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2013 MLB Winter Meetings Day One: Nationals Rumors, Links, Tweets

Day one of the 2013 MLB Winter Meetings at Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, was rumor-filled for the Washington Nationals, who came up in several discussions on Monday. Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, Danny Espinosa, Jeff Baker? And More...

By Patrick Reddington
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

According to the rumors early on the first day of the 2013 MLB Winter Meetings at Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, the Washington Nationals were interested in veteran backstop John Buck as a backup to no.1 catcher Wilson Ramos. Nats' GM Mike Rizzo later said the Nationals were confident that Ramos could stay healthy and a deal for a catcher if something went wrong was more likely. Rizzo talked up Danny Espinosa as a backup infielder, even at third. Reports from Orlando said the Nats were shopping the infielder. The Nats expressed interest in Jeff Baker? The Nationals were after Eric O'Flaherty and then they weren't... though, that might have actually been a fluid situation evolving rather than a humorous contradictory report. Then there was the talk of the Chicago Cubs' interest in Nats' relievers Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard. Here are all the links, rumors and tweets that are fit to print from the first day of the 2013 MLB Winter Meetings... starting... RIGHT NOW!!!:

• THE BIG STORY!!!:

• "Rizzo said this afternoon he envisions Danny Espinosa, whose horrendous offensive 2013 season earned him a demotion to Class AAA Syracuse in early June, as the Nationals’ utility infielder." - "Mike Rizzo expects Danny Espinosa to be the Nationals’ backup infielder" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• NATS BEAT:

• Espinosa Stories -

- "One of the more fascinating subplots of spring training early next year will be the rehabilitation of Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa." - "MLB Winter Meetings: Can Danny Espinosa play third base, too?" - Brian McNally, Washington Times

- ""If the season began today, Espinosa likely would make the club over Zach Walters and back up Desmond, Zimmerman and second baseman Anthony Rendon." - "Mike Rizzo talks up Danny Espinosa amid Winter Meetings trade rumors" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

- "Rizzo said this afternoon he envisions Danny Espinosa, whose horrendous offensive 2013 season earned him a demotion to Class AAA Syracuse in early June, as the Nationals’ utility infielder." - "Mike Rizzo expects Danny Espinosa to be the Nationals’ backup infielder" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• Cubs Interested In Storen/Clippard -

- "According to a baseball source, 'a lot of teams' have asked about the Nationals' setup men -- Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen..." - "Teams showing interest in Nationals' Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

- "The Chicago Cubs have a closer opening and have initial interest in trading for either Drew Storen or Tyler Clippard to fill it..." - "Cubs could try to trade for Drew Storen or Tyler Clippard" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• Nats' Left-Handed Reliever Search Stories -

- "I've heard that Boone Logan, a lefty who has spent the last four years with the Yankees, is hoping to land a job as a true set-up guy, as compared to a lefty specialist..." - "Nationals Pastime: A couple of interesting updates on the lefties, plus a cool note" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

- "Rizzo wouldn’t go into specific detail on O’Flaherty except to say 'we’ve got all the medical reports on him.'" - "Nationals GM Mike Rizzo not in a rush to acquire left-handed reliever" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

- "Washington also has made little secret of its desire to add at least one left-handed reliever, and Detwiler could be an option if Rizzo can't fill the need through free agency or the trade market." - "Ross Detwiler wants to start for Nationals, but knows decision not his" - Andrew Simon, nationals.com: News

- "As far as the search for a lefty reliever goes, Rizzo said the Nats are staying open-minded when it comes to acquiring a reliever via either free agency or a trade." - "Nationals Pastime: Rizzo on left-handed reliever search, Nats' bench roles" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• Nationals' Catcher Chatter -

- "The best bet for Washington is to have Ramos catch around 125 games next season so this doesn’t become an issue." - "MLB Winter Meetings: The Nats' plan if Wilson Ramos can't stay healthy" - Brian McNally, Washington Times

- "'I don’t think he needs any more regular time off than any other front-line, full-time catcher,' Rizzo said of Ramos." - "Mike Rizzo thinks Wilson Ramos can catch 125+ games in 2014" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• Nate McLouth Stories -

- "When he is in the game for Washington, McLouth is expected to hit near the top of the batting order." - "Nationals GM Mike Rizzo likes Nate McLouth's skill set, experience" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

- "Rizzo wanted someone versatile enough to play all three positions well, a hitter with enough pop to hit the occasional home run..." - "Nationals Buzz: Rizzo on McLouth: 'We'll find ample at-bats'" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com

