• Well, the Nationals' willingness to spend last winter to bring Jayson Werth to Washington has apparently made them a destination for the game's biggest names or at least resulted in the Nats being mentioned in connection to just about every name of the free agent/trade market this time around. The Nationals have scouted Yu Darvish, MLB.com's Bill Ladson's heard that they're interested in Japanese lefty Tsuyoshi Wada. FOXSports.com's reporters are saying that Roy Oswalt is a possibility the Nationals are considering as they attempt to add a veteran presence to their rotation. And speaking of the Nats' rotation, FOXSports.com's Jon Morosi (@JonMorosi) wrote this morning on Twitter that, "Looking at the #Nats pitching depth, I’m thinking they’re not far away from being a contender." D.C. GM Mike Rizzo and skipper Davey Johnson agree. When do pitchers and catchers report again?
• THE BIG STORY:
• "If you are looking for Nats targets, look at Darvish...Believe me, he's been on the Kasten, Bowden, Rizzo radar for years." - "Ask Boswell about the Redskins, Washington sports" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post
• NATS BEAT:
• "As has been the case here in D.C., the Marlins have seen their names attached to just about every top free agent on the market." - "The ever-shifting NL East" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "The Nationals have expressed interest in left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada of the Japanese Pacific League, according to two baseball sources." - "Nationals show interest in Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "The Nationals might not be as close to winning the Series as some other clubs that might pursue Oswalt, but club officials are trying to build a team that will contend next season." - "Free agency updates" - Jon Morosi, FOX Sports on MSN
• "[Yunesky] Maya pitched in his first game for Criollos de Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League this past Friday and allowed four runs in one inning." - "Yunesky Maya dealing with elbow soreness in winter ball" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals have also been mentioned as teams interested in the righthanded hitting Yoenis Cespedes..." - "Cuban slugger will cause bidding war" - Bob Brookover, Philadelphia Inquirer
• "The Nationals will be in hot pursuit of a leadoff hitter, which could be Cespedes or someone like the Rays' B.J. Upton." - "Marlins' rumblings add to NL East intrigue this winter" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "This past season was the first time Morse was given a chance to play every day, and he took advantage of the situation..." - "Morse, Clippard take home Nats team awards" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "Ironically, it was [Davey] Johnson who convinced [Wally] Backman to stay with the Mets." - "Klapisch: Backman shows loyalty to Mets" - Bob Klapisch, NorthJersey.com
• "As it turns out, Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record reports that [Davey] Johnson himself has recommended [Wally] Backman take the job in Buffalo." - "Backman turns down Nats, appears headed for Herd" - Mike Harrington, Inside Pitch - The Buffalo News
• "They will open the bank, but I have a feeling that [C.J.] Wilson is not on the radar screen." - "Nationals Inbox: Should Danny Espinosa have won the Gold Glove?" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "One source with close knowledge of the process said the Fighters will "more likely than not" post [Yu] Darvish — but cautioned that it’s 'not definite.'" - "Offseason arms race will be hot" - Jon Morosi, FOX Sports on MSN
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "The purpose of spiritual practice is to effect a transformation in our attitudes; to make our minds more positive."
• AFL/WINTER LEAGUE UPDATES:
• "It is big for [Sammy] Solis to accumulate these innings after getting off to a slow start this season because of various nagging injuries during extended spring training." - "Solis wins AFL Pitcher of the Week honors" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• Arizona Fall League: Salt River 9, Scottsdale 4 - Derek Norris - 1 for 5, Zach Walters - 2 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 RBI - Box Score.
• "Nationals prospect Zach Walters collected two hits and drove in a run..." - "Paulsen, Arenado lead Rafters to win" - Robert Emrich, MLB.com: News
• "AFL Update: Nov. 8, 2011" - NationalsProspects.com
• Liga de Beisbol Dominicano: Tigres del Licey - 6, Estrellas de Oriente 1 - Chris Marrero - 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 K's - Box Score
• NATSTOWN:
• "In this installment of the Best Moments of the Washington Nationals 2011 season, we'll remember phenom Stephen Strasburg's return to Major League Baseball..." - "Best Moments of 2011 - #4: Stephen Strasburg Returns" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog
• "How he became a Nat: Came over to the Nats from the Cubs in a January trade that sent AJ Morris, Graham Hicks, and Michael Burgess to the North Side." - "A Few Good Men: 21 - Gorzelanny" - Mac, Capitol Baseball
• "[Tsuyoshi Wada] .... won the Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year Award in 2003 and has twice participated in the NPB All Star Game." - "Nationals Look to Japan, Interested in Tsuyoshi Wada" - Aaron Somers, District on Deck
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Phillies: via SI.com's Jon Heyman on Twitter (@SI_JonHeyman): "#phillies also have had talks with papelbon. Seem determined to sign either pap or madson. like their style."
• Mets/Marlins: "Though [Jose] Reyes’ representatives...declined comment on the situation, the interest from the Marlins offers a hint of the bidding that will eventually begin for Reyes’ services." - "Florida Marlins interested in Jose Reyes, report says" - Andy McCullough, NJ.com
• "Entering the 2011 season, Atlanta's acquisition of Dan Uggla from the Marlins looked to be exactly what the team needed; Uggla was the right-handed power bat the Braves didn't have in 2010." - "2011 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Dan Uggla" - TonyAlmeyda, Talking Chop