Wire Taps: Washington Nationals & the second base market; market for Bryce Harper + more...

Winterfest is over. The Winter Meetings are done. Washington’s Nationals occasionally put a deal together around the holidays, so maybe there will be some big news in the next weeks, but will it be about a second baseman, another starter, something that surprises us all? Take your time reading the links below while we wait for the next big story...

NATS BEAT:

As Nationals mull second base options, there’s ‘mutual interest’ with Josh Harrison - (WaPost)
"Washington General Manager Mike Rizzo has had two brief meetings with Harrison’s representation, the first in San Diego and the second at baseball’s annual winter meetings in Las Vegas last week."

Ask Boswell: Redskins, Nationals and Washington sports - (WaPost)
"The teams with ROOM to take a big run at Harper are not the teams in towns where you'd guess that he would want to play or the teams are not contenders (and may not BECOME contenders, no matter what they say to Bryce)..."

Nats top prospects: No. 9 - SS Yasel Antuna - (MASN)
"The Nationals were thrilled a couple of years ago when they were able to sign international prospects Yasel Antuna and Luis Garcia. Both have made it to the top 10 on the 2019 Nats prospects list per Baseball America."

Nationals may be in market for second baseman - (MLB.com)
"DJ LeMahieu is considered the top free-agent second baseman, and the Nationals have reportedly had several conversations with his representatives."

There’s precedent for Bryce Harper leaving Washington. It happened 84 years ago - (WaPost)
"With serious money on the table, Washington reluctantly parted with the face of the franchise — an all-star and future Hall of Famer — reasoning it was the best move for the team in the long run."

Infielder from Murphy trade is player to be named in Gomes deal - (MASN)
"The Nationals completed their trade for Yan Gomes today when they announced minor league infielder Andruw Monasterio as the player to be named in their deal with the Indians."

Without Tanner Roark, where do the Nationals go from here? - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals created a gap by sending out Tanner Roark on the final day of the meetings. The move was, and remains, strange."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Allure of the 2019-20 free-agent class; Yanks shopping Andújar?; Happ’s confidence; more notes – (The Athletic)
"The Dodgers are widely rumored to be in on Harper, but the reality, according to major-league sources, is that they do not want him on a long-term, record-setting contract."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies have lots of ways to improve - (MLB.com)
"The Phillies will host Manny Machado on Thursday in Philadelphia, and sometime in the future, they may host Bryce Harper, too."

NY Mets add right-handed power by signing Wilson Ramos - (NorthJersey.com)
"The Mets have added their second big bat of the offseason by agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with catcher Wilson Ramos."

How good is J.T. Realmuto and who needs him most? - (ESPN)
"While the Mets have reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with free-agent catcher Wilson Ramos, that still leaves the Dodgers, Reds, Rays and other teams involved in the Realmuto sweepstakes."

Inbox: Will Braves renew Realmuto trade talks? - (MLB.com)
"Maybe the Dodgers will eventually give the Marlins the value they seek. Or maybe the Marlins eventually circle back to the Braves, who have 10 prospects (seven pitchers) on MLB Pipeline's list."

As Nationals mull second base options, there’s ‘mutual interest’ with Josh Harrison - (WaPost)
"Washington General Manager Mike Rizzo has had two brief meetings with Harrison’s representation, the first in San Diego and the second at baseball’s annual winter meetings in Las Vegas last week."