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Wire Taps: Nationals weekend in review - Nats links, NL East Updates

Washington Nationals' third baseman Anthony Rendon and Nats' shortstop Ian Desmond landed high on ESPN.com's Buster Olney lists of the Top 3B and SS in the majors. What happened in NatsTown this weekend? Catch up on all the "news"...

By Patrick Reddington
Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

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

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 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

• "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):

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

• "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

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 + 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

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