Wire Taps: Washington Nationals At The 2011 MLB Winter Meetings - Day Three.

• There was no six-year offer to C.J. Wilson. The Nationals are focused on Mark Buehrle and if not Buehrle, Roy Oswalt. Buehrle's narrowed his list to 5 teams and the Nats are on it. SI.com's Tom Verducci's sources tell him this morning that Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish could post as early as this week, instantly becoming the best available starter. The Nats talked trades yesterday as they continued to search for the outfielder they've been looking for. MASN's Pete Kerzel said Washington's talked to Colorado though specific names weren't mentioned. There was a second or two when the Angel Pagan to SF trade was announced that some wondered if the Nats might have made a deal for the now-former Mets' center fielder. It wasn't Washington though. After two days of rumors, the Nationals have been involved in a lot of chatter, but they've yet to make a deal or sign a free agent. Will day three be the day? Can D.C. GM Mike Rizzo find the pitcher and outfielder the Nats think they need. How happy will Bryce Harper be if they don't find that outfielder? Plenty of rumors and a rumored Albert Pujols deal seems like it's about to break. Stay tuned. Here come the links, hold on tight...

• THE BIG STORY!!:

• "Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed that [Sammy] Solis is bound for a diagnostic appointment with Dr. Yocum to determine the cause and extent of the elbow soreness." - "Solis seeing doctor in L.A. to check sore elbow (updated with Rizzo confirmation)" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• NATS BEAT:

• "Depending on how the Nationals’ pursuit of landing a center fielder in a trade develops in the next few days, there’s a chance Washington will bid on Japanese outfielder Nori Aoki..." - "Nori Aoki a possible backup plan for the Nationals in center field" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "The Nationals, [Mike] Rizzo said, can’t be concerned with 'keeping up with the Joneses. We need to worry about our own business and improve ourselves.'" - "Nationals keep eye on busy rivals" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "The Nationals appear to be joined by the Rangers and Marlins as finalists for Buehrle." - "Nats like chances of landing Buehrle" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "[Mike] Rizzo feels a decision could be coming soon. 'From my meeting with [Mark Buehrle], I don't think he wants this to be a long, drawn out process,' Rizzo says." - "Nats feel they have a shot at Buehrle" - Craig Heist, WTOP.com

• "'What [Bryce Harper] did at the fall league beyond the numbers (was) the adjustment he made in his approach,' [Doug]Harris said. '(It) was pretty significant.'" - "Could batting stance change get Bryce Harper to Nationals early this season?" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "The Nationals are prepared to trade for a center fielder. But they do not feel forced to, in large part because of Werth’s experience this fall." - "Jayson Werth open to playing center field" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "'I don't think much has changed when we've talked (about) that specific player,' [Rizzo] said. 'I don't like to talk about specifics, or hypotheticals but I don't think anything has changed on that front.'" - "As Nationals talk with 'some potential fits' on the center field trade market, 'not much has changed' when it comes to the Rays and B.J. Upton" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "The Marlins were at it again last night, trying to lock up a 10-year deal with Albert Pujols worth a reported $220 million." - "Marlins' spree won't alter Nats' course" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• 'My sense is that, from the rumor mills, that he's narrowed it down to a select number of teams,' Rizzo said of Buehrle." - "Nationals Buzz: More Buehrle talks on tap, Rizzo wary of going long-term with Wilson" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com

• "'We like the interest level of our organization,' he said. 'With that said, we try and stay away from our good, young, core group of guys that we're not going to move.'" - "Rizzo unlikely to trade away big leaguers" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "A few weeks ago, general manager Mike Rizzo visited Buehrle in St. Louis, and Rizzo hopes he did enough to convince the left-hander that the Nationals are the right fit." - "Signing Mark Buehrle is Nationals' top priority" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "It's terrific that Ron Santo has finally achieved Hall of Fame status, thanks to the Golden Era committee. It's sad that it comes a year and two days after he passed away." - "Santo, at last" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com

