SPRINGFIELD — The bat sat on the table in the ballroom where Potomac Nationals booster club members and fans gathered for Sunday’s annual Hot Stove banquet.

It was one of several items up for bid during the banquet’s Silent Auction.

But it was not just any bat. It was autographed by Bryce Harper. And at least seven bids were put down for it.

When the bidding was over, the bat’s cost reached $400.

This is how serious people are taking Harper’s ascension through the minor leagues.

The 18 year-old outfielder, the top choice in the 2010 draft, may don a Potomac Nationals uniform in 2011.

If Harper performs well in spring training, the possibility remains he could start the season at Potomac. The Nationals open their season Fri. April 8 against Lynchburg. Harper is not expected to start any lower than Hagerstown.

“He’ll likely start in [Low-A] Hagerstown,” Washington director of player development Doug Harris said. “Nothing is in stone at this point. That’s a likely starting point.”

Harris refused to speculate on whether Harper comes to Potomac or on his expected date to reach the major leagues.

But if Harper masters Low-A pitching as he did during Washington’s instructional league and in the Arizona Fall League, Washington’s front office members would not be afraid to have him learn the game at a higher level.

Harper hit .319 during instructional league and impressed Potomac’s 2011 manager Matt LeCroy with what he brought to the table.

MLB Network recently ranked Harper third on its list of top 50 prospects behind Mike Trout of the Angels and Jeremy Hellickson of the Rays. Baseball America ranks Harper as the Washington Nationals’ No.1 prospect in their organization.

Harper is also on the cover of the 2011 Baseball America prospect handbook and made the cover of Sports Illustrated in June 2009.

He is also on the Washington Nationals’ 40-man roster and will report with the Nationals when they begin spring training workouts in mid-February in Viera, Fla. He can expect to face major league pitching during time in big league camp.

“I was the manager in instructional league,” LeCroy said. “So I had him for about 16 or 17 games. He’s a special talent. He brings that energy every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s six in the morning or six at night. He’s got a love for the game, a passion for the game.

“He’s a special talent. He can hit. He can throw. He can run. Seeing what he did in the Fall League, I was pretty impressed how he handled himself and how he went about his business.

“I think they have a keeper there in Bryce.”

Harper also turned in an impressive fall league performance by hitting .343 with a home run, seven RBI and a 1.039 on-base plus slugging percentage for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

He spent the AFL season as a taxi squad player, meaning he could only play twice a week.

Still, he became a student of the game by studying the approach of opposing players while playing for former Potomac manager Randy Knorr.

“Randy’s a tremendous instructor for us,” Harris said. “He was in Randy’s hip pocket and he watched the game and applied what he saw. He’s a special talent.”

Harris watched Harper play in the Arizona Fall League. He noticed Harper’s ability to make adjustments from pitch to pitch and at-bat to at-bat.

Harper also showed other signs of potential.

“He can defend, he can throw, he can run,” Harris said. “He’s got a chance to hit and he’s got a widely recognized bat. The thing I was most impressed with was the intensity in which he prepares and plays the game. Not every guy has that.”

Potomac general manger Josh Olerud said promotions are lined up to mark Harper’s arrival should he be sent to Potomac.

Olerud said between five or 10 phone calls and 15 or 20 emails have come in from fans inquiring about Harper playing for Potomac.

Team officials also might set up an autograph session between Harper and the fans at a location outside Pfitzner Stadium.

“We want to give our fans a chance to see him and not make his day-to-day work anything out of the ordinary,” Olerud said. “He’ll be signing autographs and people are going to want to take pictures with him. But we want to make sure it’s in a manner he’s comfortable with, that he’s not signing autographs from nine o’clock at night until one in the morning.

“We’re going to try to make that process as [simple] as we can.”

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The news of Tony Gwynn’s parotid cancer diagnosis last September shocked a lot of people. But at least one famous player is trying to turn that shock into a positive lifestyle change for himself.

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg(notes) played for Gwynn at San Diego State and he shares the same unhealthy addiction — chewing tobacco — that Gwynn believes caused his condition.

Strasburg began “dipping” smokeless tobacco during his days at West Hill High School in San Diego. Now, after hearing of Gwynn’s battle, he says he’s motivated to kick the habit that could potentially threaten his long-term health.

From the Washington Post: 

“I’m still in the process of quitting,” Strasburg said. “I’ve made a lot of strides, stopped being so compulsive with it. I’m hoping I’m going to be clean for spring training. It’s going to be hard, because it’s something that’s embedded in the game.”

