Wire Taps: Washington Nationals' Jayson Werth Talks To A Phillie...Allegedly.

• Slow Start Meet Double: 2010 no.1 overall pick Bryce Harper hit his first double in the Arizona Fall League yesterday, but then got thrown out at home trying to score from second on a two-out single. It's never easy. Can we start writing articles about how the "slow-starting" Harper's turning things around now? Word is Jayson Werth is talking to a certain Philadelphia Phillie about joining him in the nation's capital. Last time he tried that it didn't go so well...[points to Cliff Lee], but there's more about that in the BIG story. Think it's about time for Sammy Solis' third AFL start? Have the Nats signed Prince Fielder yet? What? They can't yet? How about C.J. Wilson? Here's some links and stuff...

• THE BIG STORY: 

• "The Nationals are a candidate for [Ryan] Madson if he leaves the Phillies; ex-Phillies teammate Jayson Werth is trying to sell Madson on the Nats." - "Brewers owner Attanasio appears right at home in Milwaukee" - Jon Heyman, SI.com

• NATS BEAT: 

• "The Nats have a good GM. And his scouting background (plus sabermetric work from assistants) may be more in tune with the times than the geek-centered front offices whose secrets are now common knowledge." - "Ask Boswell about Redskins loss, quarterback battle" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post

• "The lone ex-Nationals player left in the postseason is [Endy] Chavez, who hit .301 as a part-timer with the Rangers." - "Tongue planted firmly in cheek" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com

• "'Right over there is where it happened,' Clark Griffith II told his audience. 'Right over there is the tree in center field where Mickey Mantle hit two mammoth home runs on Opening Day 1956.'" - "HELLER: Tribute paid to D.C.'s bygone ballpark" - Dick Heller, Washington Times

• "[Bryce] Harper is 4-for-31 in eight games with the Scorpions, having tripled on Friday and doubled last night. He hasn't homered yet, though, and has only walked twice." - "Bryce Harper off to sluggish start in Arizona" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• "From his days in junior college and through the minors, Bryce Harper has typically started seasons slowly as an everyday player before bursting out." - "Bryce Harper starts slowly in the Arizona Fall League" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "NatsTown has been fairly quiet since the season ended three weeks ago, but that doesn't mean there aren't issues to discuss." - "Beltway Baseball Live - 2 p.m. today" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "As compassion grows stronger, so does your commitment to the welfare of all beings, even if you have to act alone."

• AFL UPDATES: 

• Box Score: Phoenix 7, Scottsdale 4: Bryce Harper - 1 for 4, Double - MLB.com: Gameday

• "'Looking back on the season, [Derek Norris] feels good that he was able to hit .400 when he put the ball in play. "So I am working off of that knowledge,' Norris said." - "Norris 'free and easy' at plate after struggles at Harrisburg" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "AFL Update: October 18, 2011" - NationalsProspects.com

• NATSTOWN: 

• "So Jayson unless you speak Japanese, please DON'T HELP!" - "Can Jayson Werth screw the Nats in the offseason too?" - traderkirk, Bang! Zoom!

• "Per Nationals Press Release, Screech will join Nationals players Ross Detwiler and Michael Morse, who have been named to the MLB team roster, and Chien-Ming Wang, who will play for the Chinese Taipei National Team." - "NATS: Screech Goes to Taiwan" - Cheryl Nichols, District Sports Page

• "MLB names perfect mascot for uninspiring MLB Taiwan Series All-Star team" - Nats Enquirer

• "Alex Cora - 35 this past season, but today is his 36th birthday! How he became a Nat: Signed a minor league contract with the Nats in January." - "A Few Good Men: 6 - Cora" - Sean, Capitol Baseball

• "While I expect one trade, for either a starter or a CF, don't be disappointed if they do nothing." - "Offseason for everyone" - Harper, Nationals Baseball

• NL EAST UPDATES: 

• Mets: "What's To Like: How He Handles The Press - If a baseball player's worth was decided by how well he talked to the media, Jason Bay would be worth a ton." - "The Top 25: Jason Bay" - Phlavio, Mack's Mets

• Marlins: "New Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen will offer his commentary throughout the World Series on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight." - "Florida Marlins: Catch Ozzie Guillen on ESPN; Prospect Kevin Mattison tearing up AFL" - Juan C. Rodriguez, Florida Sun-Sentinel

• Braves: "There really aren't a whole lot of words that can be said by anyone on Talking Chop to describe how great Jonny Venters had been throughout 2011..." - "2011 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Jonny Venters" - royhobbs, Talking Chop

• Phillies: "Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said second baseman Chase Utley's right knee may never be fully healthy." - "Amaro: Utley's Knee Injury May Be Chronic" - WTAE Pittsburgh

• MLB NEWS: 

• "But the Yankees are bracing for potentially difficult negotiations with [CC] Sabathia while showing limited-to-no fascination with Rangers free agent [C.J.] Wilson." - "Sabathia talks with Yankees could push limits" - Joel Sherman, NYPOST.com

• "The pain of losing Prince Fielder to free agency would be relieved if the Brewers were able to replace him by signing Jose Reyes." - "Jose the way now for Brewers to offset loss of Fielder" - Andy Baggot, Madison.com

• Classic Federal Baseball: SI.com's Joe Posnanski Talks Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg With Federal Baseball.com.