Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ depth chart; bullpen needs + more, including Bryce Harper and Sean Doolittle Twitter ❤️...

The Hot Stove season is going on so long the players have taken to Twitter to discuss how slowly things are moving this winter. Will the flurry of signings that’s going to follow in the next few weeks bury those memories?

Are we headed for an interesting couple of years as the discussions about the next CBA draw closer?

One thing we know: Mike Rizzo and Co. in the Nationals’ front office didn’t get the memo about not spending this offseason... Go read your links:

NATS BEAT:

Two more lefty relievers come off the board - (MASN)
"If the Nationals intend to acquire another left-hander for their bullpen before spring training, they’d better hurry. The ranks of available arms are beginning to thin out."

Best tools on 2019 Top 100 Prospects list - (MLB.com)
"[Victor] Robles has the best all-around tools on the Top 100, a package that includes plus hitting ability to go with plus-plus defense and arm strength and nearly top-of-the-scale speed."

Looking at the Nationals' current depth chart - (MASN)
"We’ve examined how the Nationals’ 25-man roster might look if it was assembled today, a useful exercise during the winter to gauge what, if any, holes still remain."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Oakland A's FanFest: Billy Beane outlines remaining offseason priorities - (The San Francisco Examiner)
"As for catching, Oakland is looking for a mid-level, platoon-type receiver, which rules out free agent Matt Wieters, who made $10.5 million last season for the Washington Nationals."

Willie Harris back as manager of Richmond Flying Squirrels for 2019 - (Augusta Free Press)
"Willie Harris will return in 2019 for his second season as the manager of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the team announced on Friday."

All-Star Sean Doolittle Calls Out MLB Teams for Not Signing Remaining Big Free Agents - (12up)
"Some players are getting tired of these shenanigans. Washington Nationals All-Star reliever Sean Doolittle took to Twitter to rant about the difficult situations facing free agents."

Could White Sox sign both Machado and Harper? 'It might not be the strongest move for us' - (NBC Sports Chicago)
"The White Sox are in on Manny Machado. The White Sox are in on Bryce Harper. Are they in on both of them?"

Nationals Sign Luis Sardinas - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"The Nationals have signed infielder Luis Sardinas to a minor league contract, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports."

MLB's Top 100 Prospects list for 2019 - (MLB.com)
"[Victor] Robles [No. 4] has been a staple in MLB Pipeline's Top 100 since 2016, when he first cracked the rankings at No. 63."

Mailbag! (Nationals Arm Race)
What can Dave Martinez change heading into next year? (Bullpen management!) Will the Nats add any more relievers? (Only if they sign Harper.) And is it time to expect the Robles breakout? (Yes.)

Oh Look, An Owner Of An MLB Team Has Brought Up Another Excuse To Not Pay Bryce Harper Or Manny Machado Their Worth (Deadspin)
Jim Crane, who owns the Houston Astros, is worth $2.5 billion — but he thinks that he can't afford another ten-year deal because they're impractical (which, to be fair, when given to Albert Pujols, they are).

Former Phillies prospect remembers that All-Star Game with Bryce Harper and Manny Machado (Philly.com)
Jim Murphy was 25 years old when he played in a minor league All-Star game alongside Harper and Machado, and thought that Harper's antics with clothing and kiss-blowing were pretty funny back in the day.

MLB series to look forward to in 2019 season (MLB.com)
"The real answer here is: The first series against Bryce Harper's new team if he signs elsewhere. Until we know if that's happening, we'll go with Patrick Corbin's first chance to pitch against his former team. It's a four-game set with a day off before it starts, so it's likely he'll take the mound."

Hey, look, Nats cookies! (We’ll take eight, please and thanks.)