It’s finally here! The “unidentified” or “mystery” team has finally gotten involved in the Bryce Harper drama! And there may be more than one “unidentified” or “mystery” team! OMG! It’s so exciting! There’s finally an “unidentified” or “mystery” team! That means it has to be really close to wrapping up, right? Please say, “Right!” Please? Whatever, go read your links...
NATS BEAT:
Bryce Harper meeting 'unidentified team' in Las Vegas - (106.7 The Fan)
"Bryce Harper couldn't have been signing with the Phillies as was widely rumored on Tuesday, because, Chris Russell reports, Harper is meeting with 'an unidentified team' in his hometown of Las Vegas on Thursday."
"From what I understand, it's not just one other team that's getting involved in this," @Russellmania621 said of Bryce Harper. #Nats #Phillies #Dbacks https://t.co/zTTwzIkYS3
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) January 31, 2019
Carter Kieboom's path to Majors is at second - (MLB.com)
"If Kieboom begins tearing up Minor League pitching this year and adjusts to second base quickly, perhaps he could make his way to D.C. as soon as this summer."
Where do the Nats fit in first win total projections? - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Despite Bryce Harper and Manny Machado still floating in the ether, oddsmakers have weighed in with their first round of win total projections for the 2019 MLB season."
Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies unveil new look - (MASN)
"Team president Derek Franks explained the decision to have colors independent of the Nationals."
The Fresno Grizzlies’ new look is not tied to the Nationals. That’s important to them - (WaPost)
“'To be with the Nationals is a great thing for us. We hope it turns into a great thing for them despite the couple geographical challenges there are, but this re-brand is all about the Grizzlies and Fresno,' [Grizzlies' Media Relations ManagerPaul] Braverman said Monday."
2018 contributors Holland, Reynolds sign with NL West clubs - (MASN)
"The Nationals scooped up Holland in August on a minimum-salary deal, and he proceeded to turn everything around and become a valuable late-inning reliever for them down the stretch."
Report: Former Nationals manager Frank Robinson in poor health - (wusa9.com)
"Former Nationals and Orioles manager Frank Robinson is poor health, and has spent the past several months in hospice according to USA Today."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Texas Rangers: 5 things to know about new Rangers reliever Shawn Kelley, including his unceremonious exit from the Nationals - (SportsDay)
"Washington designated Kelley for assignment and traded him to Oakland in August after he gave a temperamental display on the mound."
Ranking the worst current contracts on all 30 teams - (ESPN)
"[Stephen] Strasburg certainly is effective when he's healthy, but he has qualified for the ERA title just once in the past four seasons, and [Patrick] Corbin will have to prove 2018 wasn't a fluke."
IMPORTANT pic.twitter.com/i6Mejiyove
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) January 30, 2019
Former Pitcher Micah Bowie Believes MLBPA Leadership Needs To Do Better For Former Players - (Forbes)
"What you need to know about Micah Bowie is that he's struggling every single day just to stay alive, and the leaders in the Major League Baseball Players Association don't seem to care."
Veteran Mark Reynolds Could Add Power To The Rockies' Bench - (Forbes)
"The Rockies signed free agent Daniel Murphy, a teammate last year of [Mark] Reynolds’ with the Nationals, to a two-year, $24 million contract to play first base."
Versatile Mark Reynolds, who batted .274 with a .354 OBP for the #Rockies in 2016 and 2017, tells me he is returning to Colorado on a Minor League contract with a Major League #SpringTraining invite.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) January 30, 2019
Sleeper MLB MVP candidates for 2019 - (MLB.com)
"If [Bryce] Harper does leave, but the Nationals still contend, that'll be in large part because of Rendon, who could finally get the credit for being the Nats' best position player he has deserved all along."
NL EAST UPDATES:
Phillies GM Matt Klentak discusses Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, 2019 offseason in exclusive interview - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Matt Klentak sat down with our Phillies insider, Jim Salisbury, Wednesday afternoon to discuss Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the speed of free agency and a week filled with social media hysteria."
Brodie Van Wagenen takes BP, challenges GMs to HR derby - (NY Post)
"The new Mets general manager — who started in right field for Stanford during the 1993 and 1994 seasons — showed he still can swing the bat in a video he posted on Twitter on Wednesday."
Fredi Gonzalez returns to school while coaching Marlins
"In a story published Wednesday, Gonzalez revealed his decision to enroll in classes at Immaculata University in Philadelphia and opened up on his attempt to balance his MLB coaching duties with school as he pursues his degree."
Q&A: Touki Toussaint on beating the yips, practicing Pilates - (AJC)
"Braves pitcher Touki Toussaint met with the media at Chop Fest on Jan. 19 at SunTrust Park."
Mike Rizzo joins @FightinHydrant for a drive around DC and a conversation about the 2019 #Nats...
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 30, 2019
This is Runs Driven In with @CocaCola! pic.twitter.com/yfJI0loZcl