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Wire Taps: Nationals' Deal With Triple-A Syracuse; Nats' Prospect Chatter

The Washington Nationals Hot Stove chatter has died down some, but there's plenty of talk about the Nats' new agreement with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. There's also a lot of Nationals' prospect chatter out there this morning and some discussion of the Nats' bullpen make-up...

By Patrick Reddington

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Rob Carr

The Nationals on Wednesday announced their first four-year agreement with a minor league affiliate, the Triple-A Chiefs and reports from Syracuse say the International League franchise pulled out all the stops to impress the brass from Washington that traveled to upstate New York for the official press conference. That was probably the biggest news in NatsTown yesterday. There was some prospect chatter around the internet. There was some discussion here at FBB and elswhere about the make-up of the back of the 2014 bullpen. Nothing as entertaining out there as the interview with Steve McCatty we featured yesterday, but there's some news out there that makes for good lunchtime reading. Links and lots of them, starting... RIGHT NOW!!!:

• THE BIG STORY!!!:

• "The mayor was there, and so was a state senator. Media types of all manner of domains (newspaper, website, television, radio) were in the room." - "The Chiefs and Nationals, who know how to put on a show, agree to partner up through 2018" - Bud Poliquin, syracuse.com

• NATS BEAT:

• "As expected, the Nationals formally announced a four-year extension with the Syracuse Chiefs to house their Class AAA affiliate." - "Nationals extend agreement with Syracuse Chiefs through 2018" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• "The Syracuse Chiefs are in need of some stability, and the Washington Nationals are giving it to them." - "Syracuse Chiefs and Washington Nationals extend affiliation deal for four seasons" - Lindsay Kramer, syracuse.com


• "The Nationals current pact with Syracuse runs through the 2014 season. The longer deal came at the request of team president Bill Dutch." - "Washington Nationals lock into long-term future with Syracuse Chiefs with four-year extension (video)" - Lindsay Kramer, syracuse.com

• "This new contract extension, a four-year agreement, is the first long-term deal the Nationals have made with any of their minor-league affiliates..." - "Washington Nationals announce 4-year deal with Class AAA Syracuse" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "Rather than risk losing Syracuse as a partner, the Nats decided to lock up a longer-term deal with an affiliate with which it has a solid working relationship." - "Nationals Pastime: Nats agree to four-year extension with Triple-A Syracuse" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "The Chiefs open the 2014 season on Thursday, April 3rd at 2 P.M. against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders." - "Chiefs sign four-year extension with Nationals" - Syracuse Chiefs News

• "I would have to say that Tanner Roark is the favorite entering Spring Training because of the success he had during the last two months of the 2013 season." - "Inbox: Are Washington Nationals done making offseason moves?" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News


• "If Williams believes he needs two lefties in his pen, Cedeno would be an obvious choice to join Blevins." - "Washington Nationals must sort out bullpen roles for 2014" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Some might be hesitant to pick the Nats as the team to beat in the division after what happened last season." - "Nationals Pastime: Are the Nats the team to beat in the NL East?" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama):

• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "The Nationals are currently the best bet to land Downs. The club was reportedly deciding between him and Howell as lefty specialists..." - "State of play: Free agent relief pitchers" - Nathan Aderhold, SBNation.com

• "The tale of the National League East race in 2013 was told early on, maybe in an early April showdown in Washington." - "Nationals look stronger than Braves" - David Schoenfield, SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

• "Rosenthal reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies, and to a lesser extent the Washington Nationals, also have interest in Young." - "Hunt for first baseman may reach Young" - Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

• NATSTOWN/MINORS:

• "Fitt said the Nationals made a crafty move to go for him in the 2013 draft and have done a nice job of simplifying things for him since his arrival." - "No. 7 Nats prospect: Jake Johansen" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "Nationals Extend PDC With Syracuse Through 2018 Season" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com

• "Get to Know a Staff: Fister’s not a Four and Strasburg’s not a One" - courtswift, Nationals 101

• "The 2014 NationalsProspects.com Watchlist" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com

• "Even in an offseason that has included a major league managerial change, the Nationals have shown they value stability." - "Promotions Abound For Nationals" - Lacy Lusk, BaseballAmerica.com

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Phillies: "The Phillies were never in the market for a mid-level starting pitcher, let alone a front-line one." - "Amaro says Hernandez is 'a good choice' for Phils"

• Mets: "One source said the Pirates were just as much in play for Davis as the Brewers and reiterated what general manager Sandy Alderson said on Tuesday..." - "Market for Ike Davis getting thinner and thinner" - Dan Martin, New York Post

• Marlins: "After weeks of sifting through free agent and trade options for third base, the Marlins settled on Casey McGehee." - "Miami Marlins sign free agent third baseman Casey McGehee" -Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun Sentinel

• Livan: "Hernandez also is making available 1997 World Series ring, his 2002 Giants’ NLCS ring, his 2004 Silver Slugger Award and the first pitched baseball from the first Washington Nationals game in modern history." - "Livan Hernandez auctioning Marlins 1997 World Series MVP Trophy, ring" - Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun Sentinel

• Braves: "First reported by Jeff Passan, the Braves have acquired C Ryan Doumit in exchange for LHP Sean Gilmartin." - "Braves Acquire Ryan Doumit From Twins" - Andrew Sisson, Talking Chop

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