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Wire Taps: WaPost report - Nationals offered Ian Desmond $107 million over seven years

Washington Post reporter Adam Kilgore's got some information on the talks between Ian Desmond and the Nationals last winter. Baseball Prospectus has their updated list of the Nats' top prospects. Matt Williams' staff is returning. Links and more...

By Patrick Reddington

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Ezra Shaw

The Washington Nationals offered shortstop Ian Desmond how much?

According to a report from Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore, "multiple people familiar with the situation" told the reporter that the, "Nationals offered Desmond a contract extension last offseason that would have paid him $107 million over seven years." The deal, according to the WaPost beat writer, would have, "included the two-year, $17.5 million deal Desmond signed last January, meaning Desmond would have made $89.5 million over five would-be free agent seasons."

How high will the Nationals have to go to keep Desmond in D.C.? Kilgore notes that the Nats "may prioritize" signing the Silver Slugger-winning shortstop over fellow 2015 free-agent-to-be Jordan Zimmermann, "[b]ased on [Desmond's] total contribution and the difficulty of finding a shortstop with his offensive ability."

Read the entire article through the link below. More links to follow for some post-lunch reading...

• NATS BEAT:

• "General Manager Mike Rizzo, however, said Nationals will not prioritize offense — such as a left-handed hitter — over defense for a second baseman." - "No Jordan Zimmermann-Cubs talk, and other GM meeting notes" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• "Mike Rizzo isn’t going around the GM Meetings in Phoenix this week, asking his 29 counterparts if they're interested in acquiring the two-time All-Star right-hander." - "Nationals would demand a boatload in return for Jordan Zimmermann" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "It takes two to tango, and while the Nats would like to lock Zimmermann up long-term, they might know that isn't a realistic option." - "Nationals Pastime: On the Jordan Zimmermann trade rumor and what it all means" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "Rizzo declined to offer specifics when asked if any progress was made on any of the team's potential free agents." - "Nationals GM refutes report of Zimmermann trade talks" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

• "Rizzo flatly said it is 'not a need to search for a closer. . . . Drew is a very capable ninth- inning pitcher.'" - "For Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, focus is on bullpen, bench" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• Williams' coaching staff is back!:

• "It’s the first time the entire Nationals’ coaching staff will remain together in back-to-back seasons since 2007-08, the first two years of Manny Acta’s managerial tenure." - "Entire Nationals coaching staff will return in 2015" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Of the seven Nationals coaches, six had experience coaching in the Washington organization before being elevated to the big league staff." - "Nationals Pastime: Nationals will retain entire coaching staff for 2015" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "The Nationals' coaching staff ain't broke, so heading into 2015, general manager Mike Rizzo won't fix it." - "Nats' coaching staff set to return for 2015 season" - AJ Cassavell, nationals.com

• "As expected, the entire Nationals coaching staff will return in 2015 under Manager Matt Williams." - "Entire Nationals coaching staff to return in 2015" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• Moore, Moore, Moore (Winter League Update):

• "Perhaps most significant are the 14 walks Moore has drawn in only 83 plate appearances, a good sign of some improved patience at the plate from the oft-free-swinging slugger." - "Nationals winter ball update" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Rivero has now surrendered only one earned run in his last 10 innings. This is in contrast to his first four starts, in which he gave up 13 earned runs. His ERA is down to 6.08." - "Moore and Rivero continue to roll in offseason league play" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• Votes, but no awards for Nationals' starters:

• "I was fortunate enough to be among the 30 writers (two from each NL city) who voted for this year’s Cy Young Award. Here’s my ballot…" - "Zimmermann 5th in Cy Young vote, Fister 8th, Strasburg 9th" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "While a Nationals pitcher didn't win the Cy Young last night, Washington was very well represented on the ballot." - "Nationals Pastime: Nats well-represented on Cy Young ballot" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "The Nationals are entering the offseason with 'an eye on 2015 and also beyond,' club president and GM Mike Rizzo said today..." - "Rizzo: Nationals Have Payroll Flexibility" - Jeff Todd, MLB Trade Rumors

• "'[T]here’s not a lot I can do about it but try and communicate with the parties that are involved and let them know what our thoughts are.'" - "Nats GM: 'No basis' to report on trade talks with Cubs on Zimmermann" - Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune

• "The latest flurry of activity in the protracted legal battle between Lord & Taylor and White Flint Mall could interrupt construction magnate and baseball team owner Ted Lerner's time in Palm Springs, California." - "Lawyers for Nationals owner Ted Lerner ask court to let him stay in California" - Daniel J. Sernovitz, Washington Business Journal

• Baseball Prosectus' Nationals' Top 10 Prospects:

• "Headlined by arguably the best pitching prospect in the game, more talent is on its way to one of the most loaded young major-league rosters in baseball." - "2015 Prospects: Washington Nationals Top 10 Prospects" - Chris Mellen, Baseball Prospectus

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• METS: "With the corner infielders charging, however, Niese decided to swing away and flied out, thereby angering his manager. According to players and coaches who were there, Collins jumped Niese as he came back to the dugout..." - "Jon Niese's arm, not temper, has Mets thinking trade" - John Harper, NY Daily News

• "Though the Mets intend to tread carefully with Harvey, they want to figure out a plan that would keep him active through September and for a potential playoff run in October." - "N.Y. Mets: Matt Harvey’s Innings Limit to Be Negotiated" - Jared Diamond, WSJ

• "Mets general manager Sandy Alderson digs the long ball, and he thinks fans at Citi Field will, too." - "Fences moved in at Citi Field because 'we do want to entertain people,' Sandy Alderson says" - Marc Carig, Newsday

• PHILLIES: "The Phillies want to trade him, and, certainly nothing against the city or the loyal fan base, but Hamels would love to help facilitate their franchise makeover." - "Cole Hamels knows it's go time in Philly" - Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

• "A team that trades for Hamels this winter could have control over the former World Series MVP for the next 5 years." - "Make your best pitch for Phillies ace Hamels" - Ryan Lawrence, Philadelphia Daily News

• Marlins: "In the eyes of the Marlins, who have never had an NL MVP Award winner, Stanton is extremely deserving." - "Feared slugger deserves to add more hardware" - Joe Frisaro, marlins.com

• Braves: "With Julio Teheran, Mike Minor and Alex Wood, the Braves have a base for what could become a solid starting rotation." - "Hart weighing which direction to go this offseason" - Mark Bowman, braves.com

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