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So... what happened in NatsTown while you were out living your life this weekend? The agent of one of the Padres' prospects the Nationals acquired in last week's three-way deal with the Padres and Rays (it's Trea Turner, Shhh!) expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation his client finds himself in after the trade. Baseball America posted this year's edition of their Top 10 prospects list for the organization. Someone started building an ice rink in Nationals Park. Praise of the work Mike Rizzo did in last week's deal continued. The Phillies reportedly considered targeting a former Nationals' second baseman... Time to catch up on the last three days of Nats news:
It's a 'banner day' at @Nationals Park. #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/hCr6YTiMIg
— NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2014
Trea Turner Stories:
• "Shortstop Trea Turner has been traded from the Padres to the Nationals. Everyone knows he has been traded from the Padres to the Nationals." - "Free Trea Turner: Age-old rule means Nationals PTBN must stay with Padres till June" - Ken Rosenthal, FOX Sports
Adjusted and clarified some points in last night’s story about Trea Turner situation. http://t.co/8Jj4hUnSRb #Padres #Nationals
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 20, 2014
• "Jeff Berry and CAA, the agency that represents the 2014 first-round pick, are unhappy that Turner can’t join the Nationals until June..." - "Agent representing Trea Turner unhappy he’s in limbo after Nationals’ three-team trade" - James Wagner, The Washington Post
• "Does he really believe the Padres will have zero interest in Turner's health, development or performance"? I don't know. Maybe he really does." - "What's to be done about Trea Turner?" - Rob Neyer, FOX Sports
Last night I read @Ken_Rosenthal's fascinating story about Trea Turner. Then I wrote my own story: http://t.co/3W5OLaPvmq
— robneyer (@robneyer) December 20, 2014
• "The circumstances are unique and a bit complicated here given that Turner is a position player who needs repetition." - "Trea Turner's agent may file grievance to free client from Padres" - Mark Townsend, Big League Stew - Yahoo Sports
Nationals Trade Talk:
• "What started with Souza as the 100th pick in the 2007 draft may morph into Turner, the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft..." - "Washington Nationals show a patience other teams would do well to follow" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post
My col: Nats define wise patience. Souza-for-Turner & Ross proves Rizzo will invest >10 yrs to develop just 1 player. http://t.co/3rMajfXf8C
— Thomas Boswell (@ThomasBoswellWP) December 19, 2014
• "The early returns, among scouts, agents and executives, is that Washington did exceptionally well in this deal, essentially not upsetting a 2015 roster that is set to be a contender..." - "Nationals’ Mike Rizzo, scout? No. Mike Rizzo, trading machine" - Barry Svrluga, The Washington Post
• "Remember the uproar on Dec. 23, 2011, when the Nationals sent four of their top minor league prospects to the A's in exchange for left-hander Gio Gonzalez and minor league right-hander Robert Gilliam?" - "Nationals Pastime: Looking back on the Gio Gonzalez trade" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
.@NHL #WinterClassic preparations are well underway! Can't wait to see what #Nats Park looks like on New Year’s Day! pic.twitter.com/GjrGFbskyb
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) December 18, 2014
• "In contrast, at AA in 2013, Steven Souza had an ISO of .256 in 323 PA. Impressive but just AA you say? Fair point I would reply, but Souza's AAA numbers indicate much the same..." - "Who Is Steven Souza?" - Michael Bradburn, Beyond the Box Score
Nationals' Second Base Search:
Wil Myers is Steven Souza Lite by @MWBII http://t.co/f9zkJRRmUH pic.twitter.com/AXB6nBDdBN
— Beyond the Box Score (@BtBScore) December 21, 2014
• "Though the winning team is still unknown, one industry source with knowledge of Korea predicted that the Phillies or Nationals could be the frontrunners at this point." - "Which team placed the highest bid on Jung-ho Kang?" - Chris Cotillo, MLB Daily Dish
Adding to the chorus: doesn't sound like the Nats are the mystery team with the winning bid for Korean SS Jung-Ho Kang.
— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) December 21, 2014
• "We know for a fact somebody won the rights to negotiate with shortstop Jung-Ho Kang, who on Dec. 14 became the first Korean position player ever to be posted." - "Mystery surrounds winning bid for Korean SS Jung-Ho Kang" - Mark Townsend, Big League Stew - Yahoo Sports Canada
• "The subject of the Nationals' possible vacancy at second base has been a top offseason story for the club." - "Williams not concerned about second base vacancy right now" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
Nationals Prospect Talk:
• "The Nationals continued to be opportunistic in the draft in 2014, snatching up Nevada-Las Vegas righthander Erick Fedde, a top-five-picks talent who slipped to No. 18 because of Tommy John surgery." - "2015 Washington Nationals Top 10 Prospects" - Aaron Fitt, BaseballAmerica.com
Transcript of @aaronfitt's Nationals prospects chat ($): http://t.co/Wdo6mikoRz
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) December 19, 2014
• "The 2015 NationalsProspects.com Watchlist" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com
• "Turner is more than just a one-tool player, as he has a good feel for hitting and excellent on-base skills that will make him an outstanding catalyst at the top of a lineup." - "Ranking the 12 prospects the Padres dealt" - Jonathan Mayo, padres.com
The skinny on all 11 players in the @RaysBaseball-@Padres-@Nationals deal via @JonathanMayoB3: http://t.co/rTkwDeuJ1U pic.twitter.com/mY4FnbsoYc
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) December 18, 2014
NatsTown:
• "On a spring morning at Tigers camp in Lakeland, manager Matt Williams announced Detwiler was being converted into a reliever, a move he said would best maximize the left-hander’s skills." - "Significant moment No. 10: Detwiler to bullpen, Roark to rotation" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider
• "This week's trade that sent outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays as part of a three-team deal creates a possible vacancy on the Nationals bench." - "Nationals Pastime: With Souza gone, is Taylor next man up? (plus minor league signing)" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
Some thoughts on the Nats' PTBN dilemma with Trea Turner: http://t.co/uEHpvJa3cF and Mike Rizzo on the deal: http://t.co/PcvqpD5j6i
— Pete Kerzel (@masnPete) December 19, 2014
• "The Nats have most of the key players on their roster locked up for multiple seasons." - "The Washington Nationals are in good shape for the future" - James O'Hara, The Washington Post
• "Blevins said the people and the scenery were the best parts of his trip to Japan. Also, the food." - "Jerry Blevins on Japan, hoping for better results with Nats in 2015" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider
• "Fister, who has always held a keen interest in the military after hearing stories of service from both of his grandfathers, jumped at the opportunity to join Dempsey on the tour..." - "USO holiday trip abroad was "life-changing" for Doug Fister" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider
NL EAST UPDATES: Phils like Asdrubal?; Padres like Hamels?; Prado back in division; Mets' on Tulo?:
• Phillies: "The Padres have had discussions about trading for the lefthanded ace, who happens to be a San Diego native, with newly acquired outfielder Wil Myers as potential bait..." - "Padres said to be pursuing Hamels" - Ryan Lawrence, Philadephia Daily News
A San Diego homecoming for Hamels? According to a source, Padres have discussed a Hamels trade (with Myers as bait): http://t.co/AtCHYpLEbl
— Ryan Lawrence (@ryanlawrence21) December 21, 2014
• "They have yet to trade for or sign anybody to replace the spot Asdrubal Cabrera held down after the 2014 trade deadline." - "Report: Phillies may target Cabrera to replace Rollins" - Chase Hughes, Comcast SportsNet Washington
• Braves: "Fried headlined the package of prospects the Braves received in the Upton deal, but he is coming off Tommy John surgery..." - "A look at the prospects involved in the Justin Upton trade" - Ray Guilyfoyle, ake Teams
A look at the prospects involved in the Justin Upton trade http://t.co/e1SPdVDoOo
— Ray Guilfoyle (@faketeams) December 21, 2014
• Mets: "If a deal were to happen, for Tulowitzki or any other major trade, the Mets would likely have to take from their cache of top prospects. Well, who might those be?" - "If Mets make a trade, who are their top prospects?" - Mike Vorkunov, NJ.com
MLB hot stove: Would Mets trade for Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki be worth the risk? Or is it time to make a… http://t.co/208wcbpMz1
— NJ.com Sports (@NJ_Sports) December 19, 2014
• Marlins: "Adding Martin Prado to the equation gives manager Mike Redmond some interesting decisions to make regarding the Marlins' batting order." - "Prado gives Marlins options with their batting order" - Joe Frisaro, marlins.com