Wire Taps: Bryce Harper decision coming soon? Please? Sean Doolittle has thoughts + other Nationals links...

So, if you believe the Twitter account for MLB The Show, there might be an announcement coming soon that answers the Bryce Harper question once and for all. They’ve been teasing all winter that their 2019 cover will feature Harper wearing whichever uniform he’ll wear for the 2019 campaign (and for like the next decade or so most likely), and they ramped things up yesterday with the following tweet:

Harper’s teammate in Washington for the last season and a half, Sean Doolittle, took the opportunity to follow that up with a totally D.C. take on the tease:

Where will Harper be taking his talents? Harper 2020? Will we really learn where he’s decided to play from a video game Twitter feed? That would be so Harper.

Also, as you’ll see below, someone has bats with Harper’s name and a Phillies logo on them, which is like all the proof you need ...

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Why some fans think Bryce Harper's big announcement is coming Tuesday - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Is the never-ending Bryce Harper sweepstakes finally coming to an end this week? If the official MLB The Show account is to be believed, the answer might be yes."

Bryce Harper may never sign, so enjoy these simulations of his 2019 season on every team - (WaPost)
"Like the rest of the baseball world, the developers and marketers of PlayStation’s 'MLB The Show 19' video game are waiting anxiously to find out which uniform Bryce Harper will be wearing this season."

How Nats pitchers are projected to perform in 2019 - (MASN)
"Today we’ll look at those projections for the Nationals pitching staff. Fair warning: This one trends more toward the pessimistic end of the spectrum."

How Nats position players are projected to hit in 2019 - (MASN)
"So, what does Steamer think of the 2019 Nationals? Here’s a look at its projections for the prominent position players, along with my own thoughts on those projections..."

What do the Nationals listed in MLB's top 100 prospects have in common? None are pitchers - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Washington president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo has turned the franchise into an annual contender through hard-to-obtain balance."

Mills, Pena and Bourque keep moving up to lift minor league bullpens - (MASN)
"Right-handers Ronald Pena and James Bourque and left-hander Jordan Mills all did so well in helping high Single-A Potomac, they were moved up to Double-A Harrisburg."

Sean Doolittle's biggest pet peeve? Baseball's never-ending hot stove - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle is just like us."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Where the Bryce Harper and Manny Machado markets stand with the Phillies, White Sox and others in pursuit - (CBSSports.com)
”Although the Nationals have been among the most active teams of the winter and although they’re not desperate for outfield help (Adam Eaton, Juan Soto, and 2019 NL Rookie of the Year short-lister Victor Robles are all in the fold), they’re not out on bringing Harper back.”

Each MLB club's projected closer for 2019 - (MLB.com)
:Remember a few years back when 'who would close?' used to be an annual question for the Nationals? Well, not anymore."

Nationals rotation to be a strength in 2019 - (MLB.com)
"The rotation is also near the top of the list of reasons why the Nationals felt they underachieved last year, after their 4.03 combined starter's ERA ranked ninth in the National League."

Which 2018 playoff team is most likely to miss out this year? - (ESPN)
"The Braves added Josh Donaldson, but the Mets and Washington Nationals also have made significant additions, and the Philadelphia Phillies could still land Machado or Harper on top of Andrew McCutchen and David Robertson..."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Photos of Bryce Harper Phillies bats appeared on Twitter — here's why - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Be prepared. A photo of a pair of custom Bryce Harper bats that bear the Phillies' logo and No. 34 on it was posted from the mega free agent’s bat company of choice, Victus."

Marlins to have outfield competition in 2019 - (MLB.com)
"None of the three starting outfield spots are set, but center fielder Lewis Brinson might be the closest to a sure bet. Still, the 24-year-old will have to earn it."

Jacob deGrom and David Wright were among the honorees at the BBWAA dinner - (Amazin' Avenue)
"As the 2018 Cy Young award recipient, Jacob deGrom accepted the award from Dwight Gooden, who said he was cheering for deGrom to win the award but not to pass his ERA mark of 1.53."

Mike Soroka ready to contribute in 2019 - (MLB.com)
"When MLB Pipeline released its 2019 rankings on Saturday, Soroka remained the top prospect in the Braves' talent-rich system."