5 with the Cards what he had to say to the fans after an electrifying, 98-win, fan base-building campaign, Johnson, who wore the loss more than he had any disappointment all season, said simply, "Well, you know, I'm sorry. We'll make it up to them next year. It was a fun ride, a lot of character. I really enjoyed managing them this year."

Under his guidance, the Nationals are 138-107 (.563 WP) since June of 2011. When Johnson agreed to return to the bench in the nation's capital in 2013, he upped the ante once again, predicting not another division title, or a pennant this time around, but instead declaring the motto is, "World Series or Bust!"

The Nationals' 70-year-old manager will be in the 17th major league season of his second career in the game in 2013. He's already said it will be his last. In accepting the D.C. Chamber of Commerce's Hometown Hero Award in early December, Johnson said in his speech that he plans to add another ring to his collection (two as a player, one as a manager) in his final year on the bench.

"'Next year is going to be my last year and I'm going to go out with my fourth World Series ring,'" Johnson said, as quoted in the Washington Post, and as he told reporters before the 2012 season even ended, he thinks there's room for improvement in 2013. "A lot of guys haven't hit their stride," Johnson told reporters last October. "There's still a bigger ceiling for a number of players on this ballclub."

He was right last time... the rest of the league better look out. Davey Johnson's determined to go out on top.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo's Statement On Miami New Times' Article Mentioning Gio Gonzalez; Ties To Miami Clinic That Sold Performance-Enhancing Drugs

SI.com's Tom Verducci, in an appearance on 106.7 the FAN in Washington, D.C. with LaVar Arrington and Chad Dukes this afternoon, talked about the report this morning in the Miami New Times which mentions Washington Nationals' lefty Gio Gonzalez as one of nine players with ties to Miami, Florida and a Miami-based company called, "Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic... just a hard line drive's distance from the UM campus," that is believed to have been, "... selling performance-enhancing drugs, from human growth hormone (HGH) to testosterone to anabolic steroids."

Gonzalez's name comes up in the notes of the, "... clinic's chief, 49-year-old Anthony Bosch." As the Miami New Times' Tim Elfrink writes in the article, however, the Nats' starter's case is "curious", especially considering that, as many sources have since noted, nothing in the note published today makes mention of any substances banned by Major League Baseball and unlike several of the other names released today, Gonzalez has never failed any drug tests:

"There's also the curious case of Gio Gonzalez, the 27-year-old, Hialeah-native, left-handed hurler who won 21 games last year for the Washington Nationals. Gonzalez's name appears five times in Bosch's notebooks, including a specific note in the 2012 book reading, 'Order 1.c.1 with Zinc/MIC/... and Aminorip. For Gio and charge $1,000.' (Aminorip is a muscle-building protein.)

"Gonzalez's father, Max, also appears on Bosch's client lists and is often listed in conjunction with the pitcher. But reached by phone, the Hialeah resident insists his son has had no contact with Bosch.

"'My son works very, very hard, and he's as clean as apple pie,' the elder Gonzalez says. 'I went to Tony because I needed to lose weight. A friend recommended him, and he did great work for me. But that's it. He never met my son. Never. And if I knew he was doing these things with steroids, do you think I'd be dumb enough to go there?"

The elder Gonzalez's story is similar to two others in the article. Biogenesis' clients referred to as "Juan Garcia" and "Jan" describe how they referred to the clinic, with Mr. "Garcia" quoted explaining that, "... He'd recently hit his late 40s, felt his energy and libido sagging, and wanted to see what Bosch could do for him," while "Jan" says she, "... went to Bosch in early 2012 as she struggled to keep up her workout regimen while traveling for work."

Gio Gonzalez, through his his personal (verified) Twitter account @GioGonzalez47) released the following statement a few hours after the article was published this afternoon:

I've never used performance enhancing drugs of any kind and I never will ,I've never met or spoken with tony Bosch orused any substance

' Gio Gonzalez (@GioGonzalez47) January 29, 2013

Provided by him.anything said to the contrary is a lie.

' Gio Gonzalez (@GioGonzalez47) January 29, 2013

Major League Baseball released a statement this afternoon in which they said they were investigation the allegations made in the article:

"We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between players and the use of performance-enhancing substances. These developments, however, provide evidence of the comprehensive nature of our anti-drug efforts. Through our Department of Investigations, we have been actively involved in the issues in South Florida. It is also important to note that three of the players allegedly involved have already been disciplined under the Joint Drug Program...

"Vigilance remains the key toward protecting the integrity of our game. We have the best and most stringent drug testing policy in professional sports, we continue to work with our doctors and trainers to learn what they are seeing day-to-day and we educate our players about the game's unbending zero-tolerance approach. We remain fully committed to following all leads and seeking the appropriate outcomes for all those who use, purchase and are involved in the distribution of banned substances, which have no place in our game.

"We are in the midst of an active investigation and are gathering and reviewing information. We will refrain from further comment until this process is complete."

Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo released the following statement about the article within the last hour:

"The issue is currently being reviewed by Major League Baseball and it would be inappropriate for the Nationals to comment until that review is completed."

As SI.com's Tom Verducci reiterated in his interview on 106.7 the FAN in D.C., it's far too early to pass judgment on Gonzalez or anyone named in the story. "I think especially in [Gonzalez's] case it's very premature," Verducci said, noting that he had to read the article a few more times, "But from what I read, I didn't see Gonzalez connected to any substances that were banned by Major League Baseball. Now, you can question why is his name, or why is he, in this log book at all? It seemed to be a fly-by-night-type of wellness clinic that, you know, this guy Anthony Bosch was shuttling back and forth and shutting clinics down and then reopening another one..."

"These guys can afford all the best care in the world," Verducci continued, "there's no question about that. I can question judgement, but at least from reading the story, I don't see exposure in terms of using banned substances. Now again, maybe I missed something there. Maybe the Miami New Times has other information. Maybe there's something that's more damaging in terms of the documents that they did procure. But right now, the way I read the story, on its face value, first read, I don't see exposure on Gonzalez's part and he has since issued a denial as well."

More info when it is available...

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals' Gio Gonzalez Linked In Miami New Times' Report To Miami Clinic That Supplied Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Washington Nationals' left-hander Gio Gonzalez's name was one of several included in an "explosive" Miami New Times' article by reporter Tim Elfrink published this morning which examines the connection between a group of major league players (and other professional athletes) with ties to Miami, Florida and a Miami-based company called, "Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic tucked into a two-story office building just a hard line drive's distance from the UM campus," that is believed to have been, "... selling performance-enhancing drugs, from human growth hormone (HGH) to testosterone to anabolic steroids." The information in the article is based on, "Interviews with six customers and two former employees," who, "... corroborate the tale told by the patient files, the payment records, and the handwritten notebooks kept by the clinic's chief, 49-year-old Anthony Bosch."

' Read the entire Miami New Times' Article HERE.

Here's what Mr. Elfrink's article says about the Nationals' 21-game winning lefty, who was acquired by Washington in a December 2012 trade with the Oakland A's:

"There's also the curious case of Gio Gonzalez, the 27-year-old, Hialeah-native, left-handed hurler who won 21 games last year for the Washington Nationals. Gonzalez's name appears five times in Bosch's notebooks, including a specific note in the 2012 book reading, 'Order 1.c.1 with Zinc/MIC/... and Aminorip. For Gio and charge $1,000.' (Aminorip is a muscle-building protein.)

"Gonzalez's father, Max, also appears on Bosch's client lists and is often listed in conjunction with the pitcher. But reached by phone, the Hialeah resident insists his son has had no contact with Bosch.

"'My son works very, very hard, and he's as clean as apple pie,' the elder Gonzalez says. 'I went to Tony because I needed to lose weight. A friend recommended him, and he did great work for me. But that's it. He never met my son. Never. And if I knew he was doing these things with steroids, do you think I'd be dumb enough to go there?"

Several hours after the article was published online this morning, the Nats' 27-year-old starter released the following messages via his personal (verified) Twitter account @GioGonzalez47):

I've never used performance enhancing drugs of any kind and I never will ,I've never met or spoken with tony Bosch orused any substance

' Gio Gonzalez (@GioGonzalez47) January 29, 2013

Provided by him.anything said to the contrary is a lie.

' Gio Gonzalez (@GioGonzalez47) January 29, 2013

Major League Baseball released a statement on the article this morning which says they are conducting their own investigation into the report:

"We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between players and the use of performance-enhancing substances. These developments, however, provide evidence of the comprehensive nature of our anti-drug efforts. Through our Department of Investigations, we have been actively involved in the issues in South Florida. It is also important to note that three of the players allegedly involved have already been disciplined under the Joint Drug Program...

