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Wire Taps: Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo On Robinson Cano, More Doug Fister Links

All the links that are fit to print. The Washington Nationals went out and dealt for the starter that they wanted, though Doug Fister's name wasn't even mentioned before Nats' GM Mike Rizzo pulled the trigger on the deal. After the trade went down, everyone had their say. Links and lots of them...

By Patrick Reddington
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

If there was any lingering doubt after Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo spoke to reporters on Tuesday morning about rumors of interest in free agent second baseman Robinson Cano, the Nats' general manager pretty much put an end to such speculation when he appeared on the MLB Network Radio show Inside Pitch later in the afternoon. "I think that we feel good about Anthony Rendon and backup options like Danny Espinosa as our second basemen," Rizzo said. "And I think that they're going to come into Spring Training as guys that we're going to count on this year." He didn't rule it out entirely, but strong suggested that the Nats didn't plan on getting involved. Don't let that bum you out, #SIGNCANO fans, since Cano hasn't signed and Rizzo wouldn't say, "Yes, we want him!" anyway. It's all you, Seattle! On to the links, and lots of them, starting... RIGHT NOW!!!:

• THE BIG STORY!!!:

• "Mike Rizzo just had a good winter in one night. The Washington Nationals general manager just acquired Detroit Tigers 14-game winner Doug Fister for nothing." - "Doug Fister trade means Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has had good offseason already" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post

• NATS BEAT:

• "Coming from Detroit, obviously we had a great staff. It was such an honor to be a part of the staff that we had there with Scherzer and Verlander and everybody else." - "Fister 'excited' about trade to Nationals" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Fister found out last night that he had been traded to the Nationals, who will now be his third organization in six major league seasons." - "Nationals Pastime: Fister on joining Nats: 'There's a lot of excitement for me'" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• LISTEN TO MIKE RIZZO ON MLB NETWORK RADIO:

• "Most everything in 2014 will be new for Nationals pitcher Doug Fister, acquired in a trade Monday with the Detroit Tigers: Different city, different teammates, different league." - "Doug Fister addition lets Nationals rest easy with rotation" - Brian McNally, Washington Times

• "Doug Fister has been a Washington National for less than a day and, on Tuesday afternoon, he spoke with reporters via conference call." - "Doug Fister excited to join the Nationals" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• "In five seasons with the Mariners and Tigers, Fister is 44-50 with a 3.53 ERA. He has struck out 6.3 batters per nine innings but combined that with a rate of 1.8 walks per nine." - "General manager Mike Rizzo: Doug Fister will 'thrive here' with Nationals" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "'To do a deal, to get a caliber of pitcher like Doug Fister with the makeup he has and the track record he has, we’re excited. We gave up three fine players to get him.'" - "Mike Rizzo discusses Nationals’ trade for Doug Fister, plus more" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "As the talks between Rizzo and Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski played out during and after the GM meetings, the Nats started turning their attention more toward Fister..." - "Nationals Pastime: Mike Rizzo discusses the Doug Fister trade" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "The scouts see a big, physical pitcher who logs lots of innings, pounds the strike zone and has performed beautifully on the sport’s biggest stage." - "Nats GM Mike Rizzo on new starter Doug Fister" - Brian McNally, Washington Times

• "Rizzo identified Anthony Rendon as the starter heading into Spring Training, but the GM said there will be competition, with Danny Espinosa among those in the mix." - "Nationals comfortable with second-base situation" - Andrew Simon, nationals.com: News

• "The Nationals were interested in J.P. Howell last year when he was a free agent and Howell is a free agent again this year after one season with the Dodgers." - "The Nationals’ remaining needs: left-handed relievers and the bench" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• "It appears now that the starting rotation is almost set for 2014, with Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Fister the top four. Where does this leave Ross Detwiler?" - "With Fister added, what's left to do to solidify roster?" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "'We really had identified Doug as our primary acquisition target as far as starting pitchers go,' Rizzo said. 'We thought he was an undervalued asset.'" - "Mike Rizzo on the Doug Fister trade and the No. 5 rotation spot" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• "But non-tendered players do make for affordable reclamation projects, and sometimes they prove to be savvy pick-ups for new clubs." - "Non-tendered players who could interest Washington Nationals" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider


