Juan Soto

FILE - In this screen grab taken from video, Major League baseball player Francisco Lindor answers questions during a virtual press conference introducing him as the New York Mets new shortstop, in this Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, file photo. Lindor is among roughly 125 players who entered Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, eligible to exchange salary arbitration figures with their teams. (New York Mets via AP, File)

Lindor, Bryant, Bellinger, Seager get big-money deals

Jan. 16, 2021 2:05 AM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Lindor, Kris Bryant, Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager were among 112 players who agreed to one-year contracts Friday, leaving just 13 to swap salary arbitration figures during a slow offseason in the aftermath of the financial carnage caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The deals...

Juan Soto, Trea Turner, Soto, Josh Bell, Nats agree for 2021

Jan. 15, 2021 11:55 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — NL batting champion Juan Soto, shortstop Trea Turner and first baseman Josh Bell agreed to 2021 contracts for substantial raises with the Washington Nationals on Friday, leaving the team with no players headed to arbitration. Soto's one year-deal is worth $8.5 million, Turner's is for $13...

FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2019, file photo, Chicago Cubs' Kyle Schwarber (12) bats during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Chicago. Schwarber agreed in principle to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Washington Nationals, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, because a physical exam was still pending for Schwarber. (AP Photo/Matt Marton, File)

Schwarber signs $10M deal with Nats, reunites with Martinez

Jan. 9, 2021 6:28 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Now that they're both with the Washington Nationals, Kyle Schwarber recalls joking around with Dave Martinez when both were with the Chicago Cubs — Schwarber a slugger, Martinez a bench coach. “He goes, ‘Whenever I get a manager’s job, you are going to come...

FILE - In this July 22, 2020, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates' Josh Bell bats during an exhibition baseball game against the Cleveland Indians in Pittsburgh. The Pirates traded the slugging first baseman to Washington on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, for pitching prospects Will Crowe and Eddy Yean. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Pirates trade slugger Josh Bell to Nationals

Dec. 24, 2020 4:23 PM EST

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Bell embraced everything about being a Pittsburgh Pirate. He understood as the club retooled following the departure of stars Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole that he would serve as the de facto face of the franchise. It's a responsibility Bell ran toward. He became heavily involved...

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez, left, talks with general manager Mike Rizzo during spring training baseball practice in West Palm Beach, Fla. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says his top offseason priority is adding a middle-of-the-order hitter. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Nats GM Rizzo: No 'serious conversation' about Kris Bryant

Dec. 15, 2020 3:58 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo’s top offseason priority is adding a middle-of-the-order hitter, likely a corner outfielder or first baseman — and by the sound of things, he won’t do that by trading for a certain past NL MVP currently with the Chicago Cubs. Rizzo...

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman watches his two-run home run during the fourth inning in Game 2 of the baseball team's NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Arlington, Texas. Freeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday, Nov. 12, topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed “please don’t take me.” (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Freeman among trio of Braves on All-MLB first team

Dec. 10, 2020 12:31 AM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — National League MVP Freddie Freeman was one of three Atlanta Braves selected to the All-MLB first team on Wednesday night. The slugging first baseman was joined by Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna and starting pitcher Max Fried. Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was chosen for...