Wire Taps: Washington Nationals And Chien-Ming Wang Agree On Deal.

• The Nationals officially announced that right-hander Chien-Ming Wang had agreed to a one-year deal that will keep the sinker-balling starter in the nation's capital. Bryce Harper hit yet another HR Thursday (his fifth in six games), and Ross Detwiler gave up one run in 3.2 IP pitching in the Taiwan All-Star Series. The Washington Nationals were out making news while other teams were quietly going about their offseason. Here are all the links that are fit to print...

From Nats' Press Release: 

Chien-Ming Wang: "I am appreciative of the opportunity and all the support the Nationals gave me to make the comeback," said Wang. "I am excited about next season, playing together with my teammates, and look forward to doing my best to help the Nationals to the playoffs."

• THE BIG STORY: 

• Chien-Ming Wang Links: 

• "For [Chien-Ming] Wang, 31, the contract represents another milestone in his recovery from the torn shoulder capsule and major surgery that derailed his career..." -  "Chien-Ming Wang set to re-sign with Nationals" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "Local star Wang reportedly reaches deal with Nationals for another year" - The China Post

• "According to a team source, the Nationals and Chien-Ming Wang have agreed on a new one-year deal, pending a physical." - "Nationals agree to terms with Chien-Ming Wang pending physical" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "'I really liked it in Washington. I liked Davey [Johnson] and I liked everyone in the organization from the top right on down...'" - Brian Bixler - "Nats and Wang get deal; Bixler claimed by Astros; and Harper red hot" - Craig Heist, WTOP.com

• "Wang's return to D.C. seemed a foregone conclusion since the end of the season, when both he and the club expressed a desire to work out a new deal." - "Wang returns to Nats on 1-year deal" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "It will be Wang's third year with the organization, which was willing to pay him $3 million total on a pair of prior one-year deals to rehabilitate a serious right shoulder injury on the team's dime." - "Healthy Wang adds to the Nationals' depth" - Brian McNally, Washington Examiner

• "It has long been known that Wang wanted to return to the Nationals, who stuck by him after he missed almost three years with shoulder problems that date back to his years with the Yankees." - "Chien-Ming Wang gets wish, will stay in Washington" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "'I really appreciate their patience the last two years,' Wang said in September when asked about the loyalty he felt to the Nationals.'" - "Nationals, Chien-Ming Wang reach 1-year, $4 million deal" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "Wang had wanted to re-sign with the Nationals after the team helped him rehab through the 2010 season and the first half of 2011." - "Nationals agree to one-year deal with Chien-Ming Wang" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• NATS BEAT: 

• "Matty Alou, once part of an all-Alou outfield for the San Francisco Giants with brothers Felipe and Jesus, died Thursday in his native Dominican Republic. He was 72." - "Matty Alou, once part of Giants’ all-Alou outfield, dies at 72 in Dominican Republic" - AP/The Washington Post

• "The Nationals lost utility player Brian Bixler after the Houston Astros claimed him off waivers..." - "Nationals’ Brian Bixler claimed by Astros off waivers" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "For a veteran option, how about Mark Buehrle? He'll cost less as a 32-year-old and -- considering his limited fastball -- switching to the National League can't hurt." - "A small shopping list for Nationals" - Brian McNally, Washington Examiner

• "The name that makes sense to me, as I've been saying for a while, is White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle, who has logged more than 200 innings in 11 consecutive seasons." - "With Chien-Ming Wang returning, Nationals rotation shaping up" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• "As of Thursday morning, though, multiple sources indicated that neither third base coach Bo Porter nor Triple-A manager Randy Knorr were the main candidates for that job." - "Nationals search for bench coach likely to extend beyond Bo Porter, Randy Knorr" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "Chase Hughes and I delved into a bunch of topics this afternoon on our latest live edition of Beltway Baseball." - "Beltway Baseball Live" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "While his role with the Nationals is not yet known, it's safe to assume his expertise in Latin America is part of the reason the team was interested in him." - "Ron Rizzi joining Nationals as special assistant" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• "The Astros announced they've claimed utility man Brian Bixler off waivers from the Nationals today, sending the valuable do-everything man to Houston after he spent much of 2011 in Washington." - "Astros claim Nationals utility man Brian Bixler" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "General Manager Mike Rizzo has been mum on how much or how little he can increase the payroll..." - "The Nationals’ payroll: An overview" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "The addition of veteran scout Ron Rizzi to the Nationals' brain trust is yet another example of the ballclub's commitment to building a winner for the long term." - "Nats add Rizzi to front office mix" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com

• "Bixler played solid defense, but didn't provide a lot of punch off the bench, hitting .205 in 79 games." - "Nationals lose Bixler to Astros" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "We all like to be around kind people; their peaceful, relaxed nature puts us at ease." 

• AFL UPDATES: 

• "'It has always been in the back of my mind,' Solis said. 'I knew without consistency from the knuckle-curve, I am not going anywhere.'" - "Solis adds traditional curve to pitching repertoire" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "Harper's third-inning homer off Braves left-hander Sean Gilmartin (2-1) was his sixth long ball of the fall..." - "Harper homers for fifth time in six games" - Danny Wild and Ashley Marshall, nationals.com: News

• "So much for a slow start. That is ancient history, again, for Bryce Harper." - "Harper goes yard again as Scottsdale rolls over Surprise" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• VWL UPDATES: 

• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Gregor Blanco 0 for 3, 1 BB, 2 K's, 1 R; Hector Nelo - 0.2 IP, 1 BB - Tiburones de La Guaira 3, Cardenales de Lara 4 - Box Score.

• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Jesus Flores 1 for 1 - Bravos de Margarita 7, Navegantes del Magallanes 5 -Box Score.

• NATSTOWN: 

• "With Wang under contract and virtually assured a spot in the starting rotation, the Nats seemingly have a log-jam of starters for the first time since the move in 2005." - "Nats reportedly bring back Chien-Ming Wang on one-year deal" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page

• "NatsGM Interview with Mark Zuckerman from Nats Insider" - NatsGM

• "NATS: Collin Balester and Movember" - Cheryl Nichols, District Sports Page

• "Boswell Chat 10/31/11: My answers to his Baseball questions" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arm Race

• "If Michael Morse feels like Brad Pitt over there; Chien-Ming Wang must feel like the Beatles." - "Nats re-sign Chien-Ming Wang for another year" - Nats Enquirer

• "After just half a year of work after two years of injury problems, Chien-Ming Wang has a deal." - "Nats Sign Wang to $4M Deal" - Keara Dowd, Win for Teddy

• NL EAST UPDATES: 

• Marlins: "On Wednesday, the team unveiled four new street names bordering their gleaming new ballpark in Little Havana, not to mention a mailing address: 501 Marlins Way." - "Florida Marlins’ ballpark boundary streets given historic names" - Clark Spencer, MiamiHerald.com

• Mets: "The Mets insist they want to retain Jose Reyes, but at their reasonable price..." - "Jose Reyes will get monster deal, but not from Mets, if he stays patient" - Joel Sherman, NYPOST.com

• Braves: "[The Braves] are now exploring the possibility of gaining more flexibility while talking to clubs interested in trading for Jair Jurrjens and/or Martin Prado." - "Braves willing to trade Jurrjens and Prado" - Mark Bowman, MLB.com, Bowman's Blog 

• Phillies: "Jim Salisbury: Baseball America's Top Ten Phillies Prospects" - WholeCamels, The Good Phight