One has to commend Strasburg for taking those difficult first steps towards putting this addiction behind him, and we wish him well as he continues the fight to preserve his health.

As he said, it won’t be easy.

The Washington Post article by Adam Kilgore documents Major League Baseball’s attempt to educate players on the effects of chewing tobacco, the league’s battle to outright ban its use on their fields, as well the side effects that make quitting the dangerous habit so challenging.

As with all addiction battles, it’s an uphill both ways on so many levels. That’s something Strasburg seems to understand, and may be why he’s not prepared to begin lecturing his peers.

“I’m not going to sit here and be the spokesperson for quitting dipping,” Strasburg said. “I’m doing it for myself. I’m not saying anything about anybody else — it’s their personal choice. For me, it’s the best decision.”

It definitely is the best decision for anyone.

And hey, if Strasburg’s decision inspires one of his colleagues to reevaluate his smokeless tobacco usage, or sheds enough light on the issue that parents and young aspiring ball players become better educated, he’s done more than anyone could have asked for.

Related: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

Free agent pitcher Justin Duchscherer(notes) had three possible new employers lined up that all wanted to give him one-year deals: the Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, and Baltimore Orioles. ESPN reports that the O’s got the deal done late last night and Duchscherer will be joining Baltimore if he can pass a physical.

The 33-year-old has only pitched 28 innings in the last two years. In 2010, his season with the Oakland Athletics came to an end when he had hip surgery on June 7. In 2008, though, the Duke of Hurl went 10-8 with a 2.54 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 141.2 innings pitched.

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Source: ESPN

Related: Justin Duchscherer, Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals

With less than a month before spring training, the Cleveland Indians’ Grady Sizemore(notes) or Fausto Carmona(notes) may need to change their travel plans. MASN reports that the Washington Nationals have had conversations with the Tribe front office about trading for Carmona or Sizemore.

Carmona, who went 13-14 last season with a 3.77 ERA, is under contract with the Indians till 2014. He’d be a nice addition to the Nationals’ rotation that also recently added Tom Gorzelanny(notes) through a trade with the Chicago Cubs.

Sizemore, who will make $7.5 million this season and has a $8.5 million club option for 2012, has had a couple of injury-filled seasons. He’s hoping to be healthy in 2011. Last year, he hit .211 with no homers and 13 RBIs in the 33 games he played. But the 28-year-old is also a three-time All-Star, the last time being in 2008. That year, he also won a Silver Slugger Award and a Gold Glove. He hit 33 homers that year along with 90 RBIs and 38 stolen bases.

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Source: MASN

Related: Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Washington Nationals

It’s less than a month before Spring Training gets underway and the Cleveland Indians’ Grady Sizemore(notes) or Fausto Carmona(notes) may need to change their travel plans. MASN reports that the Washington Nationals have had “conversations with the Tribe front office about trading for Carmona or Sizemore.

Carmona, who went 13-14 last season with a 3.77 ERA, is under team control till 2014. He’d be a nice addition to the Nationals’ rotation that also recently added Tom Gorzelanny(notes) through a trade with the Chciago Cubs.

Sizemore, who will make $7.5 million this season and has a $8.5 million club option for 2012, has had a couple of injury-filled seasons that whoever the center fielder plays for in 2011 would be hoping he’d left behind. Last year, he hit .211 with no homers and 13 RBIs in the 33 games he appeared in. But the 28-year-old is also a three-time All-Star. The last time he made that team was in 2008 when he also took home a Silver Slugger Award and a Gold Glove. He hit 33 dingers that year and had 90 RBI along with 38 stolen bases.

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Source: MASN

Related: Cleveland Indians, Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals have talked to the Indians about trading for outfielder Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona, according to a report from MASN’s Phil Wood.  He is reporting the Indians could be ready to dump salary for the 2011 season.  Sizemore is scheduled to make $7.1 million in 2011, while Carmona will make $6.1 million.

Sizemore, who missed most of 2010 because of knee surgery, will be a free agent in 2012.  Carmona is signed through 2014.

WASHINGTON — Right-handed reliever Todd Coffey agreed to a $1.35 million, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Monday.

The 30-year-old Coffey went 2-4 with a 4.76 ERA in 69 appearances with Milwaukee in 2010. In six major league seasons, he is 19-17 with 11 saves and a 4.15 ERA in 369 games, all in relief, with the Brewers and Reds.

He is the latest addition to a Nationals bullpen that general manager Mike Rizzo began rebuilding last season.

Coffey’s contract includes a chance to earn up to $275,000 in performance bonuses: $75,000 each for 60 and 65 relief appearances, plus $125,000 for 75 relief appearances.

