Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Weekend In Review. No On Yu Darvish, No On Norichika Aoki.

• Nats Weekend In Review: Friday night we learned that the Washington Nationals did not place a bid on 25-year-old Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters' right-hander Yu Darvish. Rumor has it Toronto won the bidding, announcement to come tomorrow. Norichika Aoki sounded like a potential solution for the Nats' center field/leadoff issues, but the Milwaukee Brewers won the bidding according to an announcement this morning. No word on whether or not the Nats bid on the 30-year-old Yakult Swallows' center fielder. Will Washington make a play for Hisashi Iwakuma? Are the Nationals still thinking they'll find a CF? Has the pitching search ended? Prince Fielder? We talked about that too, it was a long weekend...Here's what others following the Nats were talking about this weekend. Links and lots of 'em, RIGHT NOW!!

• THE BIG STORY!!! (tie):

• Audio: "Dmitri Young: 'There's a lot of life to live'" - Craig Heist, WTOP.com

• "(Hey! That's Yeonis Cespedes in a Curly W lid during the Yeonis Cespedes Encore video.)" - "Yeonis Cespedes in a Nats cap." - Nats Enquirer

(ed. note - "Disclaimer - Cespedes just happened to be wearing a Nats cap during his latest video. Including this link here does not represent our opinion that the Nationals will sign the 26-year-old outfielder.")

• NATS BEAT:

• "Now Rizzo has to weigh whether a potential acquisition is important enough to part with an established major leaguer and two or three top prospects." - "Rizzo must decide if rising price for pitching is too high" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com

• Twitter: Don Nomura (@donnomura): "Fighters will announce tomorrow late morning, 明日日ハムは受理する、#ダルビッシュ#darvish"

• "The Nationals made a series of minor league signings recently in order to augment their depth at Class AAA..." - "Catching up on Nationals’ minor league deals" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "The Nationals' 2011 payroll was about $64 million, ranking them 22nd overall. They spent roughly $21 million less than the Orioles, who won 11 fewer games." - "The green argument" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com

• "Closer Drew Storen is only 24. All-Star Tyler Clippard will turn 27 just before pitchers and catchers report for spring training." - "Does bullpen need bolstering?" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "The Nationals, given their history with Boras clients, will always be a whispered dark horse -- even though team sources have said repeatedly the Nats aren't in the running." - "Fielder still seeking a Princely sum" - Brian McNally, Washington Examiner

• "So after starting slow and then tearing up Single-A, Double-A and the Arizona Fall League, why not give Harper a shot with the Nationals out of spring training?" - "Where will Bryce Harper be on opening day?" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• Twitter: FOXSports.com's Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi): "While #BlueJays emerge as potential winners in Yu Darvish bidding, sources indicate they are unlikely to sign Fielder."

• "'Diet and exercise,' Young said. 'As funny as that sounds, it’s true. I cut down on meals, on the size of the meals, four or five [smaller] meals a day...'" - "Dmitri Young explains his weight loss and comeback" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post

• "With Darvish out of the picture, the Nationals are likely to stick with the rotation they currently have..." - "Nats out on Yu Darvish, likely to stick with rotation" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "Without a solidified rotation, is the door then more wide open for them to make a huge impression in spring training and make the team?" - "Peacock's role gaining importance as free agent market dwindles" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• Your Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "The best tribute to honor and remember Václav Havel is to work as best we can towards building a more peaceful, open and just world."

• NATS MINOR/WINTER LEAGUES:

• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Zulia 5, Magallanes 1 - Carlos Maldonado (ZUL) - 1 for 3, 1 BB, 1 K; Jesus Flores (MAG) - 1 for 4 - Box Score.

• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Aragua 6, Lara 5 - Wilson Ramos (ARA) - 0 for 0, 1 BB - Box Score.

• "Perfect for before a Nats game (what the hell, why not Little League too?) or just a summer picnic..." - "On The Fifth Day Of Nats-mas My True Love Gave To Me…" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy

• "Washington Nationals Preliminary Prospect List" - John Sickels, Minor League Ball

• "Sickels Releases Preliminary Prospect List" - NationalsProspects.com

• NATSTOWN:

• "Brian Bixler - Age 29 - Just over 1 year of MLB Service Time. How he became a Nat: Was "purchased" by the Nats from the Pirates in August of 2010 - essentially a trade for cash." - "A Few Good Men: 43 - Bixler" - Mac, Capitol Baseball

• "Perfect for before a Nats game (what the hell, why not Little League too?) or just a summer picnic..." - "On The Fifth Day Of Nats-mas My True Love Gave To Me…" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy

• "The Washington Nationals are still in search of their big pitching signing this offseason, and GM Mike Rizzo has officially turned to the trade market." - "Report: Nationals Interested in Gio Gonzalez, John Danks" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog

• "Another edition of mlb.com beat reporter Bill Ladson’s inbox, dated 12/12/11. I’m a bit behind this week but the questions are still current." - "Ladson’s inbox: 12/12/11 edition" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arm Race

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Mets: "The Mets officially have announced the signing of closer Frank Francisco, with whom they came to terms two weeks ago." - "Francisco signing official" - Adam Rubin, Mets Blog - ESPN New York

• Marlins: "Had a good Twitter discussion last week about some of the Marlins’ best and worst ever prospects." "Miami Marlins: All-time best and worst homegrown players" - Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun-Sentinel

• Braves: "The Atlanta Braves and Disney are supposed to be good friends, but apparently even friends can have disagreements once in a while." - "Braves And Disney Having A Trademark Spat" - gondeee, Talking Chop

• Phillies: "Top secret files from the Phillies front office show the depths to which the team was prepared to go to terminate Billy Wagner's retirement. With extreme prejudice." - "Alpacalypse Now: Billy Wagner and the Heart of Darkness - Part One" - WholeCamels, The Good Phight