:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/2061745/GYI0063773487.jpg)
• The Washington Nationals didn't find the starter or center fielder they wanted at the Winter Meetings, but there's still a few months til pitchers and catchers report (2/19) for them to wheel, deal or possibly spend some to improve the roster. They have until next Wednesday to decide if they'll enter the bidding process for Yu Darvish. There are a few links today that touch on the idea of getting an extension with the Nationals' FOF Ryan Zimmerman done and one link to an article in which a writer says that there's a new FOF in town. It was a long week in which a lot of money was thrown around. It's time to take a look back and then move forward. The Winter-Meetings-ending link collection starts... RIGHT NOW!!!...
• THE BIG STORY:
• Twitter: @NationalsPR: "Nationals Spring Training: Pitchers/Catchers (2/19), Position Players (2/23), 1st full workout (2/25)."
• NATS BEAT:
• "Rizzo would not divulge whether the Nationals planned to enter the bidding on Darvish, but even his refusal to comment suggested they probably will." - "Yu Darvish will be posted, and the Nationals are interested" - Adam KIlgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "[Yu] Darvish is considered a rare talent. Better, many say without question, than Daisuke Matzusaka was before joining the Red Sox..." - "Japanese standout pitcher Yu Darvish may be an expensive alternative for Nationals" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "The Nationals have been scouting Darvish for several years and have a strong opinion of him, so it's expected they will submit some kind of bid." - "Darvish posted, will Nats submit bid?" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "The Nationals have maintained interest in Darvish, and general manager Mike Rizzo has scouted the strikeout artist in person in his homeland." - "Rizzo coy on whether Nationals will bid for Yu Darvish" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "Buehrle was certainly more comfortable with the four-year deal as opposed to the three years the Nationals were offering at a reported price of around $40 million." - "Rizzo: No Buehrle, no problem" - Craig Heist, WTOP.com
• "Because of Desmond's progress at the leadoff spot, Rizzo doesn't feel there is a rush to acquire a leadoff hitter, which was one of the goals before the Winter Meetings began." - "Nationals comfortable with Ian Desmond leading off" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "Nationals bench coach Randy Knorr did not have first baseman Tyler Moore much last year, but realizes what an asset the Mississippi State star can be and why he resides on the 40-man." - "Would Nats ever consider Moore or Marrero in a utility role?" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "Despite any outside pressure to get something done, they never wanted to feel forced into making a move they didn't believe was right for them." - "Wrapping up the Winter Meetings" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "For four days a year, the entire baseball world is in one place. Executives from all 30 teams are under one roof." - "The 2011 winter meetings: that's a wrap" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "[Albert] Pujols is a first baseman by trade, and will surely start at first for the Halos. He will also DH on occasion, but the point is, incumbent first baseman Mark Trumbo now finds himself a spare part." - "Fallout from Angels' spree will continue" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com
• "[Ryan] Zimmerman wants to stay in D.C. Because he's considered the face of the franchise - well, until Stephen Strasburg and/or Bryce Harper get themselves established." - "Big contracts put Zimmerman in line for huge payday" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "'You can only protect so many players,' General Manager Mike Rizzo said. 'We felt like we had enough depth to absorb" losing the players.'" - "Nationals lose Erik Komatsu, Brad Meyers in Rule 5 draft" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "Erik Komatsu, 24, was the Cardinals' lone selection in the major-league portion of the annual draft that allows major-league teams to pluck unprotected players..." - "Cards pick up OF Komatsu in Rule 5 draft" - Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
• "'We feel that with the crop of guys that we have moving up, they would push Komatsu, and we felt we had enough depth to leave him exposed,' Rizzo said." - "Nationals gain two, lose two in Rule 5 Draft" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "'We were prepared for the possibility that he would be (picked),' Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said of Komatsu.'" - "Nats don't make a pick, but lose Komatsu, Meyers in Rule 5 draft (updated with Rizzo quotes)" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "Washington Nationals: Stephen Strasburg - As a rookie pitcher back in 2010, Strasburg was the biggest draw in the game." - "MLB's franchise faces" - Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