"Vigilance remains the key toward protecting the integrity of our game. We have the best and most stringent drug testing policy in professional sports, we continue to work with our doctors and trainers to learn what they are seeing day-to-day and we educate our players about the game's unbending zero-tolerance approach. We remain fully committed to following all leads and seeking the appropriate outcomes for all those who use, purchase and are involved in the distribution of banned substances, which have no place in our game.

"We are in the midst of an active investigation and are gathering and reviewing information. We will refrain from further comment until this process is complete."

There is no other information available at the moment, and neither the Nationals or Gonzalez have released any other statements on the report. More info when it is available.

' Here are other reports on the story published this afternoon:

' "Report: Gio linked to PED clinic" - Chase Hughes, NatsInsider.com

' "Nationals Pastime: Linked to alleged PED supplier, Gio Gonzalez denies any usage" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

' "DEVELOPING: Gio Gonzalez among several big-name players linked to Miami drug clinic in report" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' "Report: Gio Gonzalez linked to Miami clinic that supplied performance-enhancing drugs (updated)" - James Wagner, Washington Post

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals Have Four Prospects On MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects List For 2013

The Washington Nationals had four prospects on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospect list when it was released Tuesday night. 2011 1st Round pick Anthony Rendon was the highest-ranked member of the Nats' organization, landing 28th overall after he had a .233/.363/.489 line with eight doubles, four triples and six home runs in 43 games and 160 plate appearances in 2012. Rendon's likely to start his second pro season at Double-A, after playing 21 games with the Nationals' affiliate in Harrisburg, PA at the end of the summer.

An ankle injury suffered in his second game with the High-A Potomac Nationals cost the Nats' 2011 1st Round pick important at bats, but Rendon was one of the best hitters available in the year he was drafted by the Nationals and he continues to impress. As MLB.com's scouts put it tonight in the third baseman's profile, "Rendon has everything needed to be an elite third baseman at the highest level." If he can stay healthy. Rendon was ranked 33rd overall on MLB.com's list in 2011.

Next up for the Nationals on the MLB.com's Top 100 Prospect list was Rendon's fellow 2011 1st Round pick, Brian Goodwin, the 22-year-old, 34th overall pick in that year's draft who spent time at High and Double-A in the Nationals' system in 2012, putting up a .324/.438/.542 line with 18 doubles and nine home runs in 58 games and 266 plate appearances with the Potomac Nationals before moving up to Harrisburg, where he had a .223/.306/.373 line with eight doubles and five home runs in 42 games and 186 PAs.

The top-ranked outfielder in the Nats' organization ended up 52nd overall on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list. In MLB.com's profile tonight, their scouts say, "The center fielder is a premium athlete who profiles as a top-of-the-order catalyst." Goodwin was ranked 67th overall last winter.

' Nats' GM Mike Rizzo on Brian Goodwin on the night of the 2011 Draft: "He's got surprising pop in his bat, he's a plus plus runner, plus plus defensive player, we think he can hit at the top of the order and lead off."

2012 1st Round pick Lucas Giolito was the highest-ranked Nationals' pitching prospect on MLB.com's list. The 6'6'', 225 lb, 18-year-old right-hander made just one start for the Nats' rookie level affiliate in the Gulf Coast League before the ulnar collateral ligament he injured in his senior year at Harvard-Westlake HS in California tore. "'We knew when we drafted him this was an issue,'" Rizzo told reporters including CSNWashington.com's Mark Zuckerman after the team learned Giolito would have surgery, "'And, you know, we were comfortable with the fact that [the] worst-case scenario was Tommy John surgery, and we'll see where that's headed.'" After just one pro start and surgery on his elbow, Giolito was ranked 74th on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospect list.

' From MLB.com's Profile On Lucas Giolito: "His command is much better than it is for most power-armed high schoolers and he gets high marks for his mound presence and makeup."

After a 2012 season in the Oakland A's system that saw A.J. Cole go (6-10) in 27 starts between High and Low-A in the Athletics' system with 29 walks (1.95 BB/9) and 133 Ks (8.96 K/9) in 133.2 innings on the mound, the 21-year-old, 2010 4th Round pick was traded back to the Nationals a year after he was dealt to Oakland in the trade that brought Gio Gonzalez to the nation's capital. Cole was ranked 90th overall last winter. The 6'4'' right-hander moved down one spot this time around, landing 91st overall on MLB.com's 2013 list. "He still has the big arm that made him a big-time prospect in the 2010 Draft," MLB.com's scouts write in their profile, "delivering fastballs that touch 96 mph with good movement."

' Nats' GM Mike Rizzo on A.J. Cole after reacquiring the right-hander: "His delivery wandered a little bit throughout the season. He righted the ship when they sent him to the Midwest League and dominated that league as a 20-year-old, so we feel that he's on course."

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: "I Just Had An Extra Month Of The Offseason. I'm Chomping At The Bit Right Now."

The innings limit controversy overshadowed (at least in national coverage of the Washington Nationals) what Stephen Strasburg accomplished in his first full-year back from Tommy John surgery with the NL East Champion Nats last season. The 24-year-old '09 no.1 overall pick ended his 2012 campaign early, but before he was done, the right-hander won 15 of 28 starts, posted a 3.16 ERA, a 2.82 FIP, 48 walks (2.71 BB/9) and 197 Ks (11.13 K/9) in 159.1 innings pitched, over which he was worth +4.3 fWAR. Asked about what it was like to play a part in the Nationals' division title win and the rebirth of baseball in the nation's capital last year, Strasburg told XTRA Sports 1360 in San Diego's Chris Ello and Ben Higgins in an interview this past Friday that it was a special year in D.C.:

Strasburg: "We have some of the best fans in the country there in D.C. A lot of them have stuck with us through thick and thin, and obviously last year was a huge year for the organization and we are definitely moving in the right direction. It's so much more fun when you are playing in front of sell-out crowds every night."

The Nationals' hard-throwing, K-collecting, surly ace also said he's ready to get going again and looking forward to his fourth MLB campaign, especially after the longer-than-desired layoff that resulted from his season ending early last September. "The way I look at it," Strasburg said, "I just had an extra month of the offseason. I'm chomping at the bit right now." Watching all the moves the Nats have made to make another run this season has impressed Strasburg, who told the show's hosts that the success they're enjoying now is something the organization has been building towards:

Strasburg: "I think they showed a commitment a few years back, especially even when they first started, but nothing really is going to change overnight and it's awesome having great guys in the clubhouse that I can really lean on to learn how to play the game the right way and just learn the winning mentality. It's been great to establish ourselves last year, but now we just gotta keep building up that and we still can't take any team lightly."

Strasburg held his 3rd Annual 5K Walk and Fun Run w/ San Diego State University Aztecs' coach Tony Gwynn this past Saturday with over 1,000 people turning out to help raise money for the SDSU baseball program that produced the Nationals' no.1 starter. Strasburg was on the radio to promote that event and he also did a YouTube spot which you can see below...

' Stephen Strasburg 5K w/ Tony Gwynn:

' LINKS/THANKS: Check out a transcript from our friends at SportsRadioInterviews.com HERE and you can listen to the full interview with XTRA Sports 1360 in San Diego's Chris Ello and Ben Higgins HERE.

' Check out our Strasburg story from last week on what pitching with "no restrictions" really means for the 24-year-old righty in 2013.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals 2013 Fantasy Baseball Preview/Q&A With Razzball.com

Asked by 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s Grant Paulsen if it was going to be Bryce Harper in left and Jayson Werth in right around Denard Span in center in the Washington Nationals' outfield this season, Nats' GM Mike Rizzo replied that it was likely since eventually moving the 20-year-old Harper to a corner was part of the plan from the start when the Nats moved him out from behind the plate upon drafting him no.1 overall in 2010. Will we see Harper in left on Opening Day? "It's a possibility," Rizzo said, "and maybe even probable because you've got an extremely talented and experienced Jayson Werth in right field."

"First of all," the Nationals' general manager explained, "We have three outfielders that are all center field-capable guys and it's going to be a fun, fun outfield to watch play, because you've got three defensive stalwarts out there with range, throwing arms and guys who have great routes and angles to the ball. [Harper's] arm, really, is conducive to right field, but I think in the short term Jayson's going to probably play right field because he's very experienced there and more comfortable there, and Harp needs to learn how to play both left field and right field. Because we forget, this guy was a catcher two and a half years ago and we took him out [from] behind the plate, we threw him in the outfield, he played all three positions and you look up and in Los Angeles, California and the guy's playing center field against the Dodgers, so..."

