Wire Taps: Washington Nationals/Mike Rizzo Conference Call Reports, Nats Links.

• Will the World Series just end already so we can all get on to 2012. Free agency. The Hot Stove League. The Taiwan Series...Well that's next week, and there will likely be an international incident when Michael Morse starts breaking hearts all over Taiwan by crushing their All-Star team's pitcher's fastballs. Davey Johnson's expected to be named the Nats' manager when the World Series ends. The Climax Series in Japan is set to start soon too, and once the Nippon-Ham Fighters are eliminated (or win it all) we'll all learn whether or not Yu Darvish is going to be posted. (What? Am I the only one impatiently waiting for that to happen?) Bryce Harper and Derek Norris are hot in the AFL, when does Matt Purke pitch again? Here's the links, there's lots of them today...#signYuDarvish

• THE BIG STORY: 

• "In six years in Nippon Professional Baseball, Japan’s highest league, Darvish has compiled a 2.12 ERA in 1,036 1/3 innings, striking out almost as many hitters (974) as he allowed on base (297 walks, 760 hits)." - "The Nationals scouted Yu Darvish this season" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• MOAR DARVISH LINKS: 

• "In their perpetual quest to acquire more pitching, the Nationals are likely to give some serious consideration to Yu Darvish..." - "The Darvish dilemma" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "As with most things, though, it's not that simple. Signing Darvish would come with a high price tag, yes, and there's no guarantees your bid will be the highest when you submit it to the Nippon Ham Fighters..." - "If he's posted, will the Nationals make a play for Yu Darvish?" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• NATS BEAT: 

• "After traveling to Viera for the instructional league season, Rizzo said he toured spring training sites in Fort Myers, Fla., where the Nationals could move their spring operation in the future." - "Highlights from Mike Rizzo's conference call" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• "Another player with a throwing program, top 2011 draft pick Anthony Rendon, is also making progress. Rendon has reported no setbacks from the right shoulder injury that plagued him throughout his junior season at Rice." - "News and notes from Mike Rizzo conference call" - Brian McNally, Washington Examiner

• "General manager Mike Rizzo has a general idea as to how many innings right-hander Stephen Strasburg will throw in 2012..." - "Rizzo has plan regarding Strasburg" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

• "It seems more like a matter of when than if for the Nationals and Wang reaching another deal." - "Chien-Ming Wang, Nationals remain in contract talks, no deal ‘imminent’" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "[Davey] Johnson managed the team from June 27 through the end of the 2011 season and said on the final day of the season that he would very much like to come back to manage in 2012." - "Nationals close to announcing manager, coaches for 2012" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "[Chien-Ming] Wang is preparing to pitch in the Taiwan All-Star Series in November. After he files for free-agency, the Nationals will not have control over how many pitches or innings he throws in the series." - "Nats: Odds and ends with Mike Rizzo" - Craig Heist, WTOP.com

• "Since he began to truly regain his form and prove himself as a viable member of the starting rotation, the Nationals have wanted to keep Chien-Ming Wang around for next year." - "Nationals not 'close' to a deal with Chien-Ming Wang; haven't talked with Hernandez, Rodriguez" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "[Mike] Rizzo continues to speak about [Adam] LaRoche (who is under contract for $8 million in 2012) as his starting first baseman..." - "Rizzo on LaRoche, Wang, Rendon" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "[Roy] Oswalt is head-and-shoulders above Jackson in pitchability, and at 34, would seem to have a lot left in the tank." - "Another pitching option?" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com

• "Rizzo said he and Johnson have been 'in communication' about next year’s coaching staff, which the Nationals will also finalize following the World Series." - "Nationals waiting to announce Davey Johnson as their next manager" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said this afternoon the team will have an announcement on its 2012 manager in the next few days." - "Rizzo: Nationals will make managerial announcement after World Series" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• "'When I start something, I would like to finish it,' Johnson said at the time. 'We haven't finished anything.'" - "Nationals expected to retain Davey Johnson as manager, a source says" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

• "In a conference call with reporters, Rizzo would say only that all managerial interviews have been completed. He would not disclose who the club brought in for interviews." - "Johnson likely to remain as Nationals' manager" - Brian McNally, Washington Examiner

• "[Chien-Ming] Wang has said that he feels loyal to the Nationals because they stuck with him for almost two years while he was recovering from shoulder problems." - "Nationals working to keep Wang" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

• "This offseason, Brandon, Miss., native [Tyler] Moore worked for 10 days at instructional league in the outfield after spending most of his career as a first baseman in the minor leagues." - "Could Tyler Moore be Nationals' version of Rangers' Mitch Moreland?" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Mind training refers to transforming or purifying the mind. All the major world religions have techniques for transforming the mind." 

• AFL UPDATES: 

• "General manager Mike Rizzo said yesterday that Norris' receiving skills are improving, as well, and it seems likely he will start at Triple-A Syracuse next year." - "Harper, Norris have big nights in Arizona" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• "Mesa starter Gerrit Cole showed Scottsdale some of the talent that made him the top pick in this year's Draft on Wednesday afternoon." - "Cole fires 3 2/3 hitless frames in Mesa's win" - John Parker, MLB.com: News

• "Scorpions and Potomac Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart said [Rafael] Martin is "one of the bright spots overall on the pitching staff and really stands out" in the first few weeks of the AFL season." - "Rafael Martin doing all the right things in Arizona (plus Harper update)" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "AFL Update: October 27, 2011" - NationalsProspects.com

• NATS MINOR LEAGUE UPDATES: 

• "In Spring Training this year, Brad Peacock made some minor adjustments to his delivery. During the season, they paid off in a major way." - "Peacock makes major strides in 2011" - David Heck, MiLB.com News

• "From the thousands of innings and warm summer nights of 2011, we've selected some of the best and most memorable images taken by our staff of photographers." - "Vote for your favorite photo of 2011" - MiLB.com News

• NATSTOWN: 

• "Thursday is Teddy Roosevelt’s birthday, and what better way to celebrate than to relive some of the top presidents race moments of 2011 (at least according to the Nationals)." - "On Teddy’s birthday, remembering the top presidents race moments of 2011" - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!

• "ESPN Film’s latest documentary, by excellent film maker Morgan Spurlock (of Super Size Me fame), discusses sports agents and their role in the sports industry." - "ESPN Films 'The Dotted Line'" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arm Race

• "Nationals fans probably don't need to spend time learning the Yu Darvish cheer song yet" - Nats Enquirer

• NL EAST UPDATES: 

• Phillies: "There was the time when Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston was battling a hostile environment and a bad phone system in Game 4 of the 1993 World Series at Veteran’s Stadium in Philadelphia." - "Communication breakdowns not always the same" - Bob Elliot, Toronto Sun

• Braves: "Jose Constanza: The 28-year old career minor leaguer finally got a chance to play in the major leagues, and made a big impression for about his first two weeks in Atlanta." - "2011 Atlanta Braves Player Reviews: Jose Constanza and Matt Diaz" - SCrebel10, Talking Chop

• Mets: "The Mets have considered and will again consider dealing Wright, even though it is extremely unlikely that they do so." - "The Mets could trade David Wright" - Ted Berg, Tedquarters

• Marlins: "The left field pool area, formerly known as La Playa, will be transformed into The Clevelander, an exciting, poolside venue that will feature great food, entertainment and private event space year-round." - "Marlins unveil The Clevelander at The New Marlins Ballpark" - marlins.com: Official Info