Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ catching needs; Nats’ lack of urgency; Spring Training almost here...

So... have the Nationals added that catcher everyone in Washington wants yet? Have they? Fifth (or third starter)? Hmmm? Have they? Another reliever? Maybe a veteran? How about that? Anything happen in the last 24 hours? Anything? It’s one slow, slow winter. While you wait for something else to happen, read some links...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals focusing on World Series run in 2018
"Only one team in all of baseball (the Dodgers) has won more regular-season games than the Nationals have during the past five seasons."

Nats know they need better production from catchers in 2018
"Recognizing the need for improvement out of the catching position, the Nats pursued several alternate options this winter."

Former GM O'Dowd on Juan Soto and Carter Kieboom
“'I’ve watched video on Soto and read the reports,' O’Dowd said. 'I don’t know if he’s in Robles’ class as it relates to the defensive and baserunning capabilities, but prototypical right fielder, probably more power over bat at this stage of his career.'"

Time for a Nats Bullpen Cart
"I haven’t tackled the issue of the speed of play on this blog because I just don’t really care that much about it."

Why the Nationals should do what it takes to trade for the Marlins' J.T. Realmuto
"The Nationals' sense of organizational urgency is such that they parted ways with the veteran manager, Dusty Baker, who guided them to 97 wins and a division title in 2017."

Once a weakness, revamped 'pen enters spring as strength
"Undeniably the club’s biggest weakness through the first half of the 2017, the Nationals bullpen morphed into one of its true strengths by season’s end."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

The Nationals’ Lack of Urgency Is a Problem for the Marlins
"It’s no secret the Nationals would like Realmuto. Reportedly, they’d be open to trading Carter Kieboom and Erick Fedde."

10 Questions: After recovering from World Series hangover, who will lead the Cubs clubhouse? [ATHLETIC SUB ONLY]
"Do you believe in the team that surged in September and knocked the Washington Nationals out of the playoffs?"

The Mets can be a 2018 contender if they spend in free agency
"Two seasons after reaching the World Series, the Mets were unwatchable in 2017."

There are still enough unsigned MLB free agents to field a competitive team
"The Washington Nationals, meanwhile, have one more year before Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy hit free agency and added no new catchers after getting the worst production in the league from the spot in 2017."

In slow market, Boras says MLB needs more incentive to win
"J.D. Martinez, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Jake Arrieta, all Boras clients, remain unsigned 10 days before spring training in a historically slow market."

NL EAST UPDATES:

10 dark horse Cy Young candidates for 2018
"1. Aaron Nola, Phillies RHP - It seems to be a matter of when the 24-year-old right-hander wins a Cy Young Award, not if."

Todd Frazier to the NY Mets: 5 things to know
"Frazier is a strong defender, and ranked fourth in the majors last season by saving 10 runs at third base, according to fangraphs.com."

Marlins offer enhanced benefits to season-ticket plans
"The Miami Marlins are getting creative with new enhancements to encourage season-ticket sales..."

Braves' Alex Anthopoulos rebuilding patiently
"By dealing Kemp to the Dodgers in December, the Braves gained enviable financial flexibility for next winter at the expense of erasing nearly all of the financial flexibility that would have existed during this offseason."