Wire Taps: Joe Ross is part of Nationals' future plans; Nats hire De Jon Watson; What's going on with Stephen Drew?

The baseball season is insufferably long. The winter is insufferably long. Something has to give eventually, right?

Here's the news from Nats Park.

Joe Ross is now a part of the Nationals' future plans. Now, he has to stay healthy
Joe Ross has shown he can be a valuable part of the Nationals' pitching rotation -- but he has to be healthy for any of that to work.

Wait, what happened to Stephen Drew?
Stephen Drew was a big part of the Nats' bench last season, but still hasn't signed with any team yet (including the Nats). That's kind of a problem for the Nats -- both on the bench and off of it.

Max Scherzer in the company of greatness with another, lesser-known award win
Max Scherzer won a less-known pitching award this fall, from the Negro League Baseball Museum for National League Pitcher of the Year -- the Wilber "Bullet" Rogan award,

Bryce Harper: Still very strong
He lifted 505 pounds. No big deal.

Nats hire De Jon Watson as special assistant
The former DBacks and Dodgers executive will serve as a special assistant to Mike Rizzo.

Days until pitchers and catchers report: 35