He pitched in 69 games last season, and 78 in 2009; his career high was 81 appearances in 2006 with Cincinnati.

Also Monday, the Nationals designated right-handed starter Shairon Martis for assignment. They needed to make room on their 40-man roster for utility player Jerry Hairston Jr., who agreed to a $2 million, one-year deal last week.

Martis went 6-6 with a 5.33 ERA in 20 games — 19 starts — for Washington in 2008 and 2009, then spent 2010 at Triple-A Syracuse, going 8-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 27 starts.

Todd Coffey went 2-4 with a 4.76 ERA in 69 appearances with Milwaukee in 2010. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Right-handed reliever Todd Coffey agreed to a $1.35-million US, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Monday.

The 30-year-old Coffey went 2-4 with a 4.76 ERA in 69 appearances with Milwaukee in 2010. In six major league seasons, he is 19-17 with 11 saves and a 4.15 ERA in 369 games, all in relief, with the Brewers and Reds.

He is the latest addition to a Nationals bullpen that general manager Mike Rizzo began rebuilding last season.

Coffey’s contract includes a chance to earn up to $275,000 in performance bonuses: $75,000 each for 60 and 65 relief appearances, plus $125,000 for 75 relief appearances.

He pitched in 69 games last season, and 78 in 2009; his career high was 81 appearances in 2006 with Cincinnati.

Also Monday, the Nationals designated right-handed starter Shairon Martis for assignment. They needed to make room on their 40-man roster for utility player Jerry Hairston Jr., who agreed to a $2 million, one-year deal last week.

Martis went 6-6 with a 5.33 ERA in 20 games — 19 starts — for Washington in 2008 and 2009, then spent 2010 at Triple-A Syracuse, going 8-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 27 starts.

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms of a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Todd Coffey on Monday.

Washington, DC (Sports Network) – The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms of a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Todd Coffey on Monday.

Coffey will come out of the bullpen for Washington, joining Drew Storen and Henry Rodriguez in a possible three-way battle for the teams closer position.

The 30-year-old Coffey had an off season in 2010, finishing with a 4.76 earned-run average in 62.1 innings of relief with the Brewers, down from a career-low 2.90 ERA in 2009.

In over 2 1/2 seasons with the Brewers, Coffey posted a 3.52 ERA while allowing 16 home runs in 153.1 innings, spanning 156 games.

Through his six-year MLB career, Coffey has a 19-17 record with 265 strikeouts in 359.2 innings pitched with the Reds and Brewers.

© 2011 The Sports Network

WASHINGTON (AP)—Right-handed reliever Todd Coffey(notes) agreed to a $1.35 million, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Monday.

The 30-year-old Coffey went 2-4 with a 4.76 ERA in 69 appearances with Milwaukee in 2010. In six major league seasons, he is 19-17 with 11 saves and a 4.15 ERA in 369 games, all in relief, with the Brewers and Reds.

He is the latest addition to a Nationals bullpen that general manager Mike Rizzo began rebuilding last season.

Coffey’s contract includes a chance to earn up to $275,000 in performance bonuses: $75,000 each for 60 and 65 relief appearances, plus $125,000 for 75 relief appearances.

He pitched in 69 games last season, and 78 in 2009; his career high was 81 appearances in 2006 with Cincinnati.

Also Monday, the Nationals designated right-handed starter Shairon Martis(notes) for assignment. They needed to make room on their 40-man roster for utility player Jerry Hairston Jr.(notes), who agreed to a $2 million, one-year deal last week.

Martis went 6-6 with a 5.33 ERA in 20 games—19 starts—for Washington in 2008 and 2009, then spent 2010 at Triple-A Syracuse, going 8-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 27 starts.

WASHINGTON — Right-handed reliever Todd Coffey agreed to a $1.35 million, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Monday.

The 30-year-old Coffey went 2-4 with a 4.76 ERA in 69 appearances with Milwaukee in 2010. In six major league seasons, he is 19-17 with 11 saves and a 4.15 ERA in 369 games, all in relief, with the Brewers and Reds.

He is the latest addition to a Nationals bullpen that general manager Mike Rizzo began rebuilding last season.

Coffey’s contract includes a chance to earn up to $275,000 in performance bonuses: $75,000 each for 60 and 65 relief appearances, plus $125,000 for 75 relief appearances.

He pitched in 69 games last season, and 78 in 2009; his career high was 81 appearances in 2006 with Cincinnati.

