Wire Taps: Mike Rizzo & the Nationals’ checklist; Free-agent rankings; Nats AFL roundup

So, here we are: the offseason. The parade will be over by the end of the day, and then we wait a tantalizing month for any and all news. We can only hope that Bryce Harper signs early to get it over with.

Here’s the news from Nats Park:

Highlighting the final years (potentially) of Bryce Harper's career with the Nationals (Yahoo!)
If you want a comprehensive review of what Harper did since April 2017 — get in a brawl, hit a lot of homers, play in two All-Star Games, and win a Home Run Derby — then this is your post.

SI Free Agent Rankings: Harper slots in at number 2
Bryce Harper won't top Giancarlo's contract — but his young age certainly means good things for those bullish on Harper, and it looks like Harper will finally meet his destiny with the Yankees.

Biggest free-agent regret for all 30 MLB teams (MLB.com)
Matt Wieters was supposed to stabilize the catching position for the Nationals. Then he forgot how to hit. Then he forgot how to exist with a healthy body.

MLB's ranking of top 2018-19 free agents (MLB.com)
Harper is number two again, thanks to his rough first half — MLB, interestingly, doesn't even mention the Yankees.

Nationals offseason priorities: What are the top items on Mike Rizzo’s checklist? (WaPo)
If 2018 was the season that defined these Nationals, the 2018-19 offseason is what will truly make or break the team. Mike Rizzo has plenty of questions – including what he'll do about Harper, the rotation, the catching position, and many other positions.

Arizona Fall League roundup for October 30 (MLB.com)
Daniel Johnson got a hit! And the pitchers were good! World Series of AFL, here we come!

Hard work rehabbing pays off for Joe Ross (District on Deck)
Joe Ross got healthy, and he wasn't objectively terrible when he returned. That in and of itself is a win.