Wire Taps: Washington Nationals, Jayson Werth, NY Mets' Ownership, Bryce Harper = Superman?

• Programming Notes: Still steamed? Is a day off a good thing for your Nationals fandom? Would you rather have another game today to potentially remove the taste of the three-game sweep and 1-7 roadtrip from NatsTown's collective mouth? Does the prospect of a three-game stint with the San Diego Padres provide reason for hope? What sort of changes would Jayson Werth like to see? I'd like to know...When's Zimmerman coming back again? I think I read somewhere it was "mid-June"?: 

• NATS BEAT: 

• Must Read: "'It cost me a lot of money,' he said, 'but I’ll sleep like a baby.' - Mike Rizzo on recent fine - "Nationals’ season is starting to show signs of wear" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post

• "'It was a terrible trip,' said manager Jim Riggleman. 'You’re 1-7. That’s a bad road trip.'" - "Nationals' frustrations continue as Brewers finish sweep" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "The Brewers also played his 'Ultimate Warrior' entrance music and timed his sprint on the scoreboard, just as they did when he was with the team." - "Coffey gets warm welcome from Brewers" - Joe DiGiovanni, nationals.com: News

• "'Good ballclubs are resilient. Good players are resilient, bounce back. I believe in these guys in here.'" - "Nationals vs. Brewers: Milwaukee completes sweep, 6-4" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post

• "'We've just got to find a way to put it all together,' [Riggleman] said. 'Put the offense and the pitching together more often on the same day.'" - "Washington Nationals at Milwaukee Brewers: Nats unable to cool off Brewers, drop finale" - Joe DiGiovanni, MLB.com WSH Recap

• "With starting pitcher Jason Marquis having a very consistent start for the Nationals this season, his stock will not be any higher at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline." - "With De La Rosa gone, could deal for Marquis with Rockies be possible?" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "'You have to accept your record as that's what it is. That's where you are,' Riggleman said Wednesday. 'That must be what you are.'" - "San Diego Padres at Washington Nationals: Nationals, Padres square off trying to get on track" - John Schlegel, MLB.com Preview

• "Werth credited altering his stance in the batter’s box, which allowed him to get into a more comfortable hitting position..." - "Jayson Werth not just talk" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "How to bring a smile to peoples’ faces? If you remain stony and suspicious … very difficult! Genuine smiles only come from compassion." -

• NATS MINOR LEAGUE UPDATES: 

• Class-A HarperHagerstown: "The most impressive part about Bryce Harper's career so far has arguably been his ability to consistently exceed expectations while being among the most-hyped prospects in baseball history." - "Future Shock: Breaking Down Superman" - Kevin Goldstein, Baseball Prospectus | Future Shock

• Class-A Hagerstown: Class-A Hagerstown: Bryce Harper, 0 for 3 with a walk/K; A.J. Cole, 4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER 1 BB, 5 K's (L, 0-3) - Hagerstown Suns Scoreboard

• Class-A Potomac: "Potomac did well to climb out of an 8-0 whole, and it started in the bottom of the third. Centerfielder J.R. Higley torched a solo shot to start off the inning." -"Lozada Goes 3-4 in Loss to K-Tribe" - Potomac Nationals News

• Double-A Harrisburg: "All season long, the Harrisburg Senators are celebrating their historic 25th season since returning to the Eastern League in 1987. As part of the celebration, the Senators are naming a 25th season All-Time team." - "25th Season Harrisburg Senators All-Time Team" - Terry Byrom, Harrisburg Senators News

• Triple-A Syracuse [Audio Link]: Chiefs Inside Pitch: "Syracuse Chiefs GM John Simone and play-by-play voice Jason Benetti provide the latest Chiefs news: Getting to Know the Chiefs: Seth Bynum."

• "A.J. Cole took his third loss, allowing all four runs (two earned) over four and 2/3rds innings on seven hits and a walk, while striking out five." - "Thursday’s News & Notes" - Sue Dinem, NationalsProspects.com

• SHARKNATSTOWN: 

•  "Goblincinerating" is the act of eating at least 30 pounds (29 pounds and less is considered 'goblimpudent') of goblin shark meat before a game to harness it's supernatural and evil powers." - 'NATS 'GOBLINCINERATED'" - Sharkadina: Roger Bernadina's Unofficial Blog

• NATSTOWN: 

• "I think it’s pretty obvious what’s going on around here." - Nats Enquirer

• "It's certainly never too early to start predicting and pontificating on who will be the Nats All-Star representative(s)." - "Early All-Star Predictions" - Joe Drugan, Capitol Baseball

• "But as was the case in all three games in Milwaukee, the Brewers scored multiple runs in the first, putting the Nats behind the eight-ball once again." - "GAME 49 REVIEW: Greinke's Arm, Bat Help Brewers Sweep Nats" - Dave Nichols, Nats News Network

• "The following are some thoughts on the current members of the Nationals rotation and where they might or might not fit in the big picture. Call it my Tao of Nationals pitching." - "For starters, a Tao on the Nationals' rotation" - MASNSports.com, Nationals Buzz: Drew Kinback

• NL EAST UPDATES: 

• Reds Vs. Phillies: "Wednesday night, the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies played nearly 19 full innings of baseball before Raul Ibanez drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly. The win went to infielder Wilson Valdez, who threw a hitless 19th in relief." - Wilson Valdez Earns Improbable Win After 19 Innings - Jeff Sullivan, SBNation.com

• Marlins: "Posey was leveled by the Marlins' Scott Cousins and writhed in pain on the ground before being helped off the field, unable to put weight on his left foot." - "Giants' Buster Posey hurt in brutal home-plate collision" - Jorge L. Ortiz, Daily Pitch, USATODAY.com

• Phillies: "You’re familiar with Brown, no doubt. The 23-year-old is an outfielder with true five-tool talent who is still refining some of his skills, which he’s ready to do at the big-league level." - "Domonic Brown, Mike Minor, Rubby De La Rosa: Mining the Minors" - Jason Catania, FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball

• Mets: "'David Einhorn is indeed the Mets’ choice to be their limited partner,' FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal tweeted Thursday morning. 'Deal not official yet.'" -"Report: New York Mets Agree To Sell Minority Stake To Greenlight Capital, Inc. Hedge Funder David Einhorn" - CBS New York

• Reds: "As I reported Saturday in my 'Full Count' video, the Braves’ starting-pitching depth will give them an advantage at the trade deadline — that is, if the club develops a need." - "Cincinnati Reds treading lightly with fireballer Aroldis Chapman" - Ken Rosenthal notebook, FOX Sports on MSN