Wire Taps: Washington Nationals/Wally Backman Rumors, Nyjer Morgan vs Jayson Werth.

• Wally Backman To The Nats? Nats So Fast...So the Wally Backman to the Nationals rumors started with a report out of the New York Post and an article by Mike Puma entitled, "Backman could leave Mets for Nationals", in which the NYPost writer cited a "team source" who said, "The fiery Backman, 52, is considering the possibility of joining Davey Johnson's coaching staff with the Nationals -- likely as the third-base coach." Citing the New York Post's report, ESPNNewYork's Adam Rubin too wrote, in an article entitled, "Backman may bolt for Nats", that, "With the Mets set to interview former Nationals manager Jim Riggleman for the bench coach position Wednesday, Wally Backman may be headed the opposite direction." So would Backman, who spent five seasons playing for Davey Johnson when the current-Nats' Skipper was the Mets' manager, join the Nationals? "I was just informed that the report about Wally Backman possibly joining the #Nats as a Major League coach is not true," MLB.com's Bill Ladson (@washingnats) wrote on Twitter. Well that was wrapped up in true sitcom fashion. Tune in next week, when another rumor about the Nationals is brought up and shot down. On to the links...

• THE BIG STORY!!: 

• "'Even in my worst year [in 2010], I hit .253,' [Nyjer] Morgan said. 'What did [Werth] hit?' The answer to that rhetorical question, of course, is that Werth hit .232 in 2011." - "Ex-National Nyjer Morgan finding stardom, acceptance in Milwaukee" - Dave Sheinin, The Washington Post

• NATS BEAT: 

• "[Ryan] Zimmerman admitted this was the first year in which he felt like the Nats had a chance to win every night..." - "Video: Zim on the Nats' future" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "The Nationals' arbitration cases will be among the most interesting aspects of their winter, considering they have so many key players coming up for what could be significant raises." - "Looking at the Nationals' money matters" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• "Washington Nationals – Stolen from Montreal. Not that I care. But it’s tacky." - "Why I Hate Your Team" - Royals Authority

• Jim Riggleman, Former manager, discussed Tony La Russa and the great managers we are seeing in this postseason. Audio: Twitter: @MLBNetworkRadio

• MOAR MONEYBALL!!: "The movie, and to a lesser extent the book, amplifies this debate, portraying Beane as Luke Skywalker and scouts as stormtroopers." - "'Moneyball’ is compelling, but leaves out much of the real story" - Jason Reid, The Washington Post

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "When we ignore the question of the impact our actions have on others' well-being, inevitably we end up hurting them."

• AFL UPDATES: 

• "The Nationals contingent at the Arizona Fall League is finally complete with left-hander Matt Purke ditching Instructional League for the Fall League and arriving in Arizona on Tuesday night." - "Checking in on the Arizona Fall League" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "Rafael Martin finally got into an AFL game for the Scorpions, pitching one inning in front of Lehman, allowing no hits, one walk and one strikeout." - "Lehman allows two runs, Walters RBI hit, Harper plays right field in Scottsdale loss" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "AFL Update: October 12, 2011" - NationalsProspects.com

• NATSTOWN: 

• "Four players from the 2011 Washington Nationals team highlight a roster of Major League players that will participate in a series of four exhibition games in early November." - "Nationals well represented on MLB all-star team touring Taiwan" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page

• "So sit back, relax, grab a nice cup of (Irish) coffee and enjoy the ride. Let’s get this one out of the way right up front. Matt Stairs." - "A Few Good Men: 2 - Stairs" - Sean, Capitol Baseball

• "This spring training I noticed that before a New York Mets split squad game I saw the Washington Nationals doing something that I had never seen a major league team do prior to a big league game..." - "Carfado: Some Nats Not So Keen About Infield Practice" - Will Yoder, The Nats Blog

• "While the rest of the non-mustached Washington Nationals don’t have to enter another competition for the next few months, pitcher Collin Balester is in the throws of an epic battle between good and evil…" - "VOTE!: Nationals’ Balester Nominated for Mustached American of the Year" - Keara Dowd, Win for Teddy

• NL EAST UPDAES: 

• Braves: "As lonely as Craig Kimbrel felt coming off the mound in the ninth inning after blowing a save against the Phillies on the last day of the Braves’ season, there was somebody who could relate." - "With help from Wagner, Kimbrel puts blown save behind him" - Carroll Rogers, ajc.com

• Mets: "The early returns were nothing short of spectacular. Davis hit .302/.383/.543 through 149 plate appearances, good enough for a .391 wOBA." - "Top Six Stories of the 2011 Mets: Ike Davis' Season-Ending Injury (4)" - Chris McShane, Amazin' Avenue

• Phillies: "The possibility that Jimmy Rollins won't wear red pinstripes again hasn't crossed his mind." - "SS Rollins thinks he will return to Phillies" - Rob Maaddi, seattlepi.com

• Marlins: "There are many in the game who anticipate the Marlins to be strongly in the mix for Pujols." - "Inbox: What free-agent moves will the Marlins make?" - Joe Frisaro, marlins.com: News

• REALLY, ST. LOUIS?: "Tony La Russa and the St. Louis Cardinals are going nuts for the Rally Squirrel." - "Cardinals to distribute Rally Squirrel towels for Game 3 - AP/SI.com

• AND YOUR REWARD FOR READING THIS FAR:

• "This is an unromantic attempt to unwrap the most mysterious streak in sports. Yes, we’re taking on the Chicago Cubs." - "The Cubs" - Joe Posnanski, SI.com