• Sign 9 And 3 Invites: After announcing that they'd agreed on a minor league deal with 38-going-on-39-year-old outfielder Mike Cameron, the Washington Nationals announced this morning that they'd signed minor league deals with nine players including right-handers Jeff Fulchino and Waldis Joaquin, catcher Carlos Maldonado, infielders Andres Blanco, Jarrett Hoffpauir and Chad Tracy, and outfielders Brett Carroll, Jason Michaels and Xavier Paul. In addition, the Nats announced that they'd offered invitations to Spring Training for three players, right-hander Rafael Martin, catcher Sandy Leon and outfielder Corey Brown. No updates on the Nats/A's Gio Gonzalez chatter yet this morning. So who got Yu Darvish again? Will the Nats get the pitcher they're after? Any truth to those rumors? They've gone oddly unmentioned in NatsTown this morning...Here's what folks are writing about...RIGHT NOW!!!
• THE BIG STORY!!:
• "[Mike] Cameron gives the Nationals an accomplished, experienced center fielder, albeit one who will be 39 years old in January and struggled last season..." - "Nationals, Mike Cameron agree to terms on a minor league deal" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• NATS BEAT:
• "Either way, the Cameron signing seems to indicate the Nationals intend to plug their hole in center field with stop-gaps for now..." - "Nats sign Cameron to minor-league deal" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "Amidst a flurry of minor league moves Tuesday morning, the Nationals announced they were extending major league spring training invitations to three of their non-40-man players..." - "Nationals invite RHP Rafael Martin, C Sandy Leon and OF Corey Brown to major league spring training" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "[Jason] Michaels is the most experienced of the new additions. The 35-year-old has spent 11 seasons in the majors with the Phillies, Indians, Pirates and Astros as a reserve outfielder." - "Nats add Blanco, Michaels, Joaquin on minor league deals" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "How much would the Nationals have been willing to pay to win the rights to Darvish? We'll never know..." - "Determining a pitcher's value" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "Infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa said on Monday night that he is interested in playing for the Nationals, but he is not close to making a decision." - "Free-agent Mark DeRosa still interested in joining Washington Nationals" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "Cameron, 38, is one of just five active players with 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases." - "Nationals add Cameron for outfield depth" - Brian McNally, Washington Examiner
• "The Nationals announced the signings of nine players to minor-league contracts with invitations to spring training..." - "Nats sign 9 to minor-league deals" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "The Nationals have agreed to terms with nine players on minor league contracts with invitations to spring training in Viera, Fla." - "Nine agree to minor league deals with spring invites" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "If [Mike] Cameron, 38, makes the Nationals out of camp, he could be used in a platoon role with Roger Bernadina..." - "Nationals sign outfielder Cameron" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "[Adam] LaRoche will be the positive surprise of the season and the Nats will be glad they have a team option for '13." - "Ask Boswell about the Redskins, the Capitals and all Washington sports" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post
•"Former P-Nats coach Mark Harris goes to the Suns as their batting coach. Brian Daubach continues as manager in Hagerstown. Franklin Bravo is the pitching coach for the Suns." - "Beasley, LeCroy, Rupp and Daubach named Nats minor league managers" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "The Nationals formally announced their full minor-league coaching staffs for 2012 today..." - "Full minor-league staffs announced" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "It's doubtful the Nationals consider Cameron a solution to their center field hole, but if he returns to his career means, the veteran could be a nice complementary piece in the outfield." - "Nationals confirm minor league deal with veteran outfielder Mike Cameron" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "Manager Davey Johnson said that he is looking for power off the bench and Cameron, who will turn 39 on Jan. 8, could be one of his answers." - "Mike Cameron, Nationals come to terms on Minor League deal" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "Which eventually led to Bowden giving Riggleman a little speech about how to manage one’s career." - "Jim Riggleman intends to manage in the big leagues again" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "We need awareness of the ways we are connected with others, reflecting on the characteristics we share with others."
• NATS MINOR/WINTER LEAGUES:
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Caracas 5, Aragua 4 - Wilson Ramos (ARA) - 0 for 4; Henry Rodriguez (CAR) - 0.2 IP, BS, 1 H, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB; Josh Wilkie (CAR) - (W, 2-1) 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 K's - Box Score.
• Liga de Beisbol Dominicano: Gigantes 4, Licey 2 - Jhonatan Solano - 0 for 3, 1 K, 1 R - Box Score.
• NATSTOWN:
• "Just in case there's any truth to the strange rumors floating around the last few days of Prince Fielder sightings in Georgetown..." - "Prince Fielder can pitch, too" - Nats Enquirer
• "NATS/P-NATS: Potomac Nationals 2012 Coaching Staff Announced" - Cheryl Nichols, District Sports Page
• "If you try to build a team through only fair deals, you end up with only a fair team." - "No Aoki." - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• "There's Mike Cameron in the video above, dumping beer on a fan's head after the Brewers clinched the Wild Card in 2008." - "Mike Cameron is so old..." - Nats Enquirer
• "The Nats acquired Mike Cameron today, because who doesn’t need outfielders that are almost 40?" - "Nats Sign Mike Cameron" - The Nationals Review
• "How much better are the Nats than the Marlins really? Last year ended with the Nats 8.5 games better than the Marlins, 80 wins to 72." - "The Marlins problem" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• "I won't say more than to point out Gio's #3 comp thru age 25 is Ernie Broglio. Check your history book to find out how that worked out for the Cubs." - "Just stop please" - traderkirk, Bang! Zoom!
• "Ian Desmond - Age 26 - 2 years + 1 September MLB Service Time. How he became a Nat: Drafted by the (ahem) Montreal Expos in the 3rd round of the 2004 first year player draft." - "A Few Good Men: 44 - Desmond" - Sean, Capitol Baseball
• "It’s no secret the Nats have been in the market for a center fielder this winter, especially one that could hit lead-off, but they have been unable to crack that market as of yet." - "Nationals sign Mike Cameron to minor league contract" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page
• "…a cactus? A cactus. This truly, um, unique gift would make anyone love you (after they give it that quizzical dog head tilt for about a half hour)." - "On The Sixth Day Of Nats-mas My True Love Gave To Me…" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Braves: "The longest running off-season rumor between the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies that would primarily involve Martin Prado and Seth Smith is apparently still going strong." - "Braves - Rockies Trade Still A Possibility" - gondeee, Talking Chop
• Marlins: "Miami Marlins (formerly Florida Marlins) 2012 Top 15 Prospects & Discussion by the Bullpen Banter staff." - "Miami Marlins 2012 Top 15 Prospects" - BullpenBanter.com
• Phillies: "[Jimmy] Rollins officially took a major step in being a Phillie for life when the team announced his new three-year, $33 million contract." - "Phillies, Rollins officially announce re-signing" - Matt Gelb, Philadelphia Inquirer
• Mets: Discerning a fastball from a changeup is difficult enough; imagine doing it with untethered focus, attention meandering." - "The New Met Andres Torres Discusses His Struggles With A.D.H.D. "- Andrew Keh, NYTimes.com