Another LA-based young superstar and Harper are likely to be compared throughout their respective MLB careers. A recent Q&A with Razzball.com started with a question about what we can expect from Harper in his 20-year-old season after seeing what a 20-year-old Mike Trout did for the Angels in 2012:

Razzball.com: Mike Trout pretty much captured the imagination of the baseball world last year as a rookie and it made a solid season by that one 19 year old kid, Bryce Harper, go a tad unappreciated even with the accolades. Considering the numbers last year were very productive for his age ' 22/18 with a .270 average ' what should fantasy owners expect from Bryce in 2013?

Federalbaseball.com: It's kind of hard to argue that with Harper winning the NL ROY award and receiving the near-constant media attention that he did, that he was even a "tad unappreciated" this past season. Most folks tend to argue that he was over-exposed if anything. I'm sure Harper will go through adjustments again this season as he and the league react to one another and see more of one another. He had a really rough stretch in the second half last season, but turned it on late, putting up .288/.349/.553 line over the last two months of the season. Down the stretch in September/October he had a .330/.400/.643 line. It's hard to imagine him sustaining that sort of production over a full season, though that's pretty close to what Trout put up this year (.326/.399/.564). Bill James is projecting a .272/.347/.476 line for Harper in 2013. Something tells me you won't go wrong with Harper on your fantasy team. He'll also be playing left most likely, which will be a little less demanding physically. It will be interesting to see if that's to his benefit offensively.

' Read the rest of the Q&A HERE

2013 Nationals Fantasy Baseball Preview nblo.gs/HDPzw

' Razzball (@Razzball) January 28, 2013

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals' Jayson Werth Wants Back In The Middle, But Where Is He Needed In 2013?

As the oft-repeated anecdote has it, and as Baltimore Sun writer David Schmuck recounted in a 1995 article, Davey Johnson used to, "... borrow time on the computer system at [Baltimore] Orioles owner Jerry Hoffberger's brewery," so that he could, in Johnson's own words, "... work on this program I called 'Optimizing the Orioles Lineup.'" As Johnson explained it, he, "... would run it through the computer and bring the data to Earl Weaver," who managed Johnson with the O's when the infielder was on the team from 1968-72.

"I found out that if I hit second instead of seventh," Johnson said, "we'd score 50 or 60 more runs and that would translate into a few more wins. I gave it to him, and it went right into the garbage can.'" The way Johnson, who is about to turn 70 on January 30th describes it, and the way Jayson Werth talks, it sounds like the two are a modern day Johnson and Weaver, though the Nats' skipper seems more willing to consider his player's opinion than the late, notoriously churlish Weaver was willing to consider Johnson's.

When D.C. GM Mike Rizzo discussed the Nats' outfield recently, the general manager sounded committed to the idea of Bryce Harper moving to left field with Jayson Werth staying in right now that Denard Span's taking over in center. Rizzo told 106.7 the FAN In D.C.'s Grant Paulsen this weekend in an interview from NatsFest that though Harper might profile better in right down the line it's possible he'll end up playing left in 2013, "... and maybe even probable because you've got an extremely talented and experienced Jayson Werth in right field." The 20-year-old Harper, who spent a lot of time in center last season, Rizzo said, "... needs to learn how to play both left field and right field."

The Nationals' skipper wasn't willing to commit either way when he talked to the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore for a late November article. Before making a decision, the manager heading into his 16th season on the bench in the majors told the WaPost's Mr. Kilgore, "'I would probably check with my resident genius Werth and see what his preference is. I'm comfortable with him there [in right]. The young stud could play either one." The Nationals also need to decide where everyone is going to hit.

Davey Johnson was already talking lineups at the Winter Meetings and during his charity golf tournament this winter. Before the Nats brought left-handed slugger Adam LaRoche back on a 2-year/$24M dollar deal, the Nats' skipper said he had talked to Harper about where he might hit in his second major league season. "If we don't re'sign LaRoche," Johnson told reporters, "I told [Harper], he was at the golf tournament, I might have to hit you cleanup. He said, no, I want to hit third. But he could move out of that No.2 hole because I think he's going to have'' he had a good year last year, but I think he's going to have a breakout year coming up."

Johnson talked this winter about how much he liked having Werth and Harper 1-2 in his lineup in 2012, but after the team acquired Span, he said it would be a question of how he was going to align his hitters behind the prototypical leadoff man the Nationals acquired from the Twins. The Nats' GM predicted a move back to the middle of the lineup for Werth when he discussed the possibilities for his $126M dollar outfielder in an MLB Network Radio interview this winter.

"I think his skill set profiles as a middle-of-the-lineup type of hitter," Rizzo said, "You're a much better team when you have a good leadoff man and Jayson driving in runs in the five-hole or six-hole or wherever it might be for the team."

While he said he was happy doing what he could to help the team at the top of the order when he spoke to reporters including the Washington Post's James Wagner this past weekend at NatsFest, Werth did say that if it was up to him, "'I'd want to hit in the middle of the order. It's the best place for me. But with the guys we had, I think just for our team that is what was best for us.'" Now that Span is on the roster, it's time to rethink things.

Werth, who didn't admit to running things through the Lerner's computer or doing any sabermetric analysis, told the WaPost's Mr. Wagner that he'd talk things over with Johnson this Spring. "'I think I got like five or six different lineups that we can roll out there,'" Werth says in the article, "'We'll see what Davey wants to do. I feel confident in every one.'" Will Johnson throw Werth's iPad in the garbage when the outfielder presents his slideshow of ideas for the lineup? Where will Werth hit in 2013? Who's going to hit second after Span? Werth? Ian Desmond?

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals' Top Prospect Anthony Rendon On Path Toward D.C. In 2013

Torn ligaments in his right ankle. A fractured right ankle in a separate, unrelated injury. A strained shoulder that limited him to DH duties in his Junior year/draft year at Rice. A fall to the 6th overall pick held by the Washington Nationals when he was once considered a potential no.1 overall selection. A partial fracture of his left ankle two games into his first pro season with the High-A Potomac Nationals. It's been a rough two-plus years for the Nats' 2011 1st Round pick, Anthony Rendon, who did, however, manage to: 1. Put up a .327/.520/.523 line with an NCAA-best 80 walks over 63 games in his final collegiate campaign; 2. Get taken in the 1st Round of the 2011 Draft and 3. Move up to Double-A quickly in the Nats' organization in spite of another serious injury early in his pro career.

In a Houston Chronicle article this past May after the latest ankle injury, the 22-year-old infielder, who'll turn 23 in June 2013, told reporter Joseph Duarte that he doubted he would play again in 2012. A Nationals' spokesman who talked to MASNSports.com's Byron Kerr at the time told him that barring any setbacks Rendon would be back on the field in late July or August and he was, returning to play in the NY/Penn League with the Auburn Doubledays before going back to Potomac and then Double-A Harrisburg before his first pro season came to an end.

The former Rice Owls' third baseman finished his first year in the Nationals' organization with a .233/.363/.489 line, eight doubles, four triples and six home runs in 43 games and 160 plate appearances. Rendon then went to the Arizona Fall League where he posted a .338/.436/.494 line with 10 doubles, a triple, 15 walks and 14 Ks in 77 at bats over 22 games, earning himself a roster spot in the AFL Rising Stars Game and receiving recognition as one of the top players to take part in the so-called "finishing school" for the game's top prospects.

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo had Rendon atop his list of the Nationals' prospects this winter, describing the infielder Mike Rizzo said had, "Gold Glove caliber defensive skills at third base," when he drafted him, as, "... a plus defender at third," who, "... has the kind of advanced approach," at the plate, "that should allow him to move quickly while hitting for average and power."

Baseball America's Aaron Fitt agreed, putting Rendon no.1 on BA's 2013 Nats' Top 10 Prospect list. Baseball America also had Rendon listed as the "Best Hitter For Average," with the "Best Strikezone Discipline" and they picked him as the "Best Defensive Infielder" in the Nats' organization. Minor League Ball's John Sickels gave Rendon a B+ grade (adding that he was "Borderline A") when he too ranked him as the Nationals' top prospect earlier this winter.

Rendon, who signed a 4-year/$7.2M dollar major league deal after he was drafted in 2011, attended his first major league spring training last March and he'll be back in camp with the Nats at the start of Grapefruit League action this year as well. Asked about the plans for the team's top prospect in a recent MLB Network Radio interview, Nats' GM Mike Rizzo said Rendon would see time at different spots around the infield as he did last spring before he's sent to minor league camp and on to Double-A where he's likely to start his second pro season.

