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• So...about that rumored six-year offer to C.J. Wilson? It was fun while it lasted, but the rumor which came up last night after a tweet by MLB Network Radio host Jim Duquette was shot down by the Nationals within an hour. That was fun though, right? Anyway, the Nats are still said to be more interested in 32-year-old lefty Mark Buehrle who'll likely command a shorter, less expensive deal than the 31-year-old Wilson. Of course, 14 or so teams are rumored to be interested in Buehrle. If he's taken off the market will the Nats go for Wilson, or Roy Oswalt, or will they listen to Skipper Davey Johnson who says he likes the rotation Washington has now? The CF search? There was talk again last night about the possibility of Jayson Werth shifting to center if the Nats can't find an outfielder, opening up the possibility of Bryce Harper making the Opening Day roster? The Nats have talked about that possibility since October, guess folks haven't been reading news from the Nationals beat til now...LINKS and lots of 'em...RIGHT NOW!!!
• THE BIG STORY:
• "Washington Nationals pitching prospect Sammy Solis has visited with renowned orthopedic surgeon Lewis Yocum and team doctor Wiemi Douoguih in recent weeks after experiencing elbow discomfort in the Arizona Fall League." - "Nationals concerned about Solis' elbow" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• NATS BEAT:
• "In Davey Johnson's press conference Monday, he said, 'I talked to Jayson last season. He loves center field.'" - "Is Jayson Werth A Center Fielder?" - Rob Neyer, Baseball Nation
• "[Mark] Buehrle remains the Nationals’ top target, and acquiring him would likely require granting a no-trade clause." - "Mike Rizzo open to offering no-trade clauses, and more" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• '"We know we have in-house candidates with Harper and several others that could fill that bill,' Rizzo said. 'Depending on if we deem Harp ready, when he's ready goes into the equation.'" - "Rizzo on no-trade clauses, Werth in CF" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "If the Nationals make good on trying to find another centerfielder, then the club could keep Jayson Werth in right field. If they play Werth in center, it could open up a spot for [Bryce] Harper." - "Will Bryce Harper make the 2012 Nationals?" - Craig Heist, WTOP.com
• "Sometimes, it's a legitimate effort to get the desired player, and Nats general manager Mike Rizzo has long coveted [C.J.] Wilson, a converted reliever who has become a stalwart starter..." - "Dueling reports: Have Nats offered sixth year to Wilson?" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "'Marrero was a guy that could give us insurance with LaRoche,' Johnson said. 'His injury kind of left us another man short, as far as I’m concerned.'" - "Adam LaRoche is ‘100 percent,’ but the Nationals want insurance at first base" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "The team continues to have interest in signing Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes or dealing for a player such as B.J. Upton of the Rays or Denard Span of the Twins." - "Nationals could open '12 with Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper in OF" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "'I like him. Big, strong, hard thrower. Actually throws a lot like Americans - you know, big, awful hard stuff. He's got good command. That's going to be an expensive deal, too, right there, but I do like him,'" - Davey Johnson on Yu Darvish - "Davey Johnson on rotation, Marrero, DeRosa, Darvish, Detwiler" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "'You know, I really like my staff,' the [Davey Johnson] said yesterday during his media session. 'I like it as it is right now.'" - "Re-evaluating the rotation" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "The Nationals have been somewhat non-committal when it comes to Bryce Harper and whether or not he'll have a legitimate shot to make the major league team out of spring training in 2012." - "Nationals manager Davey Johnson feels Bryce Harper's ready to compete for MLB team" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'Mike didn’t panic in July,'when the Nationals nearly traded for a center fielder, one Nationals official said. 'And he’s not going to panic now."" - "Nationals consider potential trade targets for center field" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "Rizzo has stated in no uncertain terms he prefers all prospects play at every level of the minors before earning their first call-up." - "Who decides if Harper makes club?" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "How optimistic is manager Davey Johnson when it comes to the Nationals? He feels they are two players away from being 'a heck of a team.'" - "Nationals manager Davey Johnson feels club is on verge of contending" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "There are a list of prospects other teams might ask for if the Nationals want to trade for every day players." - "Marlins' 'Reyes'-ing the bar in the NL East?" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "[Chris] Marrero is expected to be out until about the All-Star break, Johnson said, and his loss costs the Nationals a right-handed bat off the bench." - "Quick hits with Davey: Adam LaRoche, Chris Marrero, Mark DeRosa and more" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "[Davey] Johnson wants to give Harper a chance to make the team, in part, because his left-handed bat would fit well into the Nationals’ lineup." - "Bryce Harper will compete for a major league roster spot, Davey Johnson says" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "[Todd] Coffey, 31, hopes to have a conversation with Nats general manager Mike Rizzo during the Winter Meetings this week to see where he stands with the club." - "Coffey unsure if he'll return to Nationals" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "Don't be too worried by their lack of activity yesterday - general manager Mike Rizzo spoke with two agents and met with two clubs Monday on the first day of the meetings." - "Off to the lobby, in search of Nats news" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "The Nationals have made it clear that Buehrle is one of their top priorities. Buehrle’s contract demands have not been disclosed..." - "Buehrle tops Nationals' wish list for starting pitchers" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "Despite reports that the Nationals offered left-hander C.J. Wilson a six-year deal, a baseball source said the club did nothing of the sort. Wilson is not on Washington's radar." - "Nationals still trying to add veteran to rotation" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "It is my hope that the twenty-first century will be a century when a more caring, responsible, and compassionate humanity will emerge."
• NATS MINOR/WINTER LEAGUES:
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Caracas 13, Caribes 3 - Josh WIlkie (CAR) - 2.0 IP, 2 K's - Box Score.
• "Rule 5 Preview, Part 1" - NationalsProspects.com
• NATSTOWN:
• "I mean, come on, man. Jason Worth, Strausberg, and Zimmerman all in one Tweet? It's almost like he did it on purpose. Grooved one, even." - "In other Washington Nationals Hot Stove news: Mike Bacsik can't spell worth ****." - NatsEnquirer
• "Tyler Clippard - Age 26 - Arbitration eligible for the first time in 2012. How he became a Nat: Acquired via trade in December 2007 from the Yankees for Jonathan Albaladejo." - "A Few Good Men: 37 - Clippard" - Mac, Capitol Baseball
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Marlins: "No more little low-budget Marlins. Miami's team hopes to become baseball's Big Fish." - "Something's fishy _ Marlins become big players" - Ronald Blum, MiamiHerald.com
• Mets: "What are the Mets going to do with all the money saved?" - "Somers’ Monologue: What Will Mets Do With All That Money Saved?" - CBS New York
• Braves: "Sources say that 8-10 teams have shown real interest in Jurrjens, while 'half the teams in baseball' have talked to the Braves about Prado, most with the idea of playing him at second base." - "Latest on Jurrjens and Prado, and other notes" - Danny Knobler, CBSSports.com
• Phillies: "Even if Jimmy Rollins ends up leaving Philadelphia, it is hard to envision the Phillies replacing him with a 22-year-old prospect." - "Phillies Notebook: Galvis could be Phillies shortstop of future" - David Murphy, Philadelphia Daily News