Also Monday, the Nationals designated right-handed starter Shairon Martis for assignment. They needed to make room on their 40-man roster for utility player Jerry Hairston Jr., who agreed to a $2 million, one-year deal last week.

Martis went 6-6 with a 5.33 ERA in 20 games — 19 starts — for Washington in 2008 and 2009, then spent 2010 at Triple-A Syracuse, going 8-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 27 starts.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

WASHINGTON | Right-hander Shairon Martis has been designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals, who needed to make room on their 40-man roster for utility player Jerry Hairston Jr.

Hairston agreed to a $2 million, one-year deal with the Nationals last week, but the contract was not approved by Major League Baseball until Monday, making a roster move necessary.

Martis went 6-6 with a 5.33 ERA in 20 appearances, 19 as a starter, for the Nationals in 2008 and 2009, but he did not make the major league club in spring training last season. He spent 2010 at Triple-A Syracuse, going 8-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 27 starts.

 

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Right-hander Shairon Martis has been designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals, who needed to make room on their 40-man roster for utility player Jerry Hairston Jr.

Hairston agreed to a $2 million, one-year deal with the Nationals last week, but the contract was not approved by Major League Baseball until Monday, making a roster move necessary.

Martis went 6-6 with a 5.33 ERA in 20 appearances, 19 as a starter, for the Nationals in 2008 and 2009, but he did not make the major league club in spring training last season. He spent 2010 at Triple-A Syracuse, going 8-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 27 starts.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Adding a starting pitcher at last this offseason, the Washington Nationals finalized their trade to acquire left-hander Tom Gorzelanny from the Chicago Cubs for three minor league prospects yesterday.

Washington also agreed to a $2 million, one-year contract with utility player Jerry Hairston Jr., and unconditionally released pitcher J.D. Martin, who had lower-back surgery in August. Martin’s move cleared space on the 40-man roster for first baseman Adam LaRoche, a free-agent whose contract recently was approved by Major League Baseball.

General manager Mike Rizzo hoped to land a top-of-the-rotation starter for the 2011 season, but that hasn’t happened. The 28-year-old Gorzelanny is 36-37 with a 4.68 ERA in six major league seasons with the Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates.

He went 7-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 23 starts and six relief appearances last year, and the Cubs dealt him after obtaining starter Matt Garza in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Rizzo said Nationals scouts saw Gorzelanny consistently throw at 92 mph and reach 94 mph in 2010.

Before the trade to the Nationals became official, Gorzelanny avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $2.1 million, one-year deal with the Cubs.

The Nationals sent outfielder Michael Burgess, right-hander A.J. Morris and left-hander Graham Hicks to Chicago.

“We think there’s still some upside to this guy, and we think he’s going to have a big rebound year,” Rizzo said. “We see him somewhere in the rotation. We’re going to have a good competition there this spring training, and we’re looking forward to it.”

With Stephen Strasburg expected to miss most – if not all – of 2011 after reconstructive elbow surgery, the Nationals are expected to have Livo Hernandez, Jordan Zimmermann and Gorzelanny in their rotation, along with perhaps Jason Marquis, Yunesky Maya or Ross Detwiler.

From Sun news services Baltimore Sun reporter

WASHINGTON – Adding a starting pitcher at last this offseason, the Washington Nationals finalized their trade to acquire left-hander Tom Gorzelanny from the Chicago Cubs for three minor league prospects on Wednesday.

Washington also agreed to a one-year contract with utility player Jerry Hairston Jr., and unconditionally released pitcher J.D. Martin, who had lower-back surgery in August. Martin’s move cleared space on the 40-man roster for first baseman Adam LaRoche, whose free-agent contract recently was approved by Major League Baseball.

General manager Mike Rizzo hoped to land a top-of-the-rotation starter for the 2011 season, but that hasn’t happened. The 28-year-old Gorzelanny is 36-37 with a 4.68 ERA in six major league seasons with the Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates.

He went 7-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 23 starts and six relief appearances last year, and the Cubs dealt him after obtaining starter Matt Garza in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Rizzo said Nationals scouts saw Gorzelanny consistently throw at 92 mph and reach 94 mph in 2010.

Before the trade to the Nationals became official, Gorzelanny avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $2.1 million, one-year deal with the Cubs.

The Nationals sent outfielder Michael Burgess, right-hander A.J. Morris and left-hander Graham Hicks to Chicago.

“We think there’s still some upside to this guy, and we think he’s going to have a big rebound year,” Rizzo said. “We see him somewhere in the rotation. We’re going to have a good competition there this spring training, and we’re looking forward to it.”

