Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ MASN $ on hold as expected; Talk on Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon + more Nats links...

You didn’t think the Orioles’ ownership was just going to settle up with the Nationals and end the years-long MASN dispute, did you? Of course not, we’re all knowledgeable fans, with no illusions about how things work these days, right?

What should all we make of Ken Rosenthal’s suggestion that the Nats think that they have a better shot with Stephen Strasburg than Anthony Rendon? He also touches on all the other holes that will need to be filled before the 2020 campaign (and there are a bunch of them).

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Report: Nationals think they have a better shot at keeping Stephen Strasburg over Anthony Rendon - (NBC Sports Washington)
"'People with the Nationals seem to believe, and things can change, but they seem to think they have a better shot at Strasburg than Rendon,' [Ken Rosenthal] said on MLB Network Monday night."

MASN payment to Nats put on hold pending Orioles' appeal - (Washington Times)
"The Washington Nationals aren’t getting their more than $99 million payment from the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network quite yet."

Laugh at the funniest moments in Nats history - (MLB.com)
"The moment was instantly enhanced by the exasperated call of longtime radio broadcaster Charlie Slowes: 'What was Nook Logan thinking? What was he watching? Where was he going?'"

First time ever: Vote Nats onto All-MLB Team - (MLB.com)
"Who was the best player in baseball at each position during the 2019 season? On Monday, Major League Baseball revealed a plan to try and answer that question with the inaugural All-MLB Team."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

MLB rumors: New ‘highest bidder’ emerges for ex-Met Zack Wheeler - (nj.com)
"[Zack] Wheeler won’t set the market for pitchers, but he should cash in once the top arms in free agency, Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, sign on the dotted line."

Inside the Women’s Sports School’s first baseball scouting weekend – (The Athletic)
"The scout school’s premise was this: to provide an opportunity for women to learn what professional baseball scouts do — to learn about a career in sports, an industry in which women are wildly underrepresented."

Blue Jays sign A.J. Cole to bolster pitching depth - (Yahoo!Sports)
"The Toronto Blue Jays reportedly added another arm to their pitching staff on Monday, bringing right-hander A.J. Cole into the mix."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Scott Kingery gives Phillies multiple roster-building options. But what’s his best position? | Scott Lauber
"So, will the Phillies keep moving Kingery around next season, similar to how Kansas City uses Whit Merrifield or Ben Zobrist's decade-long role for various teams?"

Mets reportedly hire Hensley Meulens as bench coach - (Newsday)
"The Mets have apparently settled on new manager Carlos Beltran’s right-hand man, choosing former Yankees prospect Hensley Meulens as their bench coach, according to multiple reports."

Jeter seeking 'responsible' approach to roster - (MLB.com)
"The Marlins are open to making significant upgrades to their big league roster. But CEO Derek Jeter repeated on Monday night that any additions must fit into the long-term picture of where the club is headed."

Braves Say Yes to Travis d’Arnaud - (Fangraphs)
"The McCann/Flowers combo worked well because the lefty McCann and the righty Flowers could platoon. That won’t be the case next year, as d’Arnaud bats right-handed as well."