"Anthony's going to come to spring training and play several different positions for Davey [Johnson] in spring training," Rizzo said, "But when we send him down to the minor leagues, he'll concentrate primarily at third base and we may shift him around a little bit, because we want [Matt] Skole to play a little bit [of] third base also in Double-A. But we think [Rendon's] primary position is at third base, but he's athletic enough to play shortstop and second base, and I think you'll get a look at him in those positions in spring training for sure."

In an interview with 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier this weekend, Rendon told the hosts that his success in the AFL was a confidence boost after he'd struggled upon returning to the minors this July following the ankle injury. "I was really just trying to find out where I was at," Rendon said, "And just trying to learn how to hit again and when I got to Arizona it just started clicking and I started trying to feel normal again and I just started going back to the basics, trying to square up the baseball, put the barrel on it and just let the ball work for [itself]." Asked about potentially switching positions to get up to the majors as soon as possible, Rendon said he thought the organization and Nats' GM Mike Rizzo knew he'd do anything he was asked.

"I think he knows this is everybody's dream to come up and play at the highest level," Rendon said, "And I'm just trying... any way I can, I just want to play the game and if he feels I can play this position or that position and if it's my time, then it's my time." As for what he's been told to work on, the young infielder said he's just been told to do what he does and get used to the routine nature of the professional game. "They just told me to try to get into a routine," Rendon said, "That's what you're going to do every day if you eventually make it. You've got to get used to the routine, you know, it's a daily grind every day."

"So that's what I've been trying to do this whole offseason," Rendon continued, "Trying to get used to the routine so when I go into spring training I'm already used to it." Staying healthy for a whole season has to be the main goal for the Nationals' top prospect, however, who needs to show that he can stay on the field and produce, but starting the season at Double-A sets him up for a similar jump to the one the Nationals' current major league infielders have made in recent years.

Ian Desmond, who was in his sixth major league season after being drafted out of high school, was 23 when he started the 2009 season at Double-A made the jump to Triple-A and then made his major league debut late that season. Danny Espinosa was 23 in 2010 in his second full major league season after the Nationals drafted him out college in 2008 when he started the season at Double-A, jumped to Triple-A and debuted late that season and Steve Lombardozzi was 22 in his fourth minor league campaign when repeated the process in 2011.

"I'm just out there trying to have fun with it," Rendon said when asked about the wait and knowing how close he was to the majors, "I've been doing this my whole life, I've been playing baseball. The game hasn't changed, obviously only the competition has gotten better. So when it's my time to come up it will be my time..."

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Wire Taps: Washington Nationals' #NatsFest; Stephen Strasburg 5K; New Racing President?

The Washington Nationals held their winter "NatsFest" this weekend, with 7,000 Nats fans turning out at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to meet their favorite players, talk to Nationals' executives and witness the unveiling of the newest contestant in the Presidents Race, one William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States. Here's how the Nationals (who take this stuff VERY seriously) announced the newest addition to the 4th inning tradition in a press release this weekend:

"Chosen for his competitive streak and the indelible mark he left on the national pastime, Taft holds the distinction of throwing out the first Presidential Ceremonial First Pitch on April 14, 1910 at Griffith Stadium in D.C. Legend has it he also accidentally inspired the seventh-inning stretch.

"A law expert, historian and staunch follower of the Constitution, Taft was hand-selected by President Theodore Roosevelt to serve as his successor. After his presidency, Taft became the 10th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and is the only person to have served both as U.S. President and Chief Justice.

"Known as the 'Big Chief,' Bill will no doubt use his mighty stature to strike fear in his racing opponents."

The other big story to come out of NatsFest was the news on Danny Espinosa's torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. Espinosa first talked about the injury, which wasn't diagnosed until the season was over, during an ESPN980 interview on Friday, but he "broke" the news to reporters the next afternoon when he and his beard appeared at NatsFest. Long Story Short: Espinosa learned he had a more severe injury than the mid-September MRI he had revealed, but he opted against having surgery and rehabbed his shoulder all winter so he'd be ready for Spring Training: Good decision? Bad decision? Internet doctors everywhere are sharing their opininons. (ed. note - "I'm told not everyone with a medical opinion on the internet claiming to be a doctor is really a doctor. There should be a disclaimer somewhere.") Here's the news from NatsFest in case you weren't there or weren't paying attention this weekend... Links and Lots of them, Starting RIGHT NOW!!!:

' THE BIG STORY!!!:

' "'Teddy has handpicked the next president for the Presidents' Race,' Nationals COO Andy Feffer said late Friday." - "Nats will name William Howard Taft new racing president" - Dan Steinberg, D.C. Sports Bog/Washington Post

' NATS BEAT:

' "He has been on a rehab program since October, strengthening the muscles around a rotator cuff he said is 'almost completely torn,' and will have no restrictions has he heads into spring training." - "Danny Espinosa played with torn rotator cuff in 2012, will be ready for spring training" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' "[Danny] Espinosa said if he had surgery, he would have missed two months of the regular season. He avoided surgery by rehabbing the shoulder all offseason." - "Washington Nationals' Danny Espinosa says he's dealing with torn rotator cuff" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

' "'It's already torn,' [Danny] Espinosa said. 'So as long as I just keep up with my maintenance on my other muscles around the shoulder, I should be fine.'" - "Espinosa will play with torn rotator cuff" - Mark Zuckerman, CSN Washington

' "The rotator cuff is torn almost completely off the bone, but instead of having surgery to repair the muscle, which would have caused him to miss the first two months of the season, Espinosa opted to rehab the injury." - "Nationals Pastime: Espinosa played with torn rotator cuff last season" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

' "'I knew something was wrong,' [Danny] Espinosa said Saturday. 'The cortisone shot masked me for a little bit. Everyone kept asking me 'Is your shoulder okay? Is your shoulder okay?'" - "Danny Espinosa says he played with torn rotator cuff" - Eric Detweiler, Washington Post

' "'At the end of the season last year, that was one of things that I was dealing with: strength. I didn't have the strength,' said Werth..." - "Jayson Werth still gaining strength in wrist, ready to move out of leadoff spot" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' NatsFest Twitter - via @NationalsPR:

Fans gather to listen to the "State of the Nats" address from Mark Lerner and Mike Rizzo. #NatsFest twitter.com/NationalsPR/st'

' Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) January 26, 2013

' NatsFest Twitter - via @NationalsPR:

Ian Desmond (@iandesmond20) and Denard Span (@thisisdspan) sign autographs. #NatsFest twitter.com/NationalsPR/st'

' Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) January 26, 2013

' VIDEO: NatsFest Sights And Sounds via CSNWashington.com's Chase Hughes:

' "But with the addition of Denard Span, [Jayson] Werth will move down to the middle of the order ' most likely sixth ' and that's fine with him." - "Werth's wrist still not at full strength" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

' "Jayson Werth on Danny Espinosa's super beard: 'I think he looks fantastic! I wish more guys would do it.'" - "Nationals Pastime: Werth: 'I think we've got the best team in baseball" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

' "[Jordan] Zimmermann, who is represented by the SFX Baseball Group, lets his agents handle the contract talks but stays up-to-date on any negotiations." - "Zimmermann, Rizzo on contract talks" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

' "Arbitration hearings are set to begin Feb. 4, and parties can continue to negotiate until then, though Zimmermann said talks are 'kind of hung up right now.'" - "Jordan Zimmermann in no rush for deal to avoid arbitration" - Eric Detweiler, Washington Post

' NatsFest Twitter - via @NationalsPR:

Ross Detwiler (@nationaldet) and Tyler Clippard (@tylerclippard) pose for pictures. twitter.com/NationalsPR/st'

' Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) January 26, 2013

' "[Jordan] Zimmermann also said that he would be interested in a multi-year deal, but wants to get the one-year deal done first." - "Zimmermann, Nats not close to contract agreement" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

' "'We're kind of hung up right now,' [Jordan] Zimmermann said Saturday, with both he and general manager Mike Rizzo reiterating their desire to reach an agreement without going to a hearing.'" - "Jordan Zimmermann and Ian Desmond on the possibility of multi-year deals" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' "But through talking it out, both [Drew] Storen and [Tyler] Clippard found a way it can be good for the team and eventually positive for them individually as well." - "Storen, Clippard try to move on" - Chase Hughes, NatsInsider.com