With Stephen Strasburg expected to miss most — if not all — of 2011 after reconstructive elbow surgery, the Nationals are expected to have Livo Hernandez, Jordan Zimmermann and Gorzelanny in their rotation, along with perhaps Jason Marquis, Yunesky Maya or Ross Detwiler.

Rizzo also noted that right-hander Chien-Ming Wang — who is trying to come back from shoulder surgery and hasn’t pitched since July 2009 — will be ready for the start of spring training. Pitchers and catchers are due to report to Viera, Fla., on Feb. 15.

“He’s not in rehabilitation mode right now; he’s in preparation mode to get ready for spring training,” Rizzo said.

The 34-year-old Hairston is a career .257 hitter with 59 homers and 341 RBIs across 13 seasons with six clubs.

He hit .244 with 10 homers and a career-high 50 RBIs for the San Diego Padres last season.

Rizzo said that Hairston, a member of the 2009 World Series champion New York Yankees, would be “very, very comfortable and very effective” playing any position in the field other than first base or catcher.

“He gives the manager a lot of options,” Rizzo said. “He’s a very versatile player. Very upbeat. High-energy guy. Good clubhouse presence. And a guy with a championship ring that knows how to win and knows how to be a good teammate.”

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. on a one-year contract.

Washington, DC (Sports Network) – The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. on a one-year contract.

Hairston hit .244 last season with San Diego, matching a career-high with 10 home runs and driving in 50 over 119 games as both an infielder and outfielder.

He has played every defensive position except for pitcher and catcher during his 13-year career.

The 34-year-old is a .257 career hitter with 59 long balls, 341 RBI and 143 stolen bases with the Orioles, Cubs, Rangers, Reds, Yankees and Padres. He was a member of the Yankees 2009 World Series champions.

© 2011 The Sports Network

WASHINGTON — Adding a starting pitcher at last this offseason, the Washington Nationals finalized their trade to acquire left-hander Tom Gorzelanny from the Chicago Cubs for three minor league prospects on Wednesday.

Washington also agreed to a one-year contract with utility player Jerry Hairston Jr., and unconditionally released pitcher J.D. Martin, who had lower-back surgery in August. Martin’s move cleared space on the 40-man roster for first baseman Adam LaRoche, whose free-agent contract recently was approved by Major League Baseball.

General manager Mike Rizzo hoped to land a top-of-the-rotation starter for the 2011 season, but that hasn’t happened. The 28-year-old Gorzelanny is 36-37 with a 4.68 ERA in six major league seasons with the Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates.

He went 7-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 23 starts and six relief appearances last year, and the Cubs dealt him after obtaining starter Matt Garza in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Rizzo said Nationals scouts saw Gorzelanny consistently throw at 92 mph and reach 94 mph in 2010.

Before the trade to the Nationals became official, Gorzelanny avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $2.1 million, one-year deal with the Cubs.

The Nationals sent outfielder Michael Burgess, right-hander A.J. Morris and left-hander Graham Hicks to Chicago.

“We think there’s still some upside to this guy, and we think he’s going to have a big rebound year,” Rizzo said. “We see him somewhere in the rotation. We’re going to have a good competition there this spring training, and we’re looking forward to it.”

With Stephen Strasburg expected to miss most — if not all — of 2011 after reconstructive elbow surgery, the Nationals are expected to have Livan Hernandez, Jordan Zimmermann and Gorzelanny in their rotation, along with perhaps Jason Marquis, Yunesky Maya or Ross Detwiler.

Rizzo also noted that right-hander Chien-Ming Wang — who is trying to come back from shoulder surgery and hasn’t pitched since July 2009 — will be ready for the start of spring training. Pitchers and catchers are due to report to Viera, Fla., on Feb. 15.

“He’s not in rehabilitation mode right now; he’s in preparation mode to get ready for spring training,” Rizzo said.

The 34-year-old Hairston is a career .257 hitter with 59 homers and 341 RBIs across 13 seasons with six clubs. His deal was for $2 million, according to a major league source.

He hit .244 with 10 homers and a career-high 50 RBIs for the San Diego Padres last season.

Rizzo said that Hairston, a member of the 2009 World Series champion New York Yankees, would be “very, very comfortable and very effective” playing any position in the field other than first base or catcher.

“He gives the manager a lot of options,” Rizzo said. “He’s a very versatile player. Very upbeat. High-energy guy. Good clubhouse presence. And a guy with a championship ring that knows how to win and knows how to be a good teammate.”

The Associated Press and ESPNChicago.com’s Bruce Levine contributed to this report.