Wire Taps: Dusty Baker wants another crack at winning with Washington Nationals + Do Nats need starting depth?

FanRag’s Jon Heyman is hearing that Dusty Baker would like to return to Washington, D.C. for another crack at winning a World Series with the Nationals in 2018. Will Baker be back on the bench in the nation’s capital? “It’s up to,” the Nationals according to a “person familiar with the situation” notes Heyman, which, is, you know, obvious and all, but still, will the two sides work something out, or will the Nats continue their pattern of changing full-time managers every two years, which stretches back to 2010...

THE BIG STORY: Inside Baseball MLB Notes | Baker Wants Another Crack With Nats
"GM Mike Rizzo hasn’t said anything, but most people around the team seem to be thinking Baker will be back for 2018..."

NATS BEAT:

Bryce Harper is a year from free agency. So what’s he really worth?
"The Nats also look judicious for ignoring the advice of those (such as me) who said that offering Harper a $400 million, 10-year extension to sign through age 35 was a reasonable notion."

After MVP-caliber season, time to think long-term with Rendon
"The Nationals once again will face an intriguing dilemma this winter with Rendon, who is under club control for two more seasons."

Shawn Kelley not expected to need surgery this offseason
Shawn Kelley couldn't figure out what was wrong with his elbow. Some combination of bone chips and overall damage sidelined him for the end of the season, but after a stem cell injection into his elbow, he's apparently ready to go for next year. Huh.

Do the Nationals need to add starting pitching?
"There is no desperation to add starting pitching for 2018. Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, and Tanner Roark, locks for the rotation, are under contract for next season."

Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg situated atop Nationals rotation
"The Nationals also have to determine what they think of Tanner Roark. He did not throw a pitch in the postseason despite the NLDS lasting five games."

Nats AFL prospect: CF Daniel Johnson
"The Nationals continue to stockpile talented and speedy outfielders. Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson told me on 106.7 The Fan that [Daniel] Johnson fits into that mold for the Nats."

To be a fan in D.C. is to embrace heartache
"Five days after another knife was plunged into the hearts of Washington sports fans, I went to the scene of previous crimes, to see how some of the victims were doing."

Area man runs into known baseball player Michael A. Taylor at grocery store
Baseball players: They grocery shop too, shockingly.

What's next for Adam Eaton?
Adam Eaton was the sparkplug the Nats expected him to be for his first month with the team. You know what happens next, of course -- but assuming he can stay healthy, he'll get to take over left field, meaning the Nats will get a total defensive upgrade in addition to an upgrade at the top of the lineup.

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Red Alert: Manny Acta is a Mets' managerial candidate
*Chanting* ACTA IN THE NL EAST! ACTA IN THE NL EAST!

Syracuse Chiefs’ sale price to New York Mets is announced as $18 million
"The New York Mets will buy the Syracuse Chiefs for $18 million, the Chiefs announced Thursday."

Tigers trade ideas involving the Nats
Could Detroit add Erick Fedde by being willing to take on Matt Wieters' contract, which at this point feels like an albatross? It would give the Nats more spending money...