Wire Taps: Nationals acquire Kyle Barraclough from Marlins; Giants think Bryce Harper likes San Francisco...

There was actual news yesterday! And lots of links! New reliever alert! Kyle Barraclough is a National now, after Washington acquired the right-hander from Miami’s Marlins in return for international slot value. Check out all the stories and takes on the deal in today’s links...

NATS BEAT:

Nats acquire reliever Barraclough from Marlins for slot money - (MASN)
"The Nationals for now know they’ll have Sean Doolittle back as closer next season. Barraclough joins a group of returning relievers including Wander Suero, Justin Miller and Matt Grace, but the club is expected to pursue more bullpen arms over the course of the winter."

Kyle Barraclough traded to Nationals - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals began revamping their bullpen on Wednesday, one of the vital keys for trying to bounce back from a disappointing 2018 season."

Nationals get a head start on bullpen rebuild, trade for Marlins reliever Kyle Barraclough - (WaPost)
"The Washington Nationals are not wasting time piecing together a bullpen for 2019, as they acquired reliever Kyle Barraclough from the Miami Marlins on Wednesday..."

Instructional league wrap-up: RHP Wil Crowe - (MASN)
"The 2017 top selection for the Nats, right-hander Wil Crowe won his first 11 decisions in 16 games (15 starts) with high Single-A Potomac, recording a 2.69 ERA."

Will pressure of free agency bother unflappable [Anthony] Rendon? - (MASN)
"Rendon did miss three weeks early on after fracturing a bone when he fouled a pitch off his left foot, but his performance didn’t suffer from it."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Washington Nationals named Fresno Grizzlies MLB baseball affiliate - (The Fresno Bee)
"Fresno Grizzlies president Derek Franks announces the Washington Nationals as the new Fresno Grizzlies MLB affiliate at a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 in Fresno."

Bryce Harper's social posts about San Francisco show Giants might have a shot - (Yahoo!Sports.com)
"There are a lot of reasons why the Giants are a poor fit for one of the best outfielders to ever hit free agency, but team officials believe there are also real reasons why Bryce Harper will consider settling down at AT&T Park."

Nationals brass: Minor leaguers have better chance to win in Fresno - (The Business Journal)
"Washington Nationals General Manager Bob Boone donned the Fresno Tacos hat Wednesday at a Chukchansi Park press conference to commemorate the new two-year player development contract." - [ed. note - "Sorry, Rizzo."]:

Each MLB team's greatest postseason moment - (MLB.com)
"Nationals: Jayson Werth's 2012 NLDS walk-off, Oct. 11, 2012. After this, there was nothing but pain."

Marlins' Trades Even Playing Field For Victor Victor Mesa - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"The specific amount that the Nationals sent to the Marlins in order to acquire the final three years of club control over Barraclough isn’t clear, but in order for the Marlins to be within striking distance, it’d have to be substantial."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Scott Kingery recounts ‘daily struggle’ to find swing during dismal rookie season for Phillies - (Philly.com)
"To be honest," Kingery said after the 2018 Phillies played their final game, "I don't know what happened this year."

Chaim Bloom interviews for Mets GM job - (MLB.com)
"Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom interviewed with the Mets this week and Indians GM Mike Chernoff is also expected to interview, multiple sources confirmed."

Marlins trade Barraclough, acquire money to offer prospect - (Miami Herald)
"The Marlins upped the ante in their pursuit of highly coveted Cuban prospect Victor Victor Mesa by trading reliever Kyle Barraclough to the Washington Nationals..."

Which Braves pitchers should return in 2019? - (AJC.com)
"Of the eight youngest pitchers to start a game in the majors this season, five were Braves."