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We understand, sort of, not really, that not everyone can spend their offseason waiting around for some news on the Washington Nationals to break. So if you find yourself wondering what you missed in the last week, catch up every Monday with The Starting Nine. Nine topics/stories that will keep you in the know as far as what's going on with the nation's capital's Nats. We're also including "The Rotation" below, the Top 5 Stories from the last week on Federal Baseball...
1. Nats' 3B Coach Search Continues:
"The Nationals could stay in-house for the job. They could hire Bobby Henley, who has been Minor League field coordinator for the organization the last four seasons." - "No replacement named yet for departed Nationals third-base coach Trent Jewett" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
2. Strasburg's Shy? You Don't Say:
"Some in the Nationals' organization privately worry Strasburg's shyness could keep him from reaching his full potential, though Rizzo believes he can overcome it." - "The Nationals are trying to rekindle 2012's magic" - John Perrotto, SportsOnEarth.com
#Nationals' Top Prospect Lucas Giolito On @MLBNetworkRadio's Minors And Majors w/ @granthpaulsen #Nats http://t.co/mz9zV3xo0z
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) November 18, 2013
3. City of Palms Park Woos Nats:
"Whether a deal with the Washington Nationals can be struck, however, remains to be seen..." - "Next step for City of Palms Park: Gentrification?" - Thomas Himes, The News-Press
4. That Bryce Harper Contract Thing You've Been Hearing About:
"'We reached an agreement with MLB and the MLBPA memorializing that Bryce only signed with the Nationals on the condition that his rights were preserved,' Boras said." - "Nationals all-star Bryce Harper’s unique contract could lead to a grievance hearing" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post
5. Spin Williams Is A Pitching Guru:
"Add another name to the list of left-handed relievers the Nationals are targeting." - "Nationals have interest in Oliver Perez" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post
6. Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama):
Through education we have to lead people to see that concern for others is actually in their own interest.
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) December 12, 2012
7. AFL Championship Ends With Souza At The Plate; Can We Get A Review Of That Strike Call?:
#Nationals fans: watch for @StevenSouzaJR who hit .357/.426/.476 this fall with 10 steals. There's a lot to like about his game.
— Steve Berthiaume (@BertDbacks) November 16, 2013
"As home-plate umpire A.J. Johnson called Steven Souza out on strikes for the final out of Saturday's Arizona Fall League Championship Game, the Saguaros converged in the middle of the diamond." - "Stellar pitching helps Surprise top Mesa for AFL title" - Teddy Cahill, MLB.com: News
#Nationals Steven Souza Jr. has really played under the radar this fall. He hit .357 but only got 42 at-bats-half the number of most. Solid.
— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) November 16, 2013
"On the pitching side of things, the Nats prospects taking the mound for Mesa have done fine work." - "Nationals Pastime: An update on Nats prospects in the Arizona Fall League" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
8. Doubledays' Home Gets New Carpet:
"The biggest news now is the replacement of the playing surface at Falcon Park. We were lucky enough to receive a grant from New York state to cover the costs of a new playing field." - "Doubledays Corner: Falcon Park field gets major makeover" - David Daum, The Auburn Citizen
9. Random Nats Links:
"Erik Davis was called up to the Nationals twice – in June and September – and made a minor impact on the season as a whole." - "Washington Nationals roster review: Erik Davis" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider
Scott Boras On #Nationals' Starter Stephen Strasburg's Elbow Surgery On @MLBNetworkRadio #Nats http://t.co/Ru0iE4CAGe
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) November 15, 2013
"Walters played a full season of winter ball in Puerto Rico last year, and told me that he felt a bit worn down going into spring training in February." -"Nationals Pastime: Keeping track of Walters, Brown and Rosenbaum down in Venezula" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
The Rotation:
- Nationals And Bryce Harper Could End Up In Grievance Hearing
- Scott Boras On Nationals' Starter Stephen Strasburg's Elbow Surgery
- Nationals' Prospects Sammy Solis And Matt Purke Finish Strong In Arizona Fall League
- Nationals "Reluctant" To Part With Top Pick In 2014 MLB Draft
- Nationals' Prospect Steven Souza, Jr. 1 For 4 In Loss In AFL Championship Game