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• The Taiwan All-Star Series wrapped up on Sunday with Chien-Ming Wang on the mound for the Chinese Taipei national team pitching against Nats' teammate Michael Morse. Bryce Harper and Derek Norris played in the AFL Rising Stars game, though it was over before they could make much noise. It was a busy week in NatsTown, but the big story might have emerged this morning with the Washington Nationals reportedly interested in a potential center fielder that no one saw coming...
• THE BIG STORY:
• "Multiple Nationals talent evaluators, according to a team official, attended a workout Friday in the Dominican Republic that showcased Yoenis Cespedes..." - "Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes on the Nationals’ radar" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• NATS BEAT:
• "The Nationals have by no means completed this rebuilding process. They're really only halfway there." - "Nats way ahead of O's in rebuilding game" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "The contingent of Nationals players - Michael Morse, Collin Balester, Ross Detwiler and Chien-Ming Wang - who went to Taiwan as part of MLB's 2011 Taiwan All-Star Series have returned home." - "Nationals players wrap up in Taiwan" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "Baseball America is out with its annual top 10 list of prospects for the Nationals and it is no surprise who is listed at No. 1." - "Baseball America's top 10 Nationals prospects" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "'I’m looking at the lineup. I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m batting between Cano and Granderson.’ It was an accomplishment for me.'" - Michael Morse - "Michael Morse having a memorable, affirming trip in Taiwan" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "General Manager Mike Rizzo said he will not stop searching for a top-of-the-rotation starter..." - "It's official, Wang has new deal with the Nats" - Craig Heist, WTOP.com
• "The Nationals believe [Bo] Porter is very valuable to the organization as a coach, especially as the third base coach." - "Bo Porter will remain third base coach for the Nationals" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "'The more we're playing them, the better they're playing,' said Nationals first baseman Michael Morse, who showed up for the postgame interview in a special Washington moped helmet..." - "Cano, Wigginton homer as MLB All-Stars defeat Wang and Chinese Taipei" - Doug Miller, nationals.com: News
• "I have to wonder what criteria will be used to select a new dugout sidekick for [Davey] Johnson." - "Bench coach selection could be critical decision" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com
• AFL/Winter League UPDATES:
• "[Sammy] Solis, a 6-foot-5 left-hander, has been hitting 94 miles per hour with his fastball regularly in the fall league and has reached 97." - "Sammy Solis has a big night in the Arizona Fall League" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "Bryce Harper drove in a run in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game and Derek Norris and he both managed to get on base with a walk..." - "Harper, Norris hitless in Rising Stars Game" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "Maybe the East could have used the pitching of left-hander Sammy Solis, who was absolutely brilliant Friday night in his first win of the AFL campaign." - "Harper, Solis and Norris AFL updates" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "[Bryce] Harper walked in his first at-bat, hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field in his second plate appearance and struck out in his third and fourth chances." - "Bryce Harper, Derek Norris appear in Rising Stars game in Arizona Fall League" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Tiburones de La Guaira 5, Aguilas del Zulia 2 - Henry Blanco - 1 for 4, 1 R; Sandy Leon - 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB - Box Score.
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Bravos de Margarita 0, Leones de Caracas 6 - Ryan Tatusko - 2.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 3 K's; Henry Rodriguez - 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K's; Josh Wilkie - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K's - Box Score.
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Navegantes del Magallanes 5, Caribes de Anzoategui - 4; Jesus Flores - 1 for 4. - Box Score.
• Liga de Beisbol Dominicano: Aguilas Cibaenas 10, Tigres del Licey 2 - Chris Marrero - 0 for 3, 1 BB; Jhonatan Solano - 1 for 4, 1 K - Box Score.
• Liga de Beisbol Dominicano: Leones del Escogido 3, Toros del Este 2 - Eury Perez 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 K - Box Score.
• "Winter League Roundup" - NationalsProspects.com
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred."
• NATSTOWN:
• "Washington Nationals lefty relief pitcher was born on 11/6/1984 in Cotul, Dominican Republic." - "Happy Birthday Atahualpa Severino" - Cheryl Nichols, District Sports Page
• "One of the key takeaways, besides an entire country's love for Wang (Chien-Ming Wang, that is), is that fans apparently took to Michael Morse over there." - "Wang is huge, but Morse is pretty big too in Taiwan" - Nats Enquirer
• "AFL Update: November 6, 2011" - NationalsProspects.com
• "Brad Peacock - Age 23 - Under club control for another 6ish years." - "A Few Good Men: 19 - Peacock" - Mac, Capitol Baseball
• "After spending the second half of that season and all of last year in Syracuse, Martis found himself in Harrisburg for the entire 2011 season." - "Ranking the Nats' minor league free agent pitchers" - Sean Hogan, DC is for Baseball
• "Playing as a designated hitter in the rising stars game, Bryce Harper went 0 for 2 with a walk, an RBI and two strikeouts in four at-bats." - "Bryce Harper and Derek Norris Failed to Shine in AFL Rising Stars Game" - Cheryl Nichols, District Sports Page
• "The National have not been shy about their needs. On top of that list is center field. The free agent market is bare in that department." - "Living on the Edge: Center Fielder" - UnkleWheez DC Sports Fan
• "The hot stove league kicked off this week with the Nats signing Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year, $4 million contract." -"How will Wang’s signing affect the Nats’ plans?" - Nat Anacostia, Nats Noodles
• "We don't have much to add to the above description of Michael Morse taking batting practice wearing a 'typical Taiwanese moped helmet'..." - "Here's video of Michael Morse taking BP in Taiwan in a Curly W moped helmet" - Nats Enquirer
• "The 10-0 victory over the Cardinals on that June evening was significant in several ways that made it worthy of a spot on this elite list." - "Best Moments of 2011 - #5: Livo Blanks Cards in 10-0 Nationals Win" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog
• "Out of nowhere, a center field prospect has emerged, and he looks to be quite the talent." - "A Center Fielder Appears" - The Nationals Review
• "[Danny] Espinosa is viewed as the counterpart to Ian Desmond in the future of the team’s infield, but few, if any, expected this much success this soon." - "Nats 2011 Grades: Danny Espinosa" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Marlins 1: "Considering the Miami Marlins cap photo that leaked to the Internet in September turns out to be the real deal, these uniform sketches featuring a veritable (and literal) rainbow of colors seem legit." - "Rainbow bright: Miami Marlins new uniforms (maybe) leak" - David Brown, Big League Stew - MLB Blog - Yahoo! Sports
• Marlins 2: "Specious Marlins Uniform Image of the Day" - Dayn Perry, NotGraphs Baseball
• Phillies: "With the Phillies reportedly in serious pursuit of free agent Michael Cuddyer, I find myself caught in something of a time warp whenever I hear him mentioned." - "A Closer Look at Michael Cuddyer" - Paul Boye, Crashburn Alley
• Mets: "With reports on Sunday leading to Internet chatter about the Mets’ willingness to listen to trade offers on Wright, it is a good time for a refresher." - "NY Mets GM Sandy Alderson said he would have to be ‘bowled over’ to trade third baseman David Wright" - Andy Martino, NY Daily News
• Braves: "The Royals are interested in [Jair] Jurrjens and appear willing to deal [Lorenzo] Cain..." - "Royals notebook: Trade talks heat up" - Bob Dutton, KansasCity.com