• We haven't done a link post in a while, simply because everyone's resting up for the Spring, meaning there hasn't been enough content to fill out a post full of Nats-related news/links every day. The Washington Nationals agreeing on an extension with Gio Gonzalez gave NatsTown some real news to discuss for the first time in a while. Other than that it's been an endless succession of Prince Fielder rumors. Will he come to Washington? Go to Texas? Settle for Seattle? Who knows? Hopefully that story wraps itself up this week. No guarantees though. This weekend we took another look at what role Stephen Lombardozzi might play this year. Here's what the rest of NatsTown was talking about this weekend...
• THE BIG STORY!!!:
• "All of this is done with a simple goal in mind: Build a franchise that not only has a chance to win right now but will continue to have a chance to win for several more years." - "Locking up the future" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• NATS BEAT:
• "As John Kruk famously said years ago, 'I ain't no athlete, lady, I'm a baseball player.'" - "A weighty question" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com
• "In the 23 days since the Washington Nationals acquired left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez, his new team has welcomed him with open arms." - "Nationals, Gio Gonzalez agree on 5-year extension" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'They mean business,' Gonzalez said about the Nationals. 'They want to win. They feel like I'm a good addition to the team...'" - "Nationals extend Gio Gonzalez's contract through 2016 season" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "The Nationals reached their long-term deal with Gonzalez less than a month after they sent four prospects to the Oakland A’s to acquire him." - "Gio Gonzalez agrees to contract extension with Nationals through 2016" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "[Gio] Gonzalez, acquired along with a minor league pitcher for four top farm prospects, was already under team control through 2015 and this would have been his first arbitration-eligible season." - "Nationals sign Gonzalez to extension through 2016 (updated)" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• "The extension also means the Nationals will officially have Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and [Gio] Gonzalez atop their rotation and under team control through the 2015 season." - "Nationals agree to contract extension with Gio Gonzalez through 2016" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "An industry source believes that the Nationals want to give Fielder a six- or seven-year deal. The length of the contract was also a problem when the Nationals were trying to sign left-hander Mark Buehrle." - "Nationals still in running to land free-agent Prince Fielder" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "The Rangers and Marlins seem to be the biggest competition for Fielder's services at this point, but neither may be in on the slugger for the long haul." - "Nationals, Fielder still talking about deal" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "The key to human happiness lies within our own state of mind, and so too do the primary obstacles to that happiness."
• NATS MINOR/WINTER LEAGUES:
• "Tony Beasley, who guided the Double-A Harrisburg Senators in 2011, takes over the reins as manager of the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs for 2012..." - "Beasley ready for unique challenge as Triple-A skipper" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Aragua 5, Caribes 3 - Wilson Ramos (ARA) - 2 for 4, 1 R - Box Score.
• Liga de Beisbol Dominicano: Aguilas 3, Escogido 2 - Yoenis Cespedes (AGU) - 0 for 4 - Box Score.
• Liga de Beisbol Dominicano: Licey 3, Gigantes 2 - Jhonatan Solano (LIC) - 1 for 2, 1 RBI - Box Score.
• "Nine Minor-Leaguers Released" - NationalsProspects.com
• NATSTOWN:
• "If the Nationals end up holding on to Gonzalez through the 7-years that this contract would run, it would take Gio from his age 26 season through to his age 32 season..." - "Nat-Gio Extended Edition" - Mac, Capitol Baseball
• "There’s a perception that in 2012 the Nats are finally going to field a competitive team and that if they can sign Prince Fielder, they’ll be real contenders." - "On the cusp" - Nat Anacostia, Nats Noodles
• "It’s more than reasonable to argue that Scott Boras would rather have Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup than not have him there, despite the fact that his agent works for a rival agency." - "Why Boras Doesn't Want To Chase Ryan Zimmerman Out Of Town" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog
• "Ross Detwiler has been one of the more curious cases for the Nats pitching staff in recent years." - "Nats 2011 Grades: Ross Detwiler" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Mets: "R.A. Dickey has reached the crest of Mt. Kilimanjaro: We had done it! We gave hugs and high-fives..." - Eric Simon, Amazin' Avenue
• Phillies: "After the 2010 season, when the Phillies and former first base coach Davey Lopes couldn’t agree on a salary, I asked the question, 'How do you replace Davey Lopes?'" - "Bringing Back the Running Game" - Bill Baer, Crashburn Alley
• Marlins: "Hoping to attend games at the new Miami Marlins stadium in Little Havana, but would rather not drive to avoid traffic logjams?" - "Transit plans stalled to ease traffic flow to new Miami Marlins ballpark" - Charles Rabin and Andres Viglucci, MiamiHerald.com
• Braves: "These two most recent seasons -- by the Braves' Freddie Freeman and the Royals' Eric Hosmer -- are significant and notable for more than just the rare level of performance at such a young age..." - "Freddie Freeman and Eric Hosmer enjoy historic 'first' seasons" - Roger Schlueter, braves.com: News