' "[Mike] Rizzo personally spoke to Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard and said that he had discussions with the two relievers about their roles and how the team views them after the signing of closer Rafael Soriano." - "Nationals Pastime: Rizzo on All-Star Game, Vasquez, Zimmermann, more" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

' NatsFest Twitter - via @NationalsPR:

Dan Haren and Denard Span join Bob Carpenter on stage for the "New Guys" press conf. #NatsFest twitter.com/NationalsPR/st'

' Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) January 26, 2013

' "General Manager Mike Rizzo drafted [Justin] Upton with the first overall pick in 2005 as the Diamondbacks' scouting director, and he believes Upton is a great addition for the Braves..." - "Mike Rizzo on the Justin Upton trade, Javier Vazquez, long-term deals" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

' "The last time he was in front of a crowd of Nationals fans, [Drew] Storen suffered arguably his darkest moment on a mound." - "Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard accept new Nats bullpen reality" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' "[Drew] Storen found out about [Rafael] Soriano while looking at Twitter. He then called [Tyler] Clippard to tell him the news." - "Storen excited about Nationals' bullpen depth" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

' "Despite being an established major league starter after winning the National League Rookie of the Year last season, [Bryce] Harper doesn't seem himself needing to do anything differently this spring." - "Nationals Pastime: Hearing from Harper on declining to play in WBC, lineup positioning" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

' "[Denard] Span is still getting used to being on a new team after being in the Minnesota Twins' organization since being drafted in 2002." - "Span ready to connect with D.C." - Chase Hughes, NatsInsider.com

' NatsFest Twitter - via @NationalsPR:

The trophy room... #NatsFest twitter.com/NationalsPR/st'

' Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) January 26, 2013

' NatsFest Twitter - via @NationalsPR:

Huge crowds form to see @giogonzalez47 and friends take over the stage. #NatsFest twitter.com/NationalsPR/st'

' Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) January 26, 2013

' "Looking noticeably more muscular, [Bryce] Harper met the local media on Saturday for the first time in months..." - "Bryce Harper excited by Nationals' offseason moves" - Eric Detweiler, Washington Post

' "'I think it was just too serious of at-bats for right now,' [Bryce] Harper said of declining the WBC invite." - "Bryce Harper declined invite to WBC to keep focus on preparing for Nationals' season" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' "Looking noticeably more muscular, [Bryce] Harper met the local media on Saturday for the first time in months..." - "Bryce Harper excited by Nationals' offseason moves" - Eric Detweiler, Washington Post

' "Jayson Werth says that his left wrist, which he broke early last May, is not completely healed, but feels good enough that he can play and still be effective." - "Nationals Pastime: Extending the conversation about extensions" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

' "10. Chris Marrero, Nationals: Marrero worked hard, moving up the Nats' ladder slowly after being a first-round pick out of high school back in 2006." - "Prospect Watch: Top 10 first basemen" - Jonathan Mayo, nationals.com: News

' "[Drew] Storen emerged from his offseason on Saturday at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where nearly 5,000 fans gathered for the the team's Nats Fest." - "Drew Storen emerges from long offseason at Washington Nationals' fan festival" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

' NatsFest Twitter - via @NationalsPR:

#Nationals players meet with the local media during #NatsFest twitter.com/NationalsPR/st'

' Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) January 26, 2013

' NatsFest Twitter - via @NationalsPR:

Brian Goodwin(@ml_bg0od), Matt Skole (@mattskole16) and Anthony Rendon at #NatsFest twitter.com/NationalsPR/st'

' Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) January 26, 2013

' "Like the rest of us, [Drew] Storen initially was taken aback by the [Rafael] Soriano signing. In Storen and [Tyler] Clippard, the Nats already had two guys who had combined to save 79 games over the last two seasons." - "Nationals Pastime: Storen, Clippard react to Soriano signing, crowded bullpen" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

' Storen and Clippard At NatsFest via CSN Washington's Chase Hughes:

' NatsFest Twitter - via @NationalsPR:

Thanks to the more than 7,000 #Nats fans who came out for #NatsFest today. We can't wait for #OpeningDay! twitter.com/Nationals/stat'

' Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 27, 2013

' PRESIDENTS RACE/TAFT STORIES:

' "The competition just got tougher for Abe, Tom, George and Teddy." - "Washington Nationals' new racing mascot: Taft" - Nick Gass - POLITICO.com

' "Nationals introduce William Howard Taft (Photos, Video)" - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!

' Taft Introduction via WTOP Sports:

' "The Racing Presidents are 12-foot over-sized mascots who race during the fourth inning of each home game." - "Introduction of Taft headlines busy NatsFest" - Jeff Seidel, nationals.com: News

' "The Nationals' presidents race just got a whole lot bigger." - "William Howard Taft will be Nats' 5th 'Racing President'"- WashingtonExaminer.com

' "While Taft's size may leave fans scratching their heads, wondering how his rather large figure will hold up running, there are many reasons as to why Taft is a great choice..." - "Washington Nationals welcome Taft as new racer" - WTOP.com

' "The Washington Nationals announced Friday night that they'd 'agreed to terms' with William Howard Taft, 'pending physical,' to become the fifth president in the team's gameday Presidents' Race." - "Taft joins Nationals' Presidents' Race" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' "On the stage in the main ballroom of the event, the first mascot addition since 2006 was shown to the public for the first time." - "William Howard Taft unveiled as the new racing president" - James Wagner, Washington Post

' "The real Roosevelt chose Taft to replace him in the Oval Office but the two had a falling out when Taft alienated more liberal members of the Republican Party." - "Nationals add Teddy rival to dash" - AP/WTOP.com

' Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama):

If you are honest, truthful, and transparent, people trust you. Ifpeople trust you, you have no grounds for fear, suspicion or jealousy.

' Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) January 28, 2013

' NATSSHARKTOWN:

' "NatsFest" - Sharkadina

' NATSTOWN:

' "Is William Taft a more random choice for the 5th racing president? Who here, prior to today, would have even named Taft as a short-list candidate?" - "William Taft??" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arm Race

' "January 27, 1933 The Senators release 1st baseman Joe Judge (See May 25th birthdays.) who will then sign on with the Brooklyn Dodgers." - "This Date in Washington Senators History ' Senators release Joe Judge" - Art Audley, D.C. Baseball History

' "Video: Drew Storen gets a standing ovation at NatsFest" - Nats Enquirer

' "Nats Fest 2013: Reigniting Your Natitude" - Erin Flynn, The Nats Blog

' "Former Washington National and fan favorite, Michael Morse returned to Seattle for Mariners Fan Fest this weekend." - "FORMER NATS: Michael Morse Returns to Seattle" - Cheryl Nichols, District Sports Page

' "What's the path of least resistance to the Nats doing the unthinkable and missing the playoffs entirely?" - "The Nightmare Scenario : Missing the Playoffs" - Harper, Nationals Baseball

' NL EAST UPDATES:

' Braves: "With [Martin] Prado, the Diamondbacks finally get the third baseman they've been looking for, and a pretty good one at that." - "Braves Acquire Justin Upton" - Dave Cameron, FanGraphs Baseball

' Mets: "'We continue to look, but I think, realistically at this point, there's not a lot left on the shelf,' general manager Sandy Alderson said on Sirius XM's MLB Network Radio yesterday." - "New York Mets still trying to make moves to improve team for 2013 season" - Dan Martin, NYPOST.com

' Braves: "A day after the trade for Justin Upton was completed, the buzz meter barely back to over-the-top, the Braves returned to work Friday. For pitcher Brandon Beachy, that meant another morning of rehabilitation and long toss." - "Beachy nears next rehab step: throwing off mound" - Carroll Rogers, www.ajc.com

' Marlins: "Former MLB commissioner Fay Vincent made a good point when he told me recently that Jeffrey Loria 'is an odd owner in that he runs the club without regard to people who are paying the bills.'" - "More Loria behavior criticized; Dolphins, Heat, Canes chatter" - Barry Jackson, Miami Herald

' Phillies: "Although some free agents remain unsigned, most rosters are set, including the Phillies'. After signing Delmon Young, the Phils have little else they can do to enhance their roster." - "Don't believe everything you heard, or thought, about the Phillies" - Ryan Lawrence, Philadelphia Daily News

' Stephen Strasburg 5K w/ Tony Gwynn:

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals' Danny Espinosa Talks About Torn Rotator Cuff, Decision To Rehab Rather Than Have Surgery

Washington Nationals' second baseman Danny Espinosa talked to reporters this afternoon about the torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder after revealing the details of the injury on ESPN980's The Sports Reporters this past Thursday. Espinosa talked openly in the radio interview about how he was just starting to turn things around at the plate after a rough first half of the 2012 season when he suffered the shoulder injury this past summer. "I started to swing the bat better about halfway through the season," the 25-year-old infielder explained, "until I got injured and found out that I had torn my rotator cuff in my left shoulder. That really set me back that last month when I was doing well. It was an injury that really affected my swing and my mobility with my arm, but I rehabbed it and it's a lot better now."

