Wire Taps: Nationals and Orioles’ MASN dispute could end this week; Juan Soto and Ronald Acuña, Jr.’s friendship; More Bryce Harper rumors...

Welcome to the bad part of November: when players want to “hang out” with their “families” instead of thinking about important things, like contracts.

Here’s the scoop from South Capitol:

The Nationals-Orioles MASN dispute could finally end this week (WaPo)
The Nationals have spent years waiting for money from MASN. They have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. This week, it could all finally come to a close, providing a neat and tidy ending to the affair — providing the Orioles don't call foul play again and appeal the decision until the courts finally shut them down.

The Soto-Acuña rivalry is just getting started (MASN)
"Rarely do you see two exceptionally young rookies burst onto the scene at the same time like these two did this season, and it’s even rarer when they happen to play for the top two teams in the same division. Acuña is going to be the face of the Braves for a while (with obvious assistance from Freddie Freeman) and Soto is going to be the face of the Nationals for a while (if Bryce Harper signs elsewhere, that is)."

Ronald Acuna, Juan Soto bond during Japan tour (MLB.com)
Soto and Acuña have become the best of friends this season and in their offseason tour of Japan — the two have a clear level of respect for each other and a clear level of camaraderie. Also, Acuña has a crush on Soto’s cousin.

Here's how the Nationals outfield could sustain the loss of Bryce Harper (NBC Sports Washington)
"If the Nationals can’t re-sign Bryce Harper, don't expect them to go searching for a high-priced free agent like Michael Brantley to replace him... but there's upsides to known quantities like Brantley."

A case for each NL Cy Young finalist (MLB.com)
"Another win would put Scherzer in even more rarefied territory, but deGrom will enter this announcement as the favorite. Scherzer's 2.53 ERA is good, but it doesn't approach deGrom's historic 1.70 mark, which makes him the favorite."

Predicting 2019 Rookie of the Year candidates (MLB.com)
"Robles was on this list a year ago, but injuries slowed him and Juan Soto passed him by up to Washington. Even though he played just 52 games in the Minors, he did make an impact in the big leagues last year and his tools will definitely play in the Nats' outfield, where he should get the chance to play alongside Soto all year."

Arizona Fall League roundup for November 11 (MLB.com)
Carter Kieboom went 4-for-5, while Tres Barrera went 1-for-5.