Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Now Linked To C.J. Wilson With Winter Meetings About To Start.

• 12/1/11 - 10:16 pm EST: Federal Baseball.com writes: "The Washington Nationals have talked to one-time Chicago White Sox' lefty Mark Buehrle. They've been tied to free agent right-hander Roy Oswalt. Does the fact the C.J. Wilson hasn't been talked about as much as the other two mean that he's the likely target for the D.C. GM Mike Rizzo's leakproof front office?" • 12/2/11 - 10:30 am EST: SI.com's Jon Heyman on the Twitter (@SI_JonHeyman) writes, "hearing the #nationals are going to push for cj wilson. they want a lefty, and apparently thats their top target." - Hi, We're done predicting the future for the day. The rumors are about to start flying. The Winter Meetings start on Monday in Dallas, TX. Prepare yourself this weekend. It's going to be a long week of rumor-mongering. Here's some Friday lunchtime links...The big news last night was that the Nats named the new manager of their top minor league affiliate. Here's the big story...

• THE BIG STORY!:

• (ed. note - "I've always enjoyed Ben Goessling's work, first with the Washington Times and then with MASN, and I was looking forward to him getting more TV time this year since I enjoyed his on-air analysis as much as his writing. Ben was nice enough to conduct a few interviews with us over the years, and his insight on the Nats and all-things baseball will be missed in the nation's capital. Thanks for the work you did, Ben. Glad you're getting to go back home. - Federal Baseball.)

• LINK: "As a reporter, I've always felt a little odd about the concept of a big, protracted goodbye on a blog - we're supposed to relay stories about the people we cover to our readers, not be the center of the story ourselves." - "Farewell and thanks, NatsTown" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• "[Tony] Beasley will replace Randy Knorr, whom the Nationals tabbed as Davey Johnson’s bench coach and potential successor." - "Tony Beasley named Class AAA Syracuse manager" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• NATS BEAT:

• "The promotion of [Tony] Beasley is a logical one after he produced strong results at Double-A with some of the Nationals' best prospects..." - "Nationals promote Double-A manager Tony Beasley to Triple-A Syracuse (UPDATED: Name Matt LeCroy Double-A manager)" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "[Tony] Beasley spent this season managing at Harrisburg, where he led the Senators to an 80-62 record and first-place finish in the Eastern League's Western division." - "Beasley to Syracuse, LeCroy to Harrisburg" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "The Nationals have been grooming a number of managers whom they think can work in the major leagues someday, and Knorr is a product of that system." - "Nationals shuffle minor league managers" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com

• "Center fielder Yoenis Cespedes wasn't the only player the Nationals were scouting in the Dominican Republic this week." - "Nationals scout Cuban prospects Jorge Soler, Armando Rivero in Dominican" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "Rizzo also watched and evaluated multiple other Cuban prospects who defected this year and are expected to become free agents by the end of December, a person with knowledge of the situation said." - "Yeonis Cespedes not the only Cuban player Mike Rizzo scouted in the Dominican Republic" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "[Garrett] Mock has signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays, offering a new opportunity to resurrect his career." - "Mock signs with Blue Jays" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "One of the great unknowns on the free-agent market is Yoenis Cespedes, a five-tool talent that has scouts drooling, and who could be the next Matt Kemp or Wily Mo Pena." - "MLB Free Agent Contract Prediction: Yoenis Cespedes" - Grant Brisbee, Baseball Nation

• "Could the Nationals surprise everyone and jump to the front of the line for one of the big-ticket free agents? Sure." - "Nationals making a list, checking it twice for winter meetings" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "Free agency could be one way Washington makes the leap to become playoff contenders for the first time in its history." - "Nationals seek final pieces at Winter Meetings" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "The Marlins appear to be serious about making a big-time splash this winter." - "Aggressive Marlins mean business" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "Moving into their new stadium, the Marlins have one of the best closers in baseball, albeit one who will have to adapt to not pitching in San Diego’s Petco Park." - "In division with Heath Bell, Jonathan Papelbon, Nationals still have bullpen advantage" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "The real source of happiness involves one’s state of mind, outlook, and motivation, and one’s level of warmheartedness towards others."

• NATS/WINTER LEAGUES:

• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Caracas 3, Caribes 2 - Henry Rodriguez (CAR) - W (1-0), 1.0 IP, 2 K's - Box Score.

• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Aragua 11, Magallanes 6 - Wilson Ramos (MAG) 2 for 5, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI; Jesus Flores (MAG) 1 for 4, 1 RBI - Box Score.

• NATSTOWN:

• "The Washington Nationals’ own racing presidents will make a special return guest appearance in The Washington Ballet production of Septime Webre’s "The Nutcracker" at the Warner Theatre on Wednesday, December 14." - "Racing presidents to appear in Washington Ballet’s 'The Nutcracker' December 14" - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!

• "The NationalsProspects.com Top 10 Pitchers" - NationalsProspects.com

• "In the final installment of the five biggest surprises on the Washington Nationals roster, we take a look at the team's MVP: Michael Morse." - "Biggest Surprises of 2011 - #1: Michael Morse" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog

• "A man in a Nats cap robbed a convenience store in Ottawa, and Garrett Mock is Canada's problem now." - "A man in a Nats cap robs convenience store in Canada. Also, Garrett Mock signs with Blue Jays" - Nats Enquirer

• "Danny Espinosa - Age 24 - MLB Service Time 1.033 years. How he became a Nat: Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2008 First Year Player Draft" - "A Few Good Men: 35 - Espinosa" - Mac, Capitol Baseball

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Mets: "On Thursday evening, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson spent a good portion of his evening fielding questions from the blogs..." - "Transcript of Sandy Alderson's Conference Call with Bloggers" - Chris McShane, Amazin' Avenue

• Phillies: "In seasons past, this is where the Phils set in motion blockbuster deals to acquire Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee." - "Phils have history of big splashes at Meetings" - Todd Zolecki, phillies.com: News

• Marlins: "Had you told me before this offseason began the Marlins would give a closer three years and $27 million guaranteed, I would have laughed." - "Miami Marlins spend big, but some say not smart, on closer Heath Bell" – Juan C. Rodriguez, Florida Sun-Sentinel

• Braves: "There was a time when the Braves were the only perennial spenders in the National League East." - "NL East Getting Crowded, Expensive" - gondee, Talking Chop\