Espinosa had an MRI in mid-September which revealed a bone bruise and swelling, and he had a cortisone shot at the time which lessened the pain, but as he told reporters this afternoon, another examination by Dr. Lewis Yocum, this one done with contrast dye after the season ended and the issue persisted, revealed a full tear of the rotator cuff in his left shoulder which the second-year second baseman said definitely affected his production down the stretch. Espinosa finished his second full season in the majors with a .247/.315/.402 line, 37 doubles, 17 HRs and 20 stolen bases in 160 games and 658 plate appearances over which he was worth +3.8 fWAR.

The Nats' second baseman started the second half with a .293/.344/.482 line from mid-July to early September when he injured the shoulder on a diving defensive play in a game against Miami. Espinosa had a .171/.247/.271 line the rest of the way and went 1 for 15 with seven strikeouts in the five-game NLDS with St. Louis.

The Nationals' 08 3rd Round pick said today he decided against surgery because it would likely have caused him to miss several months at the start of the 2013 campaign, opting instead to build strength in his shoulder with the help of his trainers in the hope that it would be strong enough to allow him to play in the upcoming season.

Espinosa played through the pain last year and is apparently going to try to play with the injury this season. Davey Johnson talked openly last summer about the difficulty he had getting either of his middle infielders to sit out, telling reporters, "I've got to fight the two guys up the middle, whenever I say, 'Let me give you a day off,'" the response he gets is, "'Are you kidding me? Are we trying to win or what?'"

In spite of his struggles at the plate, the Nats' skipper expressed confidence in Espinosa's abilities earlier this winter, telling the Washington Post's James Wagner, that he expected a big year from the infielder who made "giant steps" in his development in his second full season in the majors this past summer, playing all but two games for the NL East division champs.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo On 106.7 The FAN In D.C.; + Other NatsFest News

Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo told 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s Grant Paulsen this afternoon in an interview from NatsFest that though the defending NL East champs and their fanbase have come a long way since the 100-loss days just a few years back, he tries to never forget what it took to get where they are now. "I try to never forget about that," the 52-year-old Nats' executive said, "because it's really a driving force of mine to never get in that situation again. These things are very cyclical and they're very fluid and we always have to remember, and that's why my credo is always, 'We're always looking at this year, but we're always looking for the future,' and when most of the fans are looking at the 25-man roster, myself and my staff, we're looking at the 250-man roster throughout the system and trying to keep this thing going for the long term."

The Nats' General Manager eventually signed free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche to a two-year/$24M dollar deal this winter, after LaRoche spent a considerable amount of time looking for a three-year deal. In today's interview, Rizzo said that he felt the veteran infielder earned the right to check the market with nine years of hard work. "These guys earn free agency," Rizzo said, "It doesn't come easy. They're the elite players in the world and I felt for us to get the deal that we had to get to make it work, that it was almost my obligation to allow him to see what else was out there and then come back to us at the end and see if we could make a deal." LaRoche's return was one of the final pieces that came together for the 2013 roster. Earlier this winter the Nationals traded with the Twins to get the center fielder they've been after for the last few years.

Denard Span, acquired earlier from Minnesota straight-up for top pitching prospect Alex Meyer, is a player the team and their general manager have been following for a long time now and as the GM explained today, they're confident about his health after he's struggled with concussion issues and played just one full season in the last three years. Rizzo told 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s Mr. Paulsen that the Nationals were satisfied with what they saw from the 28-year-old outfielder when they looked at his medical records. "We've done a lot of due diligence on his health and where he was at," the GM said, "And he was a guy that we had our eyes on for several years. I've scouted him when he was a high school player in Florida. So I know the background, I know the history of the player."

In addition to being great in the community and in the clubhouse, Rizzo said Span, "... does a lot of things that we needed. We felt that if we got ourselves a prototypical defensive, ballhawking-type of center fielder, it would allow me to move [Bryce Harper] over to a corner where I think he's going to flourish offensively and really make his career that much longer." The Nationals moved Harper from behind the plate when they drafted him and are now moving him to a corner where they think he belongs, so that he can, "... focus more on his offensive ability and his offensive game rather than being that captain of the outfield where he's setting the defense and that type of thing."

The Nationals also made a significant addition to the rotation in the form of Dan Haren. Though other teams expressed concern about the 32-year-old right-hander's decreased velocity in the last few years and last season in particular as he struggled in the first half (going on the DL for the first time in his career) before improving in the second-half of his 10th MLB season, Rizzo said they were comfortable adding Haren after seeing his records as well. "We feel that we've got ourselves a guy that's going to contribute for us throughout the full season," Rizzo said, "And the guy that pitched last year, if we get that guy we'll certainly be satisfied with that, but we feel that we're going to get the guy that pitched in 2011 and 2010 and then we'll really have ourselves a front of the rotation guy pitching as one of our five starters."

As for the decrease in velocity over the last few years, Rizzo told 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s Mr. Paulsen that he was confident that Haren would be completely recovered this season. "When we signed him he went directly to New York City and went with one of our orthopedics people there," Rizzo said, "They rubber stamped it and said that he's good to go. We've got a lot more flexibility in the hip area that has been something that he's pitched with his whole career. I saw him pitch with the hip situation all the way back in Pepperdine. So he's had this throughout his baseball career and we feel that he's going to increase range of motion in the hip which I think will translate into added velocity, which isn't his game, but I think that we're going to get back the guy that's pitching at 90-91 [mph] and touching 92 rather than the guy that's pitching at 88-90 and touching 91."

' Here are some of the other Tweeted highlights from NatsFest, which saw some 7,000 fans turn out to meet and talk to a members of the defending NL East Champion's roster...

.@chasehughescsn has the reaction from Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard to the #Nats signing Rafael Soriano: bit.ly/YvIxkA

' Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) January 26, 2013

Drew Storen got a standing ovation when he walked on-stage for his fan Q@A. "That's an awesome feeling."

' Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) January 26, 2013

Interesting note from Jayson Werth: his wrist isn't as strong as he'd like, but feels good. Said total recovery for wrist actually ~18 mo.s.

' Amanda Comak (@acomak) January 26, 2013

Bryce Harper was asked to be on Team USA in WBC. Declined because it'll be 1st spring really on big league team. Hopes to play in next WBC.

' Amanda Comak (@acomak) January 26, 2013

Harper on LaRoche: "I'm just thankful I don't have to hit four-hole." Not sure where he'll be in lineup but hopes to hit second behind Span.

' James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) January 26, 2013

Also, Harper did say he was asked to play for Team USA in the WBC, but declined. Said the ABs would just be too serious that early in ST

' Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) January 26, 2013

OFFICIAL: #Nats introduce #5thPresident @natsbigchief27 to standing room only crowd at #NatsFest twitter.com/Nationals/stat'

' Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 26, 2013

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Wire Taps: Washington Nationals' Danny Espinosa Talks Beards, Shoulder Injury And Strikeouts On ESPN980's The Sports Reporters

Washington Nationals' second baseman Danny Espinosa finished the first half of his second full major league season with a .232/.309/.374 line, 20 doubles, seven home runs, 27 walks and 95 Ks in 82 games and 340 plate appearances. The '08 3rd Round pick out of Cal State Long Beach had a .300/.330/.490 line in the month of July, however, with eight doubles, a triple, three home runs, two walks and 31 Ks in 26 games and 107 PAs. August wasn't as kind to the Nats' infielder. Espinosa had a .259/.331/.420 line with three doubles, five home runs, eight walks and 35 Ks in 29 games and 124 plate appearances and he continued to struggle down the stretch as the Nationals tried to wrap up their first NL East division crown.

Espinosa's third season in D.C. ended with the second baseman posting a .243/.310/.408 line with eight doubles, three home runs, nine walks and 36 Ks in 30 games and 113 PAs in September/October. In mid-September, the 25-year-old had an MRI on his shoulder, explaining to reporters at the time, including the Washington Times' Amanda Comak, that he had no strength in his shoulder. "'It was just so much weakness in my shoulder that I couldn't do anything with it,'" Espinosa said. The MRI revealed a bone bruise and inflammation, but no significant damage to the rotator cuff or labrum according to several reports. The infielder had a cortisone shot and continued to play for the rest of the season and stayed in the lineup through the end of the NLDS.

