Wire Taps: Former Washington Nationals’ skipper Dusty Baker talking to Houston Astros; Nats’ coaches + more...

So, there are more Dusty Baker stories out there right now than there are Nationals-related ones, but we collected whatever Washington baseball stories we could find from this past weekend to get you up to date on the latest Nats news as you start your week. It’s that real slow time of year where most of the moves have been made and everyone’s just waiting to get Spring Training started. We did what we could. We’re sorry.

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Davey Martinez on his No. 3 hitter, Zimmerman, Doolittle and the Astros - (MASN)
"[Trea] Turner, one of the fastest players in the sport, would make for an unconventional No. 3 hitter. But his .497 slugging percentage last season ranked 30th in the National League..."

Mike Rizzo shows off World Series trophy at Maryland basketball game - (NBC Sports Washington)
"General Manager Mike Rizzo showed off the silverware in College Park on Saturday during an intermission in the Maryland-Purdue college basketball game."

Nationals' bullpen outlook much brighter in 2020 - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals still have some questions to answer when it comes to the totality of their ‘pen, and [GM Mike] Rizzo has not shied away from in-season trades to enhance the relief corps."

Sean Doolittle's wife, Eireann Dolan, tweets about Astros' scandal - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Sean Doolittle's wife, Eireann Dolan, eviscerated the Houston Astros on Twitter Saturday afternoon in the wake of MLB's findings that the Astros systematically stole signs throughout the 2017 season..."

Returning coaches embrace change of roles - (MASN)
"The Nationals return all but one of the members of their World Series-winning coaching staff this season, with only assistant hitting coach Joe Dillon (who got the lead hitting coach’s position in Philadelphia) departing."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

The best new jersey to own on every team - (MLB.com)
"Nationals -- Eric Thames, No. 9: Nationals fans are about to learn just how much fun it is to cheer for Thames."

Dusty Baker, former Nationals manager, to interview with Astros - (Washington Times)
"Former Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker is in Houston to interview for the Astros’ managerial job."

Longtime Richmond Hill resident Menhart making the rounds as World Series champion - (Savannah Morning News)
"This has been a busy winter for Paul Menhart, but the longtime Richmond Hill resident isn’t complaining."

MLB players from Venezuela put a spotlight on their home country's crisis - (NBC News)
"Ramos, 32, was the victim of a harrowing ordeal in 2011, when he played for the Washington Nationals. The catcher was kidnapped in his hometown of Valencia..."

Who is the Highest-Paid Pitcher in Baseball in 2020? - (Sportscasting.com)
"The highest-paid player was Nationals’ starter Stephen Strasburg, and he’s still making top dollar."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies pitching prospect Zach Warren has a dirty car but a bright future - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"[Zach] Warren, 23, is one of a handful of left-handed relievers coming to big-league camp on non-roster invites."

Mets manager search: Dusty Baker hasn't heard from Van Wagenen - (NY Post)
“'I’m busy, I haven’t heard from anybody,' Baker told TV reporters in Houston on Sunday. 'First come, first served and everybody wants to feel that they are wanted.'"

Derek Jeter extends Marlins front office personnel through 2021 season - (Fish Stripes)
"According to Craig Mish on the latest Swings and Mishes episode, the Marlins have extended 'virtually all of [their] top-level front office staff' through the 2021 season."

Report: Braves agree to Minors deal with Rusin - (MLB.com)
"The Braves have agreed to a Minor League deal with left-hander Chris Rusin, according to a report from MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal."