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Wire Taps: Nationals contract chatter - Ian Desmond, Kevin Frandsen + links...

Ian Desmond turned down for what? Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore reported on Ian Desmond and the Nationals talks on a long-term deal. Kevin Frandsen signed for $1M. Anthony Rendon finished 5th in MVP voting... Link time.

By Patrick Reddington

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Brian Kersey

The talk in NatsTown on Thursday was all about contract matters with the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore reporting on what sources told him about Ian Desmond turning down what amounted to a seven-year deal that would have paid the 29-year-old shortstop $107 million when the infielder and the Nats talked about a long-term contract last winter.

"20/20 is good, and he's really good when he's hitting the ball like he's hitting the ball like he's hitting it right now." - Matt Williams after Desmond's three-hit night on Saturday

Desmond signed a 2-year/$17.5M contract when negotiations on an extension failed to lead to a deal.

The '04 Montreal Expos' draft pick who has known just one organization in his major league career, has explained over the last few years that he doesn't want to accept a deal that, as the WaPost reporter put it depresses, "the market for fellow shortstops."

Desmond, who will hit free agency in 2015 if he doesn't agree on a deal with Washington, is coming off a +4.1 fWAR campaign in his sixth major league season in 2014 which saw him put up a .255/.313/.430 line with 26 doubles, 24 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 154 games and 648 plate appearances over which he drew 46 walks and piled up a career-high 183 Ks.

The Nationals did agree on a deal with one of their infielders last night, however, avoiding arbitration by reportedly signing 32-year-old bench bat Kevin Frandsen to a $1M deal for 2015.

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reported that the two sides agreed on a deal, which includes $300K in incentives, just after midnight on Friday morning:

Washington Post writer James Wagner reported on Thursday night that the two sides were close to a deal:

What else was going on in NatsTown on Thursday? Find out below. Links and lots of them... starting... RIGHT NOW!!!:

• Nats' GM Mike Rizzo talks payroll matters:

• "The Nationals are in a fascinating position. Their window to contend with this talented roster is shrinking. Much of their roster was built through trades and the draft." - "Mike Rizzo on the Nationals payroll" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• "'I think it's going to be an active trade market,' Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says. 'There's a lot of aggressive conversations going on.'" - "MLB trade talk will soon turn to action" - Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

• More on Desmond and the $107M deal:

• "Shortstop Ian Desmond turned down a seven-year, $107 million contract from the Nationals prior to Spring Training earlier this year, a baseball source has confirmed." - "Desmond turned down 7-year deal before 2014" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

• Rendon finishes 5th in NL MVP voting:

• "Rendon placed fifth in balloting for this year’s NL MVP, the best finish by any Nationals player to date, besting former sixth-place finishers Alfonso Soriano (2006) and Adam LaRoche (2012)." - "Anthony Rendon finishes 5th in NL MVP vote" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "The Nationals third baseman finished fifth in the National League Most Valuable Player voting tonight, this in just his first full big league season." - "Nationals Pastime: Rendon comes in fifth in NL MVP voting" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "4. Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals: For a long while, I had Rendon third and Stanton fourth. He finished half a win ahead by WAR, and the gap between his RE24 and Batting runs was basically identical." - "Explaining My National League MVP Ballot" - Dave Cameron, FanGraphs Baseball

• Best Washington, D.C. baseball uniform ever? Rare at least:

• "Something caught my eye on the company's Facebook page overnight, a post showing what they think could be 'the rarest MLB uniform ever.'" - "Nationals Buzz: The rarest of rare Washington baseball uniforms" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com

• Nationals' starters on the Cy Young ballots:

• "Three members of the Washington Nationals’ starting rotation — Jordan Zimmermann (5th), Doug Fister (8th) and Stephen Strasburg (T-9th) — finished in the top 10 of the voting..." - "Nationals’ aces fill up NL Cy Young ballots" - Mike Feigen, Curly W Live

• Maybe the Nats are a mystery team?:

• "Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas is scheduled to fly to the United States Friday to meet with his agent, Jay Alou, according to VICE Sports." - "Report: Yasmany Tomas headed to US, deal imminent?" - Michael Hurcomb, Fantasy News

• Senators' Hot Stove:

• "Headlining the event will be former Senators Josh Johnson, Steven Souza Jr. and Michael A. Taylor, as well as a special appearance by Doug Harris..." - "Senators Hot Stove Dinner date set; Mesa wins nailbiter in Arizona" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• P-Nats bringing it with bobbles:

• "The Potomac Nationals released some of the details of their 2015 promotional schedule on Thursday and they are spectacular..." - "P-Nats 2015 promotional schedule features Buff-A-rine and Michael Taylor flattop bobblehead" - Scott Allen, The Washington Post

• WaPost's Kilgore on keeping Zimmermann - an extension:

• "Zimmermann’s name will surely surface in more trade rumors and talks this offseason unless he signs an extension, which appears unlikely." - "The benefit of keeping Jordan Zimmermann without an extension" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post

• Nats' bench chatter:

• "After letting Scott Hairston and Nate Schierholtz enter free agency, the Nationals have a few spots open on their bench to fill this offseason." - "Best bench options for Nationals in free agency" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider

• "Cats on everything, cats on everything" - Tyler the Creator:

• "I don’t know if you can tell, there are yarn balls the little cats are playing it. The string that connects that is an actual string." - "Jerry Blevins did not bring his amazing cat sweater to Japan" - Scott Allen, The Washington Post

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Mets: "Harvey's situation is slightly different, however, as Strasburg underwent his procedure in September 2010 then actually returned towards the end of '11..." - "Specific plan not yet in place for Harvey" - Paul Casella, mets.com

• "Despite the Mets' need at the position, Asdrubal Cabrera and his lackluster offense and defense do not seem to be a good fit." - "2015 Free Agent Profile: Asdrubal Cabrera" - Colby Conetta, Amazin' Avenue

• Phillies: "The most telling sign came in early July, when the list of teams Hamels left unblocked on his no-trade clause surfaced from out of the ether." - "On Cole Hamels, Anthony Gose, and the opiate of front offices" - David Murphy, Philadelphia Daily News

• Marlins: "But $300 million over 10 years? Several reports have confirmed those are the kind of numbers the team and player are talking about, first reported by Fox Sports." - "Reports: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins discussing $300M deal" - Scott Andera, www.palmbeachpost.com

• Braves: "Hart is 66, and showed more energy than some other GMs barely half his age. He also conveyed more confidence, humor and enthusiasm..." - "Braves’ busy offseason has just begun" - David O'Brien, AJC.com

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