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Wire Taps: Nationals sign Casey Janssen + Latest MASN update

The Washington Nationals have reportedly added veteran reliever Casey Janssen to their bullpen on a one-year deal. There was an update on the MASN vs MLB/the Nationals dispute. Nats links, tweets, quotes + more all in one place.

By Patrick Reddington

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H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

Multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday that the Washington Nationals signed veteran reliever Casey Janssen to a one-year deal that gives the defending NL East Champions another arm with experience as a closer at the back of the bullpen.

In an interview on MLB Network Radio after the deal was announced, Nats' lefty Matt Thornton talked about the addition of the former Toronto Blue Jays' closer.

"[F]rom what I've seen from the other side, he does the job and shuts the door and I'm sure on a team like ours he's going to take whatever job they give him and run with it." - Matt Thornton on new Nats' reliever Casey Janssen

"I'm surprised he's just now getting a job, honestly," Thornton said.

"I've been a big fan of Casey. He's not flashy. But man, he can go out there and pitch. And I say, 'He can hit a gnat's ass with almost anything,' you know. He's a great competitor, and goes out there and from what I've seen from the other side, he does the job and shuts the door and I'm sure on a team like ours he's going to take whatever job they give him and run with it. He's fixing to have a great year."

A set-up man to take over for the recently-traded Tyler Clippard? A backup closer unless Drew Storen struggles or just needs a night off?

Another late-inning bullpen arm to help out in the late innings while Aaron Barrett and Blake Treinen learn on the job?

As one writer put it yesterday, the one obvious hole on the Nationals' roster appears to have now been filled...

NATS BEAT: Nationals sign Janssen

• "Janssen, who has spent his entire career with the Blue Jays, is an ideal fit." - "With Janssen on board, Nationals' roster has no holes" - Phil Rogers, nationals.com

• "The deal adds a former closer to a bullpen that lost several key arms this winter." - "Nationals sign veteran reliever Casey Janssen" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• "Janssen, 33, likely becomes the Nationals’ new setup man while also providing some ninth-inning insurance in case anything happens to closer Drew Storen." - "Washington Nationals sign veteran reliever Casey Janssen" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "The Nationals might have just found their replacement for Tyler Clippard in the eighth inning." - "Nationals Pastime: Nats sign reliever Casey Janssen to one-year deal (updated)" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "Janssen has experience in that capacity, with 90 career saves, including 81 in 91 chances over the past three years." - "Source: Janssen, Nats agree to 1-year deal" - Andrew Simon, nationals.com

• "Free-agent reliever Casey Janssen and the Washington Nationals agreed to a one-year contract with an option for 2016, a person familiar with the negotiations said Wednesday." - "AP Source: RHP Casey Janssen, Nationals agree to contract" - Howard Fendrich, Washington Times

NATIONAL(S) BEAT: Janssen added to Nats' bullpen

• "The one place where Washington seems a little thin -- I don't want to say vulnerable, just not as deep as the other parts of the roster -- is in the bullpen." - "Nationals address bullpen depth with lottery ticket Casey Janssen" - Mike Axisa, CBSSports.com

• "Janssen’s groundball rate fell, from 48% to just over 34%. His career mark, last season included, is 47%." - "Just What Happened to Casey Janssen?" - Jeff Sullivan, FanGraphs Baseball

• "Janssen spent three seasons as Toronto's closer, converting on 81 of 91 save opportunities. He was effective, but not exactly lights out." - "Report: Nats sign Casey Janssen to help back-end of bullpen" - Mike Oz, Big League Stew

NATS BEAT: Non-Janssen stories - ST home update +

• "Drinking water protections stand in the way of the proposed $135-million spring training facility on 160 acres in West Palm Beach to be shared by the Nationals and Astros." - "Nationals’ spring training hopes in Palm Beach County have another hurdle" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• "Though there’s some level of uncertainty about how Zimmerman will perform at first base, there’s ample reason to believe he’ll be just fine there." - "Nationals roster preview: Ryan Zimmerman" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Baseball America editor-in-chief John Manuel, who is based in North Carolina, got a first-hand look at the former N.C. State infielder and liked what he witnessed." - "Baseball America No. 2 Nats prospect: Trea Turner" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

NATIONAL(S) BEAT: MASN Update + Franchise history + Scherzer stories

• "The latest documents, filed in advance of a scheduled March 2 trial in the New York Supreme Court, contend MASN is stalling to prevent an MLB panel's award in favor of the Nationals from taking effect." - "MLB, Washington Nationals argue MASN is stalling to avoid paying Nats" - Eric Fisher, Baltimore Business Journal

• "Zimmerman is the only player to have been with the club for it's entirety, coming up in late 2005. He's a career .286/.352/.476 (120 OPS+) hitter..." - "Franchise bests/worsts: Washington Nationals" - Matt Snyder, CBSSports.com

• "Thus, next year Scherzer will pay income taxes when the Nationals play road games in New York, Pennsylvania, and other states with income taxes, but not in Florida, Texas, or Washington (states without an income tax)." - "Max Scherzer: Did tax breaks seal the deal for Nationals ace?" - Richard C. Auxler, CSMonitor.com

• "Baseball pitcher and Cy Young award-winner Max Scherzer owns a condominuim with views of Phoenix's Camelback Mountain." - "15 posh Phoenix homes of sports greats" - AZCentral.com

NATSTOWN: 10th Anniversary + TED(DY) Talk

• "Each Monday through Friday next week, and each Monday through Friday the week after, the club will post a clue about the location of its Teddy Roosevelt mascot." - "Nats will reveal 10th anniversary promotional items with ’10 Days of Teddy’ campaign" - Dan Steinberg, The Washington Post

• "Each day from February 1st-10th between 11:00am and 1:00pm, Teddy Roosevelt will appear somewhere in the DC metropolitan area and tweet about his location." - "'Ten Days of Teddy' let’s fans reveal Nationals 2015 Promotion/Giveaway Schedule" - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!

• "It’s Teddy here to remind you that baseball will be back in just a few short weeks! Can you believe we’re celebrating the Nationals 10-Year Anniversary this year?" - "Get ready for ‘Ten Days Of Teddy’" - Big Head Teddy, Curly W Live

NL EAST UPDATES: Ichiro Introduced + Braves add Toscano + Mets' payroll

• Phillies: "The Phillies announced significant changes to their leadership on Wednesday afternoon." - "Montgomery returns to Phillies as chairman" - Todd Zolecki, phillies.com

• Mets: "New MLB commissioner Rob Manfred offered no objection to the Mets' payroll level, which is projected to remain less than $100 million again this season." - "Commish OK with Mets' payroll level" - Adam Rubin, ESPN New York

• Braves: "After aggressively scouring the international market over the past few months, the Braves opted to take a chance on Dian Toscano, a relatively obscure Cuban outfielder..." - "Braves announce 4-year deal with Toscano" - Mark Bowman, braves.com

• Marlins:

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