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So... what happened in NatsTown this weekend? Not. A. Whole. Lot. It's late November and though there have been a bunch of Washington Nationals-related rumors out there over the last few weeks nothing big has happened yet.
So what did happen in the last few days? Nats' third baseman Anthony Rendon landed at no.2 on ESPN.com's Buster Olney's list of the best hot corner infielders in the majors...
#RENDONISREADY!:
• "In keeping with our recent theme of ranking the top 10 players at each position in baseball, today we tackle third basemen." - "Josh Donaldson tops rankings of MLB third basemen" - Buster Olney, ESPN
A ranking of the Top 10 third basemen in the majors -- and it was really hard leaving one player out, in particular. http://t.co/XSoOIVgmOe
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 24, 2014
Ian Desmond was ranked third on Olney's list of the best shortstops in baseball...
#STEAK:
• "3. Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals - At his best, Desmond can be a dynamic player with power and speed..." - "The 10 best shortstops in MLB" - Buster Olney, ESPN
• "Those who watch Desmond and Rendon play on a consistent basis know what those two bring to the table." - "Nationals Pastime: Desmond and Rendon getting noticed nationally" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
Stephen Strasburg played XBox One with Nationals fans:
• "In over two months, the offseason will be over and Strasburg will be back in Viera for spring training with his teammates." - "Stephen Strasburg on his offseason, gaming and the playoffs" - James Wagner, The Washington Post
Strasburg says he's excited to meet @nationals fans, and doesn't mind losing a video game to one today. #wtop pic.twitter.com/u8fMWUBISu
— Ari Ashe™ (@ariashe) November 22, 2014
• "Strasburg greeted fans inside the store, then a select few got to play against him on an XBox One." - "Fans get to meet, play video games with Nats pitcher" - Ari Ahse, WTOP.com
Did you know Bruce Billings went to SDSU w/ Stras?:
• "Billings and Stephen Strasburg were teammates at San Diego State in 2007." - "Nationals sign pitcher Bruce Billings to a minor league deal" - James Wagner, The Washington Post
Next. Big. Things.:
• "Cole’s success in the first half prompted the Nationals to promote him to Triple-A Syracuse for the first time in his young career, in his fifth minor league season. Cole adapted well and went 7-0 with the Chiefs..." - "Nationals 2014 minor league spotlight: A.J. Cole" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider
#TomAroundTown is visiting @virginiasports, spreading the word about his Holiday Gift Packs! http://t.co/xANI6SdCKP pic.twitter.com/UhkB9Ysnu9
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) November 22, 2014
• "Given the success Difo had at Hagerstown, it would not be a surprise to see the switch-hitting infielder begin the 2015 season at Double-A Harrisburg. " - "Nationals 2014 minor league spotlight: Wilmer Difo" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider
Some stories from the Nats beat:
• "Teammate Stephen Strasburg may have the best stuff in the organization, but Zimmermann is the ace of the staff." - "Nats could have options with Zimmermann, Fister" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com
• "The deal will give LaRoche a hitter-friendly home ballpark, as 1.86 home runs were hit per game at U.S. Cellular Field in 2014, ninth-most in the majors." - "Nationals Pastime: LaRoche lands in Chicago" - Dan Kolko, MASN
Your Daily Message from the Dalai Lama on Twitter (@DalaiLama):
Affection, warm-heartedness, that makes us happy; wealth alone can’t do that.
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) November 21, 2014
Braves shopping Justin Upton:
• "The Braves are going to try to convert defensively suspect catcher Evan Gattis to be a full-time left fielder — assuming they don’t trade him, too — and CBSsports.com has reported the Braves are in play for Yasmany Tomas, the Cuban outfielder." - "Braves shopping Justin Upton at a steep price" - Joel Sherman, New York Post
#Rangers have spoken with #Braves about Justin Upton, as @Joelsherman1 said. Also have liked Upton in past. Pitching is more current focus.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 23, 2014
• "But even with the advantage of his handedness, I’d like to suggest that the price for Upton should be less than what St. Louis gave up for Heyward." - "Justin Upton Shouldn’t Cost More Than Jason Heyward" - Dave Cameron, FanGraphs Baseball
• "Now Hart is seeking a deal for All-Star Justin Upton, a dump-off deal for B.J. Upton, and he’s pursuing Cuban slugger Yasmani Tomas." - "Yankees may be gun-shy, or about to pull the trigger" - Nick Cafardo, The Boston Globe
I get Revere jokes:
• "After a spring full of Billy Hamilton hype, and a summer filled with Dee Gordon love, Ben Revere ran wild last season and was almost totally ignored." - "Ben Revere, the steals are coming, the steals are coming" - Jack Cecil, Fake Teams
Ben Revere, the steals are coming, the steals are coming http://t.co/AxWMHUbrTl
— Ray Guilfoyle (@faketeams) November 23, 2014
Mets + Rangers?:
• "Profar has been a highly-touted prospect—he ranked number one overall at Baseball Prospectus before the 2013 season—but missed the entire 2014 season to injury." - "Mets Trade Rumors: Texas Rangers open to trading shortstops" - Chris McShane, Amazin' Avenue
#Marlins players Marcell Ozuna and Henderson Alvarez distributing turkeys with the #MarlinsAyudan Blue Shirts! https://t.co/95luOeRCK5
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) November 21, 2014
Marlins + Miley? Trade Eovaldi? I like him:
• "The Marlins, seeking a veteran starter, also have discussed trading Nathan Eovaldi or a quality pitching prospect to Arizona for left-hander Wade Miley (38-35, 3.79 in 3 1/2 seasons)." - "Pouncey decides he's better suited at center; Lots of Fins chatter; Heat, Marlins; UM-Virginia fallout" - Barry Jackson, Sports Buzz