Wire Taps: Will Matt Wieters return to Washington? Nationals’ catching corps + more...

Initial reports on Friday, quoting anonymous sources, said Matt Wieters would exercise his $10.5M player option and return for a second season in D.C. Subsequent reports on the decision for the 31-year-old backstop, including one quoting Wieters’ agent, Scott Boras, said no decision has been made. So will the veteran catcher come back to D.C. in 2018? In disputing the original reports, Boras told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that what his client, “... does for a pitching staff is off the charts & in great demand." What he did at the plate last season, however... well, “... what he does for a pitching staff is off the charts & in great demand." Boras didn’t say that last part, of course. On to the links... Also, don’t forget, the AFL Fall Stars Game is on the MLB Network tonight... and on MLB.com.

NATS BEAT:

Matt Wieters intends to exercise 2018 option
"Matt Wieters intends to exercise his 2018 player option and remain with the Nationals, according to a source, though the catcher's agent says a final decision has not been made."

New managers bring change to National League East landscape
"Also, the Nationals will have to decide if they’ll go after Brandon Kintzler, a closer with Minnesota before the Twins traded him to Washington July so that he could be used in a setup role."

Does Martinez hiring signal an analytical shift for Nationals?
"General manager Mike Rizzo, a scout’s scout if ever there was one, is just as quick nowadays to mention a player’s WAR, launch angle or spin rate as any Ivy Leaguer running another club’s baseball operations department."

10 storylines to watch this MLB offseason
"Will Washington GM Mike Rizzo look to supplement the roster for one last run at a championship before potentially losing Harper? Stay tuned."

How will Roark bounce back from an erratic season?
"Roark’s year may well have been defined more by when he didn’t pitch than when he did."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

For big-market MLB managers, being good just isn’t good enough
"Well, at least for big-market teams such as the Nationals, Red Sox, and Yankees, just being good won’t cut it anymore."

A’s Prospect Jesus Luzardo Has a Healthy Elbow and High Ceiling
"And then there’s Jesus Luzardo, whose ceiling would be best described as 'lofty.'"

2017 team-by-team guide to AFL's Fall Stars
"The top-ranked player in this year's Fall League, Robles was assigned to the Fall League after he finished the season on Washington's NLDS roster..."

Which team will be the next to win its first World Series?
"The questions: 1. Can they finally win the NLDS; and 2. Is 2018 their last chance?"