• "[Mike] Rizzo didn’t get specific today, but he indicated the status of the [B.J.] Upton talks with the Rays and GM Andrew Friedman has stayed the same." - "For Nationals and Rays, little has changed in B.J. Upton trade talks" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "It's a better bet the Nats are gauging the availability of Seth Smith, a 29-year-old left-handed hitter who has been mostly a platoon player in Colorado..." - "Nationals Buzz: Nats, Rockies talking - but about whom?" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com

• "The Nationals are shopping for a center fielder at the Winter Meetings. How about the Orioles' Adam Jones?" - "Nats want a center fielder - what about O's Adam Jones?" - Mel Antonen, MASNSports.com

• "'Davey's mentioned before that we like well-rounded players that can drive in runs, that are offensive-orientated, versatile, flexible and allows Davey to be creative as a manager...'" - Mike Rizzo - "Sizing up the Nationals bench options" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Times

• "[Mike] Rizzo welcomes the Marlins' attempts to strengthen themselves and create a more competitive National League East." - "Nationals Buzz: Rizzo aware of, not concerned about Marlins' moves" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Once you encourage the thought of compassion in your mind, once it becomes active, then your attitude towards others changes automatically."

• NATS MINOR/WINTER LEAGUES:

• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Magallanes 3, Aragua 2 - Jesus Flores (MAG) - 3 for 4, 1 2B, 1 RBI (.358 AVG); Wilson Ramos (ARA) - 0 for 4, 2 K's - Box Score.

• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Zulia 7, Lara 6 - Carlos Maldonado (ZUL) - 1 for 4, 3 RBI's - Box Score.

• Liga de Beisbol Dominicano: Licey 5, Gigantes 2 - Jhonatan Solano (LIC) - 0 for 4; Atahualpa Severino (LIC) - 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R - Box Score.

• Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico: Carolina 4, Ponce 1 - Joe Testa (PON) - 0.1 IP - Box Score.

• "Rule 5 Preview, Part 2" - NationalsProspects.com

• NATSTOWN:

• "See the Nats hat in a jazz band, on a football field and on a security camera." - "This month in random Curly W sightings" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post

• "Things have been absolutely insane thus far but, sadly, none of these things has to do with any players that the Nats have signed." - "Winter Meetings Thus Far" - Mac, Capitol Baseball

• "There has been quite a bit of talk in the last day or so about Jayson Werth moving to center field, with Bryce Harper filling his right field spot." - "Werth in CF – Should They? Will They?" - The Nationals Review

• "Mature? Clearly Davey hasn't been trolling YouTube for Bryce Harper clips or stalking his Twitter feed for the last year." - "In other Washington Nationals Hot Stove news: The key to the CF puzzle is currently lounging poolside in the Bahamas." - Nats Enquirer

• "Checking In On The Winter Meetings: Day 2 (Video)" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• "The New York Daily News reported that the Giants and Mets discussed a Pagan-for-Torres swap in July, either as a component to the Carlos Beltran deal or as a separate trade." - "Giants trade fan favorite Torres to Mets" - Andrew Baggarly, BostonHerald.com

• "Albert Pujols is worth more to the Marlins than to the Cardinals. Sound crazy?" - "Albert Pujols, Yoenis Cespedes, Yu Darvish, more Winter Meetings" - Tom Verducci, SI.com

• "So will the Braves make a trade at this year's Winter Meetings? The rumors have been out there. The rumors have been shot down." - "To Trade Or Not To Trade" - gondeee, Talking Chop

• "The Yankees, Tigers, Diamondbacks, Marlins and Reds have all been linked to 26-year-old Athletics lefty, Gio Gonzalez, this winter. As of 3:00 in the morning Wednesday, we can add the Phillies to that list." - "Phillies Interested in Trading for Gio Gonzalez" - Corey Seidman, Phillies Nation