Espinosa had the NL's highest K total and third highest strikeout total in the majors with 189 in 594 PAs when the regular season ended, finishing behind only the Yankees' Curtis Granderson at 195 Ks and the White Sox' Adam Dunn at 222 Ks. The positives? Espinosa continued to play strong defense and filled in more-than-adequately at short (his original position) when Ian Desmond was sidelined for several weeks. His 37 doubles were the most by any National, the hard-hitting switch hitter's 17 HRs were the fifth-most on the Nats' roster and he finished the year with the fourth-highest fWAR (+3.8) amongst hitters on the team, tied with Adam LaRoche (+3.8) behind only third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (+4.5), center fielder Bryce Harper (+4.9) and his fellow middle infielder Ian Desmond (+5.4).

There was enough chatter about the situation at second base throughout the season and after it ended that Davey Johnson addressed the matter in an early December conversation with the Washington Post's James Wagner. The Nats' skipper told the WaPost reporter that he remained confident in Espinosa's abilities, and saw him as one of several Nationals who'd yet to reach the ceiling of their talent. As for his struggles at the plate, the manager said he understood the slow pace of the second baseman's development:

"'I talked to Danny,' Johnson said. 'I understand Danny very well because he reminds me of myself. He's stubborn.'"

Espinosa had, in Johnson's opinion, "... made giant steps this year," and as the 69-year-old former major league second baseman explained, he has competition (in the form of Steve Lombardozzi) to push him and the right mindset, which Johnson compared to Ian Desmond's heading into 2012, so the Nationals' manager expected big things from Espinosa in 2013. In an interview with Espinosa on ESPN980's The Sports Reporters Thursday afternoon, the infielder said he is aware of his own issues and what is keeping him from really breaking out at the major league level and is working hard to improve on his weaknesses.

"I'm somewhat starting to figure out what type of game, what type of player that I am," Espinosa said. "My strikeouts last year were, you know... --"

"High," the host interrupted. "189. Most among second baseman."

"Way too high," Espinosa agreed. "Way, way way too high."

"For anyone to say anything about it," Espinosa continued through a slightly garbled connection, "Don't think that I don't know... [inaudible] ... I understand what my weakness are and I work hard to improve them. Last year I started to swing the bat better about halfway through the season, until I got injured and found out that I had torn my rotator cuff in my left shoulder. That really set me back that last month when I was doing well. It was an injury that really affected my swing and my mobility with my arm, but I rehabbed it and it's a lot better now."

In describing his approach or philosophy at the plate, Espinosa told the Sports Reporters it's really situational.

"To me it depends on everything that happens," he said, "If the guy in front of me has swung the bat and gets out on the first pitch, well obviously I'm not going to do the same. I'm not going to go up there and take the first pitch and have a chance to get out on one pitch and now the pitcher has got two pitches and two outs. I'm not going to do that, I'm trying to think with the game a little bit. So I'm not going to go up there and be ultra-aggressive. If the situation calls for it to where I can be and I get a good pitch that I'm looking for then yes I will be.

"But I'm not going to go up there and just swing. I'm all right with taking pitches even though my strikeouts were high. I wasn't a strikeout guy really until the last two years..."

"And you're hitting more home runs too," the host interjected.

"Right," Espinosa said. His K% has risen significantly too. In his first full pro season in 2009, he had a 22.4 K% in 133 games and 576 PAs at Class-A Potomac. In 2010, Espinosa had a 21.4 K% between Double and Triple-A before his MLB debut and in his first two full seasons in D.C., that's jumped up to a 25.2 K% in 2011 and a 28.7 K% in 2012. "So it was just one of those things where I had gotten overly-aggressive and swinging too hard and trying to pull the ball probably too much and trying to do too much at bat to at bat," Espinosa explained, "Rather than just going up there and using my hands and trying to hit for a good average."

It sounds like Danny Espinosa gets it.

' Listen to Danny Espinosa on ESPN980's The Sports Reporters HERE.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals Strengthen A Strength With Rafael Soriano Signing

The trade of Justin Upton to the Atlanta Braves has in all likelihood made 2013's National League East race that much closer. Given that the outfielder is under contract for the next three years, as is much of the Braves' core, the landscape of division races beyond 2013 have also changed with this one move. If anything, this transaction has magnified the importance of the Nationals' most-recent major move: the signing of closer Rafael Soriano. The Upton and Soriano deals may not seem like they belong in the same sentence in terms of impact, but it just might be the case that they do.

There is a feeling that exists, especially among the stat-friendly, that relievers are generally overpaid. The crux of this argument is essentially that relievers are volatile creatures, and successful ones tend to appear from nowhere. Why spend money on relief help when it can simply be procured from failed starters or reclamation projects that can be had on the cheap? Yet, the fact that relievers are so volatile is precisely why pitchers like Soriano should be paid: since 2006, Soriano owns a 160 ERA+ over nearly 400 innings. That's the eighth-best ERA+, minimum 300 games pitched, during that stretch, and Soriano is the second-youngest of the group besides Jonathan Papelbon, who signed an even longer and more lucrative deal one winter ago.

To put a finer point on it, just 25 of the 85 relievers with at least 300 games over the last seven years even managed to be 30 percent better than average, never mind Soriano's impressive 60 percent. He's exactly what you talk about when you think of consistent and elite back-end bullpen pieces, and if not for the compensation pick attached to him, he would have been off of the market that much sooner for it.

Despite how well he's separated himself from the rest of relieverdom, to no one's surprise, many of the reactions to Soriano's signing a two-year, $28 million contract with the Washington Nationals involved eye rolling or outright laughter. But signing Soriano is exactly the kind of thing that a team in the Nationals' position should be doing. Sure, it cost them money and a draft pick, but when a roster is mostly set and there remains budget to be spent, upgrading where you can is a worthwhile tactic. The bullpen was the one obvious area of need for one of the best teams in baseball, and Soriano was more than qualified to rectify that issue.

The Nationals are set up to win now. They might have loads of young talent still in the pipeline, but there is also plenty of ready youth on the big-league roster. Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond and others are coming in to their own at the same time that the likes of Ryan Zimmerman, Gio Gonzalez, and Jayson Werth are enjoying the prime of their careers. Denard Span makes the outfield even more formidable on both sides of the ball, and you're in a good place when complementary pieces in the lineup are players like Adam LaRoche (.255/.327/.462 with high-quality defense at first the last three years) and second baseman Danny Espinosa (.166 Isolated Power, 37 steals at a 75 percent clip the last two years). This is a scary, multi-dimensional roster, overflowing with talent.

The bullpen, however, was a bit top-heavy after the departures of Sean Burnett, who posted a 167 ERA+ in 70 games last year, and Tom Gorzelanny, who posted 138 over 72 frames. Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard are both viable closer candidates, but they are the far and away the best parts of the bullpen. That's not to take away from Craig Stammen, who was dominant in 2012, or Ryan Mattheus, who has succeeded in his limited major league duty. Storen and Clippard have the track records and the most talent, though, and they're the central pieces. The Nationals bullpen might have been fine as it was because of the presence of this group, but if an injury were to strike -- as it did with Storen in 2012, limiting him to roughly 30 innings -- there could have been problems.

When pitchers are hurt, it generally means important innings are given to less-qualified candidates who move down the line to fill the holes created by the vacancy. Take the 2012 Red Sox bullpen: They began the year with Andrew Bailey, Mark Melancon, and Alfredo Aceves -- a dominating closer, a former closer in a setup role, and Aceves, who threw well over 90 innings of fantastic relief one year before. It had the makings of a quality bullpen for a team expected to compete, but Bailey hurt himself prior to the season's start, Aceves floundered in the closer's role in his stead, and Melancon ended up spending half of his season in Triple-A trying to correct a mechanical error. To make matters worse, former elite reliever Daniel Bard couldn't return successfully to that role after a failed trial at starting, and what was a strength in March turned into a weakness in a matter of weeks, helping to set the tone for the rest of Boston's season.

The foregoing was an extreme example, but it's not difficult to imagine a scenario where something similar might have befallen the Nationals, at least pre-Soriano. Storen isn't that far removed from surgery, and while he was good when he did pitch last season, his strikeouts were a bit down, and he's only survived a full season's workload in the majors once. Further, he hasn't yet established himself as a legitimate relief ace: he just hasn't been around long enough to do so. Similarly, Clippard struggled with the long ball in the second half of 2012, and while his strikeout-to-walk numbers didn't suffer, it's entirely possible there's some kind of command issue here. While it could be solved before Opening Day, if it isn't already fixed, it could also be the beginning of the end of Clippard as a dominant relief arm capable of throwing around 90 innings per year. He certainly wouldn't be the first to go this route, nor the last. Remember, relievers of Soriano's type are a rarity, so some cynicism is allowed with the unproven.

