Wire Taps: Nationals’ rumored interest in Patrick Corbin; Bryce Harper chatter; MASN update...

Will the Nationals turn to Patrick Corbin to fill the rotation void left by Gio Gonzalez’s move to the Brewers and now free agency? Will the Lerners be willing to go to 10/$350-$400 if it ends up being what it takes to bring Bryce Harper back? Are you going to be watching this afternoon’s Arizona Fall League title game, which includes all the Nats’ prospects out in the AFL? Get caught up on the latest Nationals news ... Right Now!!

NATS BEAT:

Which Washington Nationals might show up on 2019 MLB awards ballots? - (NBC Sports Washington)
"He may have fallen short this season, but Scherzer is pretty clearly still the National with the best chance of winning a major award next season."

Inbox: Will Nationals extend Anthony Rendon? - (MLB.com)
"I think the Nationals are going to have further discussions with Rendon and his agent, Scott Boras, about a potential contract extension this offseason and make every effort to keep him in D.C. for the long term."

Nats instructional league wrap-up: catchers and an outfielder - (MASN)
"Nationals hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich updated us on [Alex] Dunlap, [Geraldi] Diaz, [Onix] Vega and [Wilmer] Perez."

The Nationals need a left-handed rotation piece; Why Patrick Corbin is their best option - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals have a hole at their No. 3 spot in the rotation. It was formerly occupied by a left-handed curiosity named Gio Gonzalez."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Phillies, Yankees, Nationals eye rotation help - (MLB.com)
"Left-hander Patrick Corbin is viewed as the top available starter by most in the industry, and he's drawing interest from the Yankees, Phillies and Nationals, among others."

Each team's top 2019 Rookie of Year candidate - (MLB.com)
"That Robles is the club's projected Opening Day center fielder at the moment makes him a preseason ROY favorite in the NL."

Hiura, Nevin to play in AFL Championship - (MLB.com)
"Peoria and Salt River will meet for the AFL championship at 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local time), with the game broadcast live on MLB Network and MLB.com."

Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals finish arguments in TV dispute rehearing - (ESPN)
"The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles finished their arguments in a two-day rehearing before a committee of baseball executives in their long-running dispute over television rights fees."

Buster's MLB Buzz -- Yasmani Grandal's ugly Octobers could scare away potential suitors - (ESPN)
"Last winter, the Marlins insisted the Braves include Ronald Acuna Jr. in any Realmuto deal, and asked for Victor Robles from the Nationals -- and this fall, rival evaluators report, Miami's demands for Realmuto are even higher."

Toolshed: 40-man roster protection preview - (MiLB.com)
"[Jose] Marmolejos and [Drew] Ward are two bat-first position players who likely didn't hit enough to make themselves Rule 5 bait."

BRYCE HARPER BEAT:

Bryce Harper’s awful 2018 defensive stats don’t mean he’s a bad defender - (For The Win)
"I guess you could say Bryce Harper’s defensive stats in 2018 are… for the birds."

Inside Baseball MLB Notes: Realmuto market could be as hot as Machado's and Harper's - (Fancred)
"The $300-million offer to Bryce Harper looks more and more like window dressing the more you look at it."

Bryce Harper: Yankees, Phillies and other predictions - (SI.com)
"The Nationals already put $300 million on the table, so they need to find another $5 million per year (it may take creatively deferred money) to make Harper the highest paid player ever."

MLB rumors: Who is Yankees' competition for Bryce Harper? Nationals? Phillies? White Sox? - (NJ.com)
"His agent, Scott Boras, is using the 13-year, $325 million contract extension Giancarlo Stanton signed with the Miami Marlins in 2014 as a starting point for Harper..."

Baseball front offices should beware of Bryce Harper - (WaPost)
"As I see it, if the Nationals’ ownership will be spending between $30 million and $40 million each year for 10 years, it should be on starting pitching and upgrades at other positions."

Placing Free Agent Bryce Harper In Historical Perspective - (Forbes)
"Some detractors have held this against Harper, claiming that he isn't a true superstar, despite six All Star berths, and Rookie of the Year and MVP awards on his mantel."