Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Sean Doolittle on ESPN’s top players lists...

Max Scherzer earned his second straight NL Cy Young award earlier this winter, and as ESPN’s Buster Olney noted in ranking the right-hander as the top starter in baseball, a third career Cy Young, “... probably assured himself of election to the Hall of Fame one day.”

Scherzer talked last month about his reaction when he learned he’d received the most votes among National League pitchers for the second consecutive year.

“Incredibly honored and humbled for the writers to select me again,” Scherzer said.

“I know there were great candidates and it takes a lot of people you have to thank when you do this. You first thank all your teammates. You have to have run support to get wins, what they do at the plate, what they do on defense, and then your bullpen guys to be able to go out there and shut the door, so it’s a team effort in what goes into that.

“And then, honestly, battling all the nagging injuries, the training staff as well, they had a huge hand in keeping me on the field, so there are a lot of people.”

That Max is a good egg. Good read the links now, including Olney’s rankings of the top starters and relievers in baseball...

NATS BEAT:

Michael A. Taylor out to show '17 was no fluke
"Washington had been waiting for this sort of performance from Taylor since his Major League debut in 2014."

Nationals pitching coach Derek Lilliquist on working with Max Scherzer, more
"When Nationals pitchers were asked what they knew about the 51-year-old Lilliquist last month at Winterfest, they admitted not much. Most had talked to him for the first time just that weekend."

Nats pitching prospect spotlight: Ben Braymer
"Braymer said the changeup was his main focus at instructional league and a pitch he would like to refine into 2018."

Washington Nationals: Craig Stammen reunion worth considering
"For whatever reason, many of the fan favorites on the early Washington Nationals teams resided in the bullpen."

Looking at stat projections for the Nats lineup
"With only a handful of exceptions, the same group of players that won 97 games last season is going to be back and making another run at it this season."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Job Posting: Washington Nationals 2018 Research & Development Internship
"Contribute to the Washington Nationals Baseball Operations for the 2018 season as one of our highly valued interns."

Buster Olney's top 10 starting pitchers: MLB's aces aren't extinct yet
"By winning his second consecutive Cy Young Award in 2017 and his third overall, Scherzer has probably assured himself of election to the Hall of Fame one day..."

Buster Olney's top 10 relievers: Aroldis Chapman falls, even as Yankees' bullpen rises
"In an era in which hitters have worked to changed their launch angles and get low pitches into the air, Doolittle cuts up hitters in the upper part of the strike zone with his fastball..."

Adam Eaton's son has adorable hockey skills and knows how to celebrate
"Brayden Eaton, the toddler son of Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton, already seems to be showing some virtuosity at hockey."

Adam Lind could be a useful bat at first base
"Despite the Nationals declined Lind’s $5 million mutual option and opted to pay him $500,000 in a buyout. Washington wasted little time filling his role, signing Matt Adams to a one-year deal worth at least $4 million."

Florida Sports Tourism: Recycling Old Pro Ballparks
"Space Coast Stadium and the adjoining Barger Complex never comprised the cushiest of spring-training facilities for the Florida Marlins, Montreal Expos and Washington Nationals."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Inside Derek Jeter’s ‘Project Wolverine’: Payrolls to rise in 2021
"The payroll plans are included in Jeter’s Project Wolverine, a financial document that was given to potential Jeter investors and subsequently shared with The Miami Herald by two sources."

Phillies announce non-roster invitees to camp
"Pedro Florimon, Will Middlebrooks and a Lehigh University alum are among 10 players the Phillies signed to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training as non-roster invitees."

Braves interested in Marlins' Yelich, Realmuto
"The Braves have contacted the Marlins to express interest in trading for outfielder Christian Yelich and catcher J.T. Realmuto, sources said."

Mets’ Steven Matz feels ‘very blessed’ after recent marriage
"I feel very blessed,’’ Matz said Wednesday from Nashville. “It really is amazing that I made it to the major leagues and I’ve got a wonderful wife.”