- "Last season, Tyler Moore, a natural first baseman, made 30 starts in the outfield and posted a .607 OPS, while Roger Bernadina pitched in with 28 starts and had a measly .517 OPS before being cut." - "Mike Rizzo on Nate McLouth and the Nationals’ bench" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• Other Nationals Links And Stuff -

- "We're all aware of Rizzo's belief that Espinosa will become a quality major league player." - "Nationals Pastime: Evaluating some trade rumors, plus Rizzo on extensions for Desmond, Zimmermann" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

- "The slick-fielding center fielder once again has been the subject of trade rumors, something he has found difficult to ignore." - "Nationals outfielder Denard Span surprised, disappointed to hear trade rumors" - Andrew Simon, nationals.com: News

- "The Washington Nationals shaped this winter with a contract hammered out, in part, 22 months ago at a coffee shop in Viera, Fla." - "Washington Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman’s contract extension in February 2012 made him happy, but how much would he be worth now?" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post

- "I asked Fitt to give me his No. 11 prospect, who moved up to No. 10 because of the Ray trade. Matt Purke was his selection." - "No. 10 Nats prospect: Matt Purke" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

- "From what I’ve gathered, Doug is a Grade-A individual who just so happens to be 6-foot-8 and throw a heavy 89-90 mph sinker, from an arm angle that gives opposing batters fits." - "From the Desk of Mark D. Lerner: Live from the Winter Meetings" - Mark D. Lerner, Curly W Live

- "The Nationals entered the winter with a mandate to beef up their bench. Baker would provide an upgrade, at least based on track record, over Tyler Moore." - "Nationals show interest in Jeff Baker" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "Only injuries can slow Zimmermann. The Tommy John veteran tied for the NL lead in wins (19) and set a career-high in strikeouts (161)..." - "NL Top Players: No. 36 Jordan Zimmermann" - Dennis Lin, UTSanDiego.com

• "The Chairman led the United Service Organization CJCS holiday troop visit included: Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche..." - "CJCS leads USO visit to Bagram" - Tech. Sgt. Rob Hazelett, DVIDS

• "Seeking bullpen help, the Cubs have expressed interest in Washington Nationals right-hander Drew Storen, with a less likely option, Tyler Clippard, also mentioned in conversations. The Nats are looking at Cubs left-hander James Russell." - "Cubs actively dangle Jeff Samardzija on first day of winter meetings" - Gordon Wittenmyer, Chicago Sun-Times

• "Reports on Monday indicated the Cubs might be interested in relievers Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard of the Washington Nationals." - "Cubs bullpen: 'One of our biggest regrets'" - Jesse Rogers, Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

• "On paper, it looks like the 2014 Detroit Tigers are quite a bit worse than the 2013 version that lost in the American League Championship Series." - "Tigers better off after trades, ESPN's Bowden says" - Gannett, Michigan, Battle Creek Enquirer | battlecreekenquirer.com

• "The Rangers have some interest in Morse, almost as a backup plan should things fall through with other options (as first reported by Joel Sherman of The New York Post)." - "Hot Stove Talk: Michael Morse" - Richard Durrett, Dallas Texas Rangers Blog - ESPN Dallas

• "Today several baseball teams, including the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals own stakes in prosperous RSNs." - "Baseball's Hall Of Fame Vote Snubs Wealth Creators Steinbrenner And Miller" - Mike Ozanian, Forbes

• "It already has been a busy offseason for the Washington Nationals, who landed righthander Doug Fister in a deal with the Detroit Tigers and added outfield depth by signing Nate McLouth." - "Nats seek lefty reliever" - Doug Mittler, MLB Rumors Blog - ESPN

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Phillies: "The one constant in nearly every one of their messages: Roy Halladay was the best starting pitcher of his era." - "Phillies Notebook: Halladay had a Hall of a career" - Ryan Lawrence, Philadelphia Daily News

• Mets: "Alderson was said to have met with free agent Bartolo Colon’s reps, though the right-hander could command a heftier one-year contract than the Mets might be willing to offer." - "MLB: Long deals not in Mets' plans" - Pete Caldera, NorthJersey.com

• Marlins: "With the signing of first baseman Garrett Jones on Monday, the Marlins are actively shopping first baseman Logan Morrison at the Winter Meetings." - "Teams interested, but Logan Morrison trade not imminent for Marlins" - Joe Frisaro, marlins.com: News

• Braves: "Eric O'Flaherty could be close to returning to the Braves, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark." - "Braves to re-sign Eric O'Flaherty?" - Scott Coleman, Talking Chop

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