• "Rizzo said Anthony Rendon will go into Spring Training as the starting second baseman, but there will be competition. Danny Espinosa will try to win his job back." - "Nationals head to Winter Meetings ready to make upgrades" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "The Nationals are surely aiming higher, but a fresh batch of players hit the market after teams non-tendered players last night." - "Non-tendered players who fit the Nationals’ needs" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• "'Well, we’re certainly not going to discuss what we’re talking about but Robbie Cano is a terrific player,' [Rizzo] said. 'He’s a free agent in the open market. And we feel we that we’ve got second base solidified.'" - "Rizzo Shoots Down Cano Inquiry: ‘We’ve Got Second Base Solidified’" - Chris Lingebach, CBS DC

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

• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "Fister should face what is still a strikeout-happy Braves team without Brian McCann, an aging Phillies team, a work-in-progress (but not likely to be great) Mets lineup and a young Marlins team..." - "Doug Fister, Cy Young candidate?" - David Schoenfield, SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

• "Meanwhile, from the Nationals' side, all indications are that Rizzo did an excellent job assessing the market, identifying his target, and then waiting for an opportune time to make a deal." - "Timing Is Everything In The Doug Fister Trade: MLB Rumors" - Jeff Todd, MLBTradeRumors.com

• "The Nationals, on paper anyways, get a lot better with Fister to round out a rotation that now includes Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Ross Detwiler." - "Did Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski Actually 'Lose' a Trade Moving Doug Fister to the Nationals?" - Mike Cardillo, The Big Lead

• "Here is my take on the three youngsters moving from our nation's capital to Michigan." - "Tigers trade Doug Fister to Nationals for Ian Krol, Robbie Ray, Steve Lombardozzi" - John Sickels, Minor League Ball

• "The Tigers have studs in Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Anibal Sanchez at the top of their rotation." - "MLB Hot Stove 2013: Jim Johnson, Doug Fister trades highlight busy 24 hours of activity" - Ben Shapiro, masslive.com

• "The signing of 38-year-old Joe Nathan as the team’s closer seems to be a byproduct of this trade, which sent an arbitration-eligible Doug Fister for three low-wage players." - "Valenti and Foster: Don’t Freak Out Over Doug Fister Trade Just Yet…" - CBS Detroit

• "Washington is another club with the financial firepower to sign Cano. But Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo shot down the concept during an interview Tuesday on Sirius XM radio." - "Jacoby Ellsbury agrees to seven-year, $153 million contract as Yankees' offseason splurge continues" - Andy McCullough, NJ.com

• NATSTOWN/MINORS:

• "There are many perks to being Bryce Harper, and being a special guest at Justin Timberlake’s Las Vegas show is one of them." - "Justin Timberlake asks Bryce Harper for batting help" - Sarah Kogod, D.C. Sports Bog

• "Lombardozzi graduated from Atholton in 2007. That year, that standout shortstop hit .460 with nine doubles, five triples and two home runs." - "Atholton grad Steve Lombardozzi traded from Washington Nationals to Detroit Tigers" - Matt Owings, baltimoresun.com

• "In a trade reminiscent of two Decembers ago, the Nationals have traded LHPs Robbie Ray and Ian Krol along with utilityman Steve Lombardozzi for Tigers RHP Doug Fister." - "Nats Trade Ray, et al For Doug Fister" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com


• "Merry Fistmas" - Nats Enquirer

• "On the surface it looks like a confounding deal that leans way toward the Nats. Are we missing anything?" - "Fister Pump" - Harper, Nationals Baseball

• "Fister mentioned that shortstop Ian Desmond has already reached out to him, and that’s he’s excited to be joining a playoff-ready team..." - "Fister eager to join Nationals’ rotation" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page

• "How To Convince Your Facebook Friend That The Fister Trade Is a Great Deal" - Nationals 101

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Mets: "Talks between the New York Mets and Curtis Granderson's representatives intensified late Tuesday, and a source familiar with the negotiations told ESPNNewYork.com the organization is negotiating to land the free-agent outfielder on a three-year deal." - "New York Mets, Curtis Granderson in talks over 3-year deal" - Adam Rubin, ESPN New York

• Phillies: "The Phillies added another arm Tuesday night when they announced they had acquired right-hander Brad Lincoln from the Blue Jays for catcher Erik Kratz and left-hander Rob Rasmussen." - "Phillies get reliever Brad Lincoln from Blue Jays, add catcher Wil Nieves" - Todd Zolecki, phillies.com: News

• Marlins: "Jarrod Saltalamacchia's journey through free agency has brought him home." - "Marlins close to signing free agent catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia"- Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun Sentinel

• Braves: "So with the Winter Meetings set to begin next week in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., general manager Frank Wren still finds himself attempting to satisfy the same roster needs he had when plans for the 2014 season began developing in October." - "Braves seeking veteran pitcher for starting rotation at Winter Meetings" - Mark Bowman, braves.com: News

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