Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Victor Robles back in action in Winter League; more Bryce Harper chatter because of course...

Sure, plenty of these “Nationals” links are only tangentially connected to the Washington Nationals, but it’s that time of year, and there is some interesting stuff in there, so quit all the complaining. Oh, you weren’t complaining? Sorry, we overreacted. Let’s try this little back and forth again tomorrow. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Victor Robles, other top Nationals prospects are back in action - (WaPost)
"Taylor Gushue, Phillips Valdez, Yadiel Hernandez, Jimmy Cordero, Raudy Read and Jacob Wilson also will play on Dominican League teams this winter."

Instructional league wrap-up: Adon, Peguero, Tetreault, Raquet - (MASN)
"The Nationals feel very good about a couple of young right-handed pitchers from the Dominican Republic who did a nice job at recent fall instructional league workouts."

Harper's eventful 2018 set the stage for eventful 2019 - (MASN)
"Everyone knew this was going to be an eventful and hugely significant season for Harper. Few could have foreseen just how eventful it would be, though."

Bryce Harper to the Dodgers? Looking at the chances Harper ends up in Los Angeles - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Dodgers are the Yankees of the West Coast (and, in reality, probably have more money to spend than the Evil Empire)."

Off-Season Position Discussion : Second Base - (Nationals Baseball)
"Quick. How many games did Difo start at 2nd base? 40? 60? Try 84. That in itself should tell you what a mess the position was in 2018."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Syracuse Chiefs renamed 'Syracuse Mets' - (WSTM)
"Goodbye, Syracuse Chiefs. Hello, Syracuse Mets. The Minor League Baseball franchise announced its new name..."

Arizona Fall League roundup for October 16 - (MLB.com)
"Nationals No. 23 prospect Luis Reyes tossed five scoreless innings of two-hit ball while giving up just two walks and striking out three..."

MLB rumors: Another reason Yankees' Brian Cashman might pass on signing Dodgers' Manny Machado - (NJ.com)
"Machado and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will dominate the free agency headlines following the World Series."

Dusty Baker’s winery to open tasting room near Bike Dog - (The Sacramento Bee)
"Sacramento native and former San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker’s winery will open a tasting room across from Bike Dog Brewing in a West Sacramento industrial park."

Scott Ramsay: From Hermiston to the major leagues - (The Hermiston Herald)
"Ramsay, who lives north of Spokane, is in his fifth year as a scout with the Washington Nationals."

Origin Stories of M.L.B. Team Names - (The New Yorker)
"Washington Nationals - The team started out as the staff intramural softball team for National Geographic."

Red-hot Hiura drives in five more AFL runs - (MiLB.com)
"Nationals No. 23 prospect Luis Reyes allowed two hits over five scoreless innings, striking out three and walking two, in a no-decision for Salt River."

Trois trésors sur le marché ? - (Le Journal de Montréal)
"I very much doubt that the Washington Nationals are interested in retaining [Bryce] Harper's services. Especially because of the arrival of young Juan Soto who is full of talent."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Luis Garcia, 17-year-old shortstop, is Phillies’ most exciting infield prospect - (Philly.com)
"Major changes at the minor-league level are taking shape now. The Phillies are searching for Joe Jordan's replacement after the director of player development resigned in early September."

The known list of Mets GM candidates is incomplete - (SNY)
"The Mets have interviewed more than the five candidates known in the first round of their search for a new head of baseball operations..."

Braves payroll will increase, but that doesn’t mean Harper or Machado - (AJC.com)
"They’re in a unique position. Their best players are under team control for multiple seasons. Their dead money is off the books. They’re still raking in the new-ballpark cash."