• "The Nationals were expecting to lose more than just Meyers, knowing they're very deep in starting pitching and had prepared for the possibility that they'd lose Komatsu as well..." - "Nationals lose Komatsu, Meyers in Rule 5 draft" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• '[Brad Meyers] could earn a roster spot as the long man in the bullpen, allowing Hector Noesi to concentrate on starting..." - "Yankees Take Two Relievers in Rule 5 Draft" - David Waldstein, NYTimes.com
• "And if you're the Nationals or Ryan Zimmerman, you hopefully paid close attention to this all this." - "Nats, Zim can learn from Pujols drama" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "The Nationals may be the next best bet to break the bank on Fielder, the way they did Jayson Werth last winter, but they owe Adam LaRoche $9 million and would be better off not using Mike Morse in the outfield too much, or at all." - "Rumor mill continues" - Jason A. Churchill, Prospect Insider
• "Unfinished business: The Nationals are still looking for a veteran starting pitcher, center fielder and a few bench players. Rizzo believes he laid the groundwork to get what he wants." - "Nationals feel productive despite lack of deals" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "It's become increasingly clear that the Nationals' hopes of trading to fill their twin vacancies for a center fielder and leadoff hitter are coupled with their ability to get another pitcher." - "Nats GM Rizzo upbeat as Winter Meetings end" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "So the Angels did the unthinkable, emerging within the past 48 hours or so with a stealth bid that stole Pujols away from the Cardinals..." - "Albert Pujols: Angels shock baseball with 10-year, $250 million deal" - Dave Sheinin, Baseball Insider - The Washington Post
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama):"I am a man of religion, but religion alone cannot answer all our problems."
• NATS MINOR/WINTER LEAGUE UPDATES:
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Aragua 5, Lara 1 - Wilson Ramos (ARA) - 1 for 5, 1 R - Box Score.
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Magallanes 2, Caribes 1 - Jesus Flores (MAG) - 1 for 3, 1 R - Box Score.
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Zulia 8, Caracas 1 - Josh WIlkie (CAR) - 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 K - Box Score.
• Liga de Beisbol Dominicano: Escogido 3, Licey 0 - Jhonatan Solano (LIC) - 1 for 4 - Box Score.
• "Rule 5 Draft Results" - NationalsProspects.com
• "The 2012 NationalsProspects.com Watchlist" - NationalsProspects.com
• NATSTOWN:
• "Winter meetings are kicking off; I’m expecting a ton of 'what-if; trade questions." - "Ask Boswell 12/5/11 edition" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arm Race
• "Plan A dashed, no Plan B, on to Plan Yu" - Nats Enquirer
• "A fellow blogger (For the Cubs at View from the Bleachers) asked about [Brad] Meyers earlier, so I got a little thing ready about him..." - "Rule V losses" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• "It’s easy to see why both the Nationals and Marlins were so covetous of Buehrle, 32, who has spent his entire professional life with the Chicago White Sox since being drafted in 1998." - "Nats Whiff On Buehrle; Move On to Oswalt" - Samuel Chamberlain, District Sports Page
• "From the beginning, the Nationals weren't shy about making Mark Buehrle their top target, despite the non-DC media's attempt to make CJ Wilson their #1 guy." - "Winter Meetings Disappointing For Nationals So Far" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog
• "Nats Talk On The Go: Episode 3" - Capitol Baseball
"In this week's episode of Nats Talk On The Go, The Nats Blog's Joe Drugan and Capitol Baseball's Craig MacHenry talk about the Washington Nationals and Winter Meetings." -
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Braves: "It was actually pretty interesting for us hardcore baseball fans that the Braves selected someone in the Rule 5 draft." - "Analysis Of Braves Rule 5 Selection Robert Fish" - gondeee, Talking Chop
• Mets: "For the right price, just about any player on the Mets’ roster is available. Just give general manager Sandy Alderson a call." - "Sandy Alderson, Mets general manager, willing to hear many different trade proposals" - MIke Puma, NYPOST.com
• Marlins: "The Marlins returned home from baseball’s winter meetings on 'Air Loria,' owner Jeffrey Loria’s private plane..." - "Pujols, Wilson say no; Miami Marlins still ‘cooking’" - Clark Spencer, MiamiHerald.com
• Phillies: "With Pujols signed, Lozano will now also have more time to negotiate with the Phillies or any other team that might be interested in shortstop Jimmy Rollins." - "Inside the Phillies: Pujols deal helps Phillies" - Bob Brookover, Philadelphia Inquirer