Wire Taps: Washington Nationals talk to Scott Boras at GM Meetings; Max Scherzer finishes third in Cy Young race + more...

Scott Boras held court at the GM Meetings yesterday, and the Washington Nationals met with the super-agent behind the scenes to talk Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon, so... what’s next for the Nats as they try to build their roster for the defense of their World Series crown? While we wait to find out, Go read your links:

NATS BEAT:

Scherzer Finishes 3rd in Cy Young voting:

Max Scherzer third in Cy Young - (Washington Times)
"Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets won his second straight National League Cy Young Award Wednesday night, with two Washington Nationals aces not far behind."

Scherzer finishes 3rd in NL Cy Young voting - (MLB.com)
"If not for the back injury that robbed Scherzer of about six weeks this summer and lingered throughout the second half, perhaps he could have won this award again."

Scherzer finishes third, Strasburg fifth in NL Cy Young vote - (MASN)
"Scherzer’s third place finish means he’s been in the top five in Cy Young Award voting for the seventh consecutive year..."

Scherzer finishes 3rd in NL Cy Young - (WTOP)
"Scherzer had a dominant first half of the 2019 season, but minor injuries limited him to 172.1 innings pitched, his lowest in 10 years."

Other Nats Stories:

Scott Boras discusses possible Nats returns of Anthony Rendon, Stephen Strasburg - (WaPost)
"If there is one agent who can dictate the Washington Nationals’ offseason, it’s Scott Boras."

Perfectly timed career year sets Rendon up for huge payday - (MASN)
"Folks around D.C. had known for a long time that Rendon is one of the best all-around players in baseball."

Sign-stealing in the World Series? The Nationals had a plan, just in case - (WaPost)
"'It’s the worst feeling in the world stepping on that mound and having an idea that that hitter knows what’s coming,' said Paul Menhart..."

LOCAL BEAT:

A cat videobombed Max Scherzer’s live MLB Network interview - (RMNB)
"During the segment, Max had an unexpected guest."

Devils Backbone releasing new brew celebrating Nationals’ World Series victory - (WFXRtv.com)
"A few weeks after the Washington Nationals won the World Series. Now, Devils Backbone Brewing Company is releasing a beer in honor of that win."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Best of the rest ... Who will be named MVP? - (MLB.com)
"[Rendon] collected an NL-leading 126 RBIs, captured the Sliver Slugger Award at third base and was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award."

Phillies move closer to hiring hitting coach, but could they lose staff to Gabe Kapler and Giants? - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"By all indications, that leaves Joe Dillon and Matt Stairs as the two finalists for the Phillies’ job, though it’s not uncommon for late candidates to emerge."

How the Rangers are walking down dual paths in free agency to fill a pressing need at third base - (Dallas Morning News)
"Rendon, who grew up in Houston, still lives there in the offseason and a return to Texas is said to be of interest to him. But, he’s already reportedly received a seven-year offer of more than $200 million to return to the Washington Nationals."

Cy Young counting error almost nets Max Scherzer $100K - (Yahoo!Sports)
"Per his contract, a second-place Cy Young finish was worth a $250,000 bonus for Scherzer."