Wire Taps: Will Washington Nationals try for Nolan Arenado if he wants out of Colorado? Hall of Fame stories + more Nats links...

Gerardo Parra was all over the place in the nation’s capital in the last 48 hours, and he told NBC Sports Washington that he’d like to come back to Nationals Park to throw out the first pitch at the home opener in 2020, though he’ll be playing in Japan this year.

It would be a nice gesture to have him back, though it would hurt our plans to completely move on from the Parra Shark stuff, though we’re guessing it will linger in D.C. like Take on Me.

There was a Hall of Fame announcement last night too, congrats Larry and Derek. One day that will include some Nationals who might actually make it. Not yet though.

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Parra Beat:

Nationals hunt for ways to maintain Gerardo Parra’s mojo without him - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Parra is off to Japan after an immediate offer from the Yomiuri Giants following the World Series. He circled back with Mike Rizzo first because he wanted to return."

Gerardo Parra promises the Nationals will return to the postseason - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Gerardo Parra will be in Japan for the 2020 baseball season, but that hasn't stopped him from promising big things from his former team."

Gerardo Parra wants to throw out the first pitch on Nationals Opening Day - (NBC Sports Washington)
"'I want to throw the first pitch,' Parra said in an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Washington. 'I'm working, but it's not in my hands. I want to talk to the Japan team...'"

Other Nats Stuff:

Strong cases for the Braves and Nationals to trade (or not) for Rockies star Nolan Arenado – (The Athletic)
"Publicly, both Atlanta and Washington maintain they’re satisfied with their club and post-[Josh] Donaldson plans."

Hunter Strickland now at full health, hopes for calm seas ahead - (MASN)
"Strickland joked about possibly being public enemy No. 1 before he arrived in D.C.: 'I don’t know what you’re talking about.' The crowd roared with laughter in the Nationals team store."

Recognizing Max Scherzer’s 5 best moments with the Nationals on the 5-year anniversary of his signing - (NBC Sports Washington)
"When Max Scherzer signed with the Nationals on January 21, 2015, an ESPN poll of MLB executives deemed it the worst free-agent signing of the offseason."

HOF Stuff:

Former Nationals Adam Dunn, Alfonso Soriano receive Hall of Fame votes in first year eligible - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Alfonso Soriano, second baseman turned left fielder by the Nationals in their inaugural season, garnered six votes, or 1.5% of the total vote."

Ex-Nats Soriano, Dunn drop off HOF ballot - (MLB.com)
"Neither Alfonso Soriano nor Adam Dunn met the 5% threshold during their first year on the Hall of Fame ballot, meaning the duo not only missed out on being members of the 2020 Class but also will not be included on ballots going forward."

My 2020 Hall of Fame ballot - (MASN)
"After a string of 20 new electees in the last six years, the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020 was always destined to be small. But not so small that there wasn’t room for two electees."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

World Series trophy in West Palm Beach for State of the City - (WPEC)
"Mayor Keith James is set to deliver the State of the City Address on Tuesday ... there will be some special hardware in attendance. The World Series trophy won by the Washington Nationals will be on hand. The Washington Nationals train at the the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches."

Harrisburg Senators unveil boisterous George Washington logo - (SportsLogos.Net)
"For the second time this offseason, a Washington Nationals affiliate has unveiled a logo bearing the likeness of George Washington."

Loss Of Josh Donaldson Will Have Significant Impact On Atlanta Braves - (Forbes)
"In this old scout’s opinion, the Braves have been getting better and better as their younger players gain experience and self-confidence."

Get to know Astros managerial candidate Dusty Baker - (Click2Houston)
"Baker is hungry to return to the game and manage once again. He believes Houston would be a fit at a time where they need stability across the board."

Washington Nationals broadcaster to MC at Fields of Dreams Banquet - (claremoreprogress.com)
"Bob Carpenter television broadcaster for the Washington Nationals will be the master of ceremonies for the 15th annual Claremore Field of Dreams Baseball Banquet on Monday night, Jan. 27..."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Velasquez thrilled with new pitching coach Price - (MLB.com)
"Vince Velasquez beamed Tuesday as he recalled his offseason conversations with new Phillies pitching coach Bryan Price."

Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter makes the Hall of Fame - (Miami Herald)
"Derek Jeter was already joining an exclusive club Tuesday when he was a first-ballot selection to the National Baseball Hall of Fame."

Leadoff: Ozuna signing lifts Braves' payroll to about $150 million - (AJC.com)
"The Braves’ signing of free-agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $18 million contract Tuesday lifted the team’s projected season-opening payroll to about $150 million."

Did Carlos Beltran lose his chance to get into the Hall of Fame? - (New York Daily News)
"Beltran’s distinguished career has been permanently tainted. So much so that his chances of getting inducted into the Hall of Fame..."