There wasn't a whole lot of news on the Washington Nationals out there on Wednesday, but there were a few interesting stories. The Nats and Rays have reportedly talked about Jose Lobaton. MLB is reportedly sending "undisclosed amounts" to D.C. Links to follow...
The big story of the day in NatsTown on Wednesday was probably Jonah Keri's story on the Baltimore Orioles which included some interesting details on the ongoing tv rights fees dispute between the Washington Nationals and their neighbors to the north. On Wednesday night, Tampa Bay Times' writer Marc Topkin reported that talks about Rays' catcher Jose Lobaton were heating up and nationals.com's Bill Ladson wrote that the Nationals and Rays have been talking about a possible deal for a month now without agreeing on what Tampa Bay would receive in return for the 29-year-old switch-hitting catcher. The Nationals also signed veteran backstop Koyie Hill yesterday. Catch up on all the news below. Links and lots of them, starting right now...
• THE BIG STORY!!!:
• "According to a source close to the Washington franchise, MLB has sent the team an undisclosed sum every year to help bridge the gap, and to prevent the Lerners from taking matters to court, until the deal becomes more balanced." - "For the Birds" - Jonah Keri, Grantland
• NATS BEAT:
• "MLB.com has learned that the Nationals are interested in Tampa Bay Rays catcher Jose Lobaton, and the two clubs have been talking for a least a month." - "The Nationals have talked to Tampa Bay about catcher Jose Lobaton" - nationals.com: News
#Nationals interested in Rays' Lobaton http://t.co/ZAXoOD80on #nats #MLB
— William Ladson (@washingnats) February 6, 2014
• "A career .206 hitter, Hill had his best big league season in 2009, when he posted a .636 OPS in 83 games with the Cubs. He's viewed as a solid defensive backstop." - "Nationals Pastime: Nats sign catcher Koyie Hill to minor league deal" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "General Manager Mike Rizzo is at the point in the offseason where he is searching for undervalued players that can be acquired at a bargain." - "Nationals sign catcher Koyie Hill to minor league deal" - James Wagner, Washington Post
The #Nats have agreed to terms with catcher Koyie Hill on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 5, 2014
• "Adding yet another catching option as a backup to Wilson Ramos, the Nationals have signed Koyie Hill to a minor-league contract..." - "Washington Nationals sign catcher Koyie Hill to minor-league contract" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider
#Nationals' Reliever Craig Stammen Talks Slow Start In 2013 And More #Nats http://t.co/3lz5pDWCHf
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) February 5, 2014
• "The Nationals added another veteran to their backup catcher competition on Wednesday, signing Koyie Hill to a Minor League contract..." - "Washington Nationals add Koyie Hill to backup catcher competition" - Andrew Simon, nationals.com: News
• "Who will be here for the long term besides Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth and Gio Gonzalez?" - "As players get pricier, time for Nationals to cash in" - Mike Harris, Washington Times
• "In his time with the Nats, Clippard has seen the team undergo a dramatic change." - "VIDEO: Clippard believes Nats bullpen among best in baseball" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider
• "Stephen Strasburg. Jordan Zimmermann. Sammy Solis. Lucas Giolito. Taylor Jordan. The list goes on and on of Nationals pitchers that have undergone Tommy John surgery and returned." - "Nationals' philosophy regarding Tommy John surgery recovery appears to be successful strategy" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
In our final installment of #MeetMatt, Mgr Matt Williams talks successful teams he played on & similarities to #Nats: http://t.co/YAVxbQ4v6t
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 5, 2014
• "Moore, 27, who the Nationals still view as a potential first baseman of their future, knows that he enters spring training with much to prove." - "Tyler Moore hopes to improve to make the Nationals" - James Wagner, Washington Post
• "It’s hard to imagine Stammen being much better than the last two years, but the Nationals would love to see him put slightly fewer men on base..." - "Washington Nationals 2014 Roster Preview: Craig Stammen" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider
• "The Nationals missed out on a chance to potentially upgrade their bench yesterday when corner infielder Jeff Baker signed a reported two-year, $3.7 million deal with the Marlins..." - "Nationals Pastime: A quick check on what's left on the market" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
• "The Nationals had a down season in 2013, and Bryce Harper's first-round status is one question fantasy players should be examining." - "Burning Fantasy Baseball Questions: Washington Nationals" - Tim Heaney, KFFL
• "Teams with reported interest in Lobaton, or a need, include the D-backs, Indians, Rockies, White Sox, Mets and Nationals." - "Interest in Lobaton picking up" - Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times
Heard talks w/#Rays on Lobaton picking up. Teams w/interest or need include #Dbacks, #Indians, #Rockies, #WhiteSox, #Mets, #Nats.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 5, 2014
• NATSTOWN/MINORS:
• "The Hagerstown Suns want to extend their lease with the Maryland city for the 2015 and 2016 seasons even though the minor league baseball team plans to be playing in Fredericksburg by then." - "Hagerstown Suns seek extension of Maryland lease" - Bill Freehling, The News Desk
• "This season, as mentioned here last week, the Nats are having seven bobblehead giveaways, featuring a total of 175,000 bobbleheads." - "Why the Nats are giving away 175,000 bobbleheads" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog
• "Some people still like the gamble on Moore. Maybe you like his AAA stats the last couple years that suggest a very good player." - "Tyler Moore, Jeff Baker, and Livan Hernandez?" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• "Get to Know a Nat 2014: Danny Espinosa" - Court Swift, Nationals 101
• "A look at the Nats 2014 schedule" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arm Race
• Nats players as TMNT? Guess who's Splinter? - "2014 Season Preview: The Bullpen" - spaceNat
• NL EAST LINKS:
• Phillies: "Shortly after accepting a job to remain in the organization, Charlie Manuel will further cement his place in Phillies history with a plaque on the Wall of Fame..." - "Manuel earns spot on Phillies Wall of Fame" - courierpostonline.com
• Mets: "The broken bat that Roger Clemens infamously threw at Mike Piazza during the 2000 World Series is up for auction." - "Bat thrown by Roger Clemens at Mike Piazza on auction block" - Jim Baumbach, Newsday
• Marlins: "Stanton will make $6.5 million this season, and he will become eligible for free agency after the 2016 season." - "Marlins Inbox: What's preventing a contract extension for Giancarlo Stanton?" - Joe Frisaro, marlins.com: News
#Marlins RHP Jose Fernandez returns to Alonso High and has jersey No. 16 retired. "This is home." pic.twitter.com/9RNaN6Y23H
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) February 6, 2014
• Braves: "Freeman’s getting $135 million, but he’s not actually getting paid like an amazing player." - "Freddie Freeman’s Power Alternative" - Jeff Sullivan, FanGraphs Baseball
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