Throw in Mattheus, who gets ground balls often in place of strikeouts (but not that many grounders) suddenly seeing more balls go through the infield, or Stammen unable to take on the burden of high-leverage innings in place of more qualified arms, and you can see where things could unravel fast. Again, expecting this all to happen borders on paranoia, but as the Red Sox found out a year ago, these things do happen. As a wise man who didn't live to see Washington D.C. become the nation's capital is attributed as saying, "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail."

Having Soriano on board means more depth and more elite arms. Should Storen prove healthy, and Clippard's second-half reveal itself as a momentary fluctuation rather than the start of something nasty, then the Nationals will have a trio of relief arms to bring them from the seventh to the game's conclusion, following the work of their excellent rotation. If Ross Detwiler has a rough second go of things in the rotation, or Dan Haren proves that his velocity and former self are indeed relics of the past, then the Nationals will be thrilled that they have a bullpen capable of handling the extra workload those inconveniences create. If everything goes to plan, though, and the depth doesn't have to be tested, all that will mean is that the Nationals are an intimidating force of baseball nature, from top to bottom.

Soriano cost the Nationals money and a draft pick, but for a win-now club, one in a division that could be hotly contested, those are just a part of belonging contextually. It's a credit to the front office for using their available resources in a way that improves the club in the one place where they still needed it, and even if these worst fears are never realized, the Nats are the better for it.

' Marc Normandin is one of SBN's Designated Columnists and one of the managers of Over the Monster. Follow him at @Marc_Normandin and the Designated Columnists at @SBNMLBDCers.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Washington Nationals' Corey Brown Big Season At Triple-A; Place On Nats' Depth Chart

The depth in the Washington Nationals' outfield and the return of Drew Storen from the DL led to Rick Ankiel being designated for assignment this past July. As Nats' skipper Davey Johnson explained it, there were outfield options in the organization, but not in the pen, so the team made the tough decision to DFA the well-respected veteran.

"With the maturation process of some of the young players," Johnson explained, "[Bryce] Harper in particular, playing every day, [Michael] Morse coming back, [Steve Lombardozzi] doing a good job leading off and [Jayson] Werth... looks pretty good to me, he's getting close... it felt like... and I've got a left-handed bat down in Triple-A that can do some of things that Rick [can]... maybe not as good a defender, but maybe a better hitter in Corey Brown. But to have to replace a guy in my bullpen with some people I've got down there. No, I don't have it. So, it was a tough choice, but it was the right choice."

While young players like Lombardozzi, Tyler Moore and Harper saw significant time in the majors this past season, the 26-year-old Brown (who turned 27 in November) was up-and-down but mostly down with the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate. The former Oakland A's 1st Round pick ('07) acquired along with RHP Henry Rodriguez in the December 2010 trade that sent Josh Willingham to the Athletics, had three stints with the NL East champs, but just 27 plate appearances on the year in which he had a .200/.231/.400 line with two doubles and a home run in 19 games.

In his second full season at Triple-A, after an 18 double, 14 home run 2011 season in which he had a .235/.326/.402 line with the Syracuse Chiefs, made his MLB debut and had season-ending surgery to remove an infection from his knee, Brown put up a .285/.365/.523 line with 22 doubles, nine triples and 25 HR's in his sixth minor league season in 2012.

When Brown was called up to D.C. in September, the Nats' press release summed up just how good a year the outfielder had. Brown, "... ranked among this season's International League leaders in most offensive categories," the Nationals noted, "... with 83 runs (first), nine triples (second), 25 home runs (second), .523 slugging percentage (second), 253 total bases (second), 56 extra-base hits (fourth), 138 hits (tied for fifth), .365 on-base percentage (sixth), 71 RBI (tied for sixth) and 59 walks (ninth)."

Brown's first major league hit was his first major league home run in July against the Brewers, he hit a walk-off single to beat the Marlins in early September and finished the year in the nation's capital, but he was left off the postseason roster. Brown impressed last Spring, hitting a double and a home run while putting up a .310/.355/.448 line and playing strong defense over 13 games and 29 ABs, but he didn't make the Opening Day roster and even an equally impressive start this season won't allow him to avoid another April in upstate New York. It would take a series of injuries or several players struggling to see any way the outfielder ends up in D.C.

Can Brown work his way into the mix in the nation's capital? Is he going to officially be labeled AAAA? Should he be labeled "Most Likely To Be Traded" if the Nats need to make a move?

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Wire Taps: Washington Nationals' Kurt Suzuki, Gio Gonzalez And Denard Span On Airwaves In Nation's Capital

Over the last month-plus of the 2012 campaign, Washington Nationals' catcher Kurt Suzuki put up a .301/.355/.482 line for the Nats, and in the first postseason run of the 29-year-old, six-year veteran's career, the former Oakland A's catcher was 4 for 17 with 2 RBIs in the NLDS with St. Louis. Suzuki was behind the plate for the entirety of the Nationals' Game 5 collapse, singling in the bottom of the eighth to make it 7-5 before the Cardinals came back in the top of the ninth. The Nats' catcher, who's likely to start the year as the no.1 backstop with Wilson Ramos working his way back from knee surgery, told 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier that he was looking forward to getting back on the field and forgetting the feeling of losing Game 5:

"It's definitely a tough feeling," Suzuki said, "Any time you watch a little bit of highlights of baseball, you turn on the MLB [Network] or something and you just kind of watch some of the games, watch some highlights of some games, watch transactions and stuff, that you think about what happened in Game 5. And that still has a fire burning under me and that's not something that I want to remember. I think it just makes you that much more motivated. That was kind of the motivation going into this offseason. Use that as experience and get that fire under you still. It's still burning. It's still ready to go and I want to go out there and the quicker you get on the field, the better it will be so I can't wait to get out there."

' Listen to Kurt Suzuki talk about Dan Haren and more with 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier HERE.

21-game winning left-hander Gio Gonzalez started Game 5 of the NLDS with the Cardinals, and gave up five hits, four walks and three runs in 5.0 IP over which he threw 99 pitches, leaving the game with a 6-3 lead after giving up two runs in the fifth, one on a bases-loaded wild pitch and the other on a bases-loaded, two-out walk. Asked this afternoon in an interview with ESPN980's Thom Loverro and Kevin Sheehan to look back on the last night of the season, Gonzalez gave an honest appraisal of his efforts that night and what he thought he could have changed:

"As a starting pitcher you always want to go the distance," Gonzalez said, "I felt like I didn't give it all, you know what I mean? I felt like there was some more that I needed to work on and stuff like that and I wish that I could have done more to help out. I think that going five innings was not enough for the team. Especially as a starter, you want to go out there and give your team the best opportunity to go out there and continue to battle. There's a bunch of things that I wish I could take back. There's the walks, and trying to attack the hitters. There's certain things that you learn from life and that's exactly what it was. It was a lesson in life that I learned."

' Listen to Gio Gonzalez talk to ESPN980's Thom Loverro and Kevin Sheehan about Game 5 of the NLDS, his first year in D.C. and the way the team is going to react in 2013 HERE.

One of the new additions to the Nationals' lineup is center fielder and leadoff man Denard Span, who brings a .284/.357/.389 career line with him to the nation's capital after five seasons in Minnesota. In his final season with the Twins, the 28-year-old outfielder had a .283/.342/.395 line with 38 doubles and four home runs in 128 games and 568 plate appearances over which he was worth +3.9 fWAR. Span spoke to 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s Chad Dukes and LaVar Arrington this afternoon about joining the defending NL East champions Nationals in the nation's capital in 2013, what he thinks he brings and where he was told he'll be hitting in the Nats' lineup:

"I'm pretty sure once I get down to Spring Training I'll hear more about what the team really needs me to do. As far as I've heard, I'm going to playing center field and leading off and those are two things that I've done now for quite some time and leading off, that's something that I take pride in. Getting the game started the right way. Setting the tone. Trying to get on base and set the table for the guys coming behind me. So, that's something that, like I said, that I know how to do."

' Listen to new Nats' outfielder Denard Span talk to Chad Dukes and LaVar Arrington on 106.7 the FAN in D.C. HERE (audio not yet posted, but it will be HERE when it is.)