Wire Taps: Washington Nationals' Long Winter...Just Beginning.

• Rain In Arizona?: So it wasn't a dust storm, but a rain storm that caused the cancellation of the first game of the Scottsdale Scorpions' AFL schedule, depriving Nats fans of the opportunity to follow updates on MiLB.com's GameDay. Bryce Harper was in the lineup, in left and the cleanup spot in front of fellow Nationals' prospect Derek Norris. The Scorpions will get another shot to start the Fall League this afternoon when they play the Surprise Rafters at 12:35 pm MST, 3:35 pm in D.C. There was big news about a new gig for the Nats' closer today. Let's Go Brewers and Tigers!: 

• LINKS AND LINKS AND...

• NATS BEAT: 

• Jayson Werth: "Well, he's signed for six more years and $115.4 million more, so he better fit in somewhere." - "Position analysis: Outfield" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "As the Nationals head into the offseason, you're going to hear plenty about their need to get better at the top of the lineup." - "The Nationals' leadoff problem, in context" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• Twitter - @NationalsPR: "#Nationals closer @DrewStoren will join @MLBNetworkRadio as a Postseason Analyst beginning today at 4pm."  

• "No one will confuse Michael Morse with Vladimir Guerrero, who accomplished that feat with the then-Montreal Expos in 2002 and is likely headed to the Hall of Fame." - "Finding curtain calling wasn't easy for Nationals' Morse" - Brian McNally, Washington Examiner

• "While Francona is an obvious candidate for any big league managerial opening, I sincerely doubt he's on the Nationals' radar." - "No curly W for Francona" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com

• "[Pat] Lehman had such a quality campaign that he was selected to the Scottsdale Scorpions roster as one of the representatives from the Nationals organization." - "GW product Lehman ready to showcase stuff in Arizona" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• Post Sports Live: Nationals 2011 season review; Redskins first-quarter assessment - Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• Twitter - @NationalsPR: "The Nationals went 45-38 (.542) when playing an opponent with an above-.500 record."

• "Zim may want top wait until he starts off strong in '12. But I hope you'll see a reasonable Nats offer and that, after some arm wrestling, that he takes it..." - "Ask Boswell" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post

• "1) Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals, Grade A: Hit .318/.423/.554 with 14 homers and 19 steals in Low-A..." - "Top 50 Hitting Prospects for 2011: How They Performed" - John Sickels, Minor League Ball

• Your Daily Message From the Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "The more we feel concern for others and seek their well-being, the more friends we will have and the more welcome we will feel."

• NATSTOWN: 

• "However this offseason may finally provide the first opportunity for the Nats to have a legitimate shot at prying Upton from Tampa..." - "Expect the B.J. Upton To The Nationals Talks To Pick Up Again This Offseason" - Will Yoder, The Nats Blog

• "So, ever since the end of the season… all we have heard from the Nats front office is that we need high OBP leadoff-man who plays CF." - "The Nats, Centerfield, and Value" - Sean, Capitol Baseball

• "Season Review: 2011 GCL Nationals" - NationalsProspects.com

• "On October 5, 1948—63 years ago—Washington won its last World Series. The championship was not won by the Senators, who lost 97 games and finished seventh in the American League." - "Washington’s last, forgotten World Series championship" - Nat Anacostia, Nats Noodles

• "If you are interested in rooting for teams based on former Nats that played for them this season, here you go." - "Playoff Nats" - Harper, Nationals Baseball

• "Boswell Chat 10/3/11: My answers to his Baseball questions" - Nationals Arm Race

• NL EAST UPDATES: 

• Braves: "You may know former MLB pitcher Steve Avery from such hits as an 18-8 record with the Atlanta Braves 1991..." - "In which Steve Avery thinks he wins a new car, but dealership says no" - Rick Chandler, Off the Bench

• Mets: "The New York Mets are cutting some ticket prices for the third straight year at Citi Field after another losing season." - "Mets cutting season ticket prices third straight year" - AP/SI.com

• Marlins: "Prepare for the most exciting Marlins offseason in recent memory." - "Offseason Outlook: Florida Marlins: MLB Rumors" - Tim Dierkes, MLBTradeRumors.com

• Phillies: "Now, Oswalt has a chance to help the Phils send the Cardinals home for the 2011 off-season on Wednesday night when he gets the ball in Game 4..." - "Oswalt has chance for another St. Louis clincher" - Kevin Cooney, phillyBurbs.com

• Moar Moneyball: "Oakland Athletics GM and Moneyball subject Billy Beane stops by for an exclusive and lengthy interview with Athletics Nation." - "Oakland A's GM Billy Beane, Post-Moneyball, Visits Athletics Nation - Part I - Athletics Nation"