There were two announcements from the Washington Nationals on Tuesday. The first was the official start date for Spring Training 2014. Pitchers and catchers will report on...:
Today, DC had its coldest morning since the #Nats came to town, so here's a warm thought: Pitchers & Catchers report 2/13-only 37 days away!
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 7, 2014
A little while later on Tuesday afternoon, the Nationals announced an addition to the front office at 1500 South Capitol St. SE:
The #Nats announce they've named Valerie J. Camillo as Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer today: http://t.co/TdaC5MWDlM
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 7, 2014
Camillo served as the VP of the NBA's Team Marketing and Business Operations before joining the Nationals' front office.
As for any news about the on-field product? Not much out there, but we scoured the internets to find what was out there. Links and lots of them, starting... RIGHT NOW!!!:
• THE BIG STORY!!!:
• "So, what kind of numbers might it take to keep Desmond and Zimmermann in D.C. for the long-term?" - "How big of a long-term contract does Ian Desmond deserve?" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider
Is Jordan Zimmermann worth Zack Greinke money (in extension form)? Zimmermann: 89 FIP- in 2013. Greinke: 90 FIP-
— Beyond the Box Score (@BtBScore) January 8, 2014
• NATS BEAT:
• "The Nationals announced on Tuesday that Valerie J. Camillo has been named chief revenue and marketing officer, responsible for all revenue-generating departments, including ticketing, marketing, special events and corporate partnerships." - "Nats name Valerie Camillo chief revenue and marketing officer" - nationals.com: News
• "The Nationals named Valerie J. Camillo, a former NBA marketing and business executive, the team’s new chief revenue and marketing officer on Tuesday." - "Nationals name Valerie J. Camillo chief revenue and marketing officer" - James Wagner, Washington Post
• "Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is hoping that Frank Thomas will be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame." - "Nationals GM Mike Rizzo expects Frank Thomas to receive Hall of Fame call" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "'I thought it was a great trade for the Nationals to get an impact starter like Doug Fister, a guy who has been a proven pitcher in any year,' Fitt said. 'He is established.'" - "Another look at the loss of Ray in trade for pitcher Doug Fister" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
We have new BP jerseys to unveil. Very proud of the craftsmanship and quality. Sneak peek of the @nationals': pic.twitter.com/VFK0QyMjOY
— Majestic Athletic (@MajesticOnField) January 7, 2014
• "Nationals pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Viera, Fl. on Feb. 13." - "Nats pitchers and catchers report date released" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider
• "Over his final eight appearances of the season, Cedeno allowed just two baserunners in 4 1/3 innings and kept five of the six baserunners he inherited from scoring." - "Nationals Pastime: Cedeno one intriguing reliever to watch in spring" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "O'Flaherty has been one of the most effective relievers in baseball but, even coming off major surgery, I would think he could get a multi-year deal." - "Ask Boswell: Redskins, Nationals and Washington sports" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post
• "With the start of spring training games now less than two months away, MASN has announced its Nationals spring training broadcast schedule." - "Nationals Pastime: MASN announces Nationals spring training broadcast schedule (with note)" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
• "Hey Look, It's Bart Bryce. And He's Doing Stuff!":
"It was in these very internet pages less than 24 hours ago that we told you Nationals wunderkind Bryce Harper wanted a UFC title belt because he's simply too cool for WWE." - "IMPORTANT UPDATE: Bryce Harper has his UFC title belt" - Mike Axisa, CBSSports.com
"@ufc: trains like a champ in the offseason. Look forward to seeing you hit a HR w/ the belt on, Bryce! @MLB pic.twitter.com/SYRn7LTFXf"
— Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) January 7, 2014
• "Williams' spot could be even more difficult than the one in Detroit because the Nationals still must prove last year's disappointment is the aberration, not the 2012 NL East championship." - "MLB 2014: The show will look a lot different" - Paul White, USA TODAY Sports
• NATSTOWN/NATS MINORS:
• "Also in Puerto Rico, right-handed reliever Tyler Herron had a strong showing for the Indios de Mayaguez. He has a 0.84 ERA in 21 1/3 innings with 21 strikeouts and 11 walks." - "Round-up of Nationals playing winter ball" - James Wagner, Washington Post
• "Billy Gardner Jr. has spent more than two decades coaching and managing in the minor leagues and has loved it all." - "Meet new Syracuse Chiefs Manager Billy Gardner Jr." - James Wagner, Washington Post
• "I want to talk some more about this Bryce Harper weight-gain nonsense, because really, the whole thing is getting a little out of hand." - "Bryce Harper weight gain ‘controversy’ continues" - Sarah Kogod, D.C. Sports Bog
• "Just Adam LaRoche with a mountain lion, no big deal." - NatsEnquirer
Just a photo of Adam LaRoche with a mountain lion, no big deal. #Nats (via @buck_commander) http://t.co/6saTlGoCOa
— Nats Enquirer (@NatsEnquirer) January 8, 2014
• "The Nationals re-signed right-hander Ryan Tatusko to a Minor League deal on Monday." - "Nationals re-sign pitcher RyanTatusko to Minor League deal" - nationals.com: News
• "Majestic Athletics tweeted a sneak peek of this year’s Nats batting practice uniforms." - "Nats batting practice jerseys sneak peek (Updated)" - Sarah Kogod, Washington Post
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Braves: "Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Kris Medlen are set to become free agents following the 2015 season..." - "The Braves’ Good Problem" - Paul Swydan, FanGraphs Baseball
• Phillies: "The Phillies have been quiet on the roster front the past few weeks, although they made big news last week when they signed a 25-year contract with Comcast SportsNet worth a reported $2.5 billion." - "Phillies looking ahead toward spring" - Todd Zolecki, phillies.com: News
Happy 70th birthday to Charlie Manuel! And a big congrats on the recent birth of your 1st granddaughter! pic.twitter.com/JMCuTxjXJn
— Phillies (@Phillies) January 4, 2014
• Mets: "For the moment, though, it’s Ike Davis and the Mets backup catcher situation. I know, I know. But Brewers GM Doug Melvin did offer interesting comments to MLB.com on the Davis trade talks." - "Chance for NY Mets to avoid a mistake with Ike Davis" - Andy Martino, New York Daily News
• Marlins: "For finishing 62-100 last season, the Marlins earned themselves the second overall selection at the First-Year Player Draft in June." - "Marlins Inbox: Has Jose Fernandez set the stage for Tyler Kolek?" - Joe Frisaro, marlins.com: News