Wire Taps: Former Washington Nationals’ skipper Dusty Baker rooted for Houston Astros in World Series + more Nats links...

The Washington Nationals’ Twitter folks apparently subtweeted Bryce Harper’s Philadelphia Phillies. Woah, differences. Dusty Baker said he was rooting for the Houston Astros, his new team, during their World Series matchup with the Nationals, his former team, when he was introduced as the Astros’ new manager. So like, grudges, amirite? Enjoy your weekend, and Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals' Twitter perfectly trolls Bryce Harper, Phillies in minutes - (NBC Sports Washington)
"It's no coincidence that Eaton was the subject of the Nationals' post given that he was the one to step into Harper's right-field spot this season."

Dusty Baker says he was rooting for the Astros over the Nationals in 2019 World Series - (NBC Sports Washington)
"'Don't tell the Nationals, I was rooting for this team to beat the Nationals,' Baker said during his introductory press conference with Houston on Thursday."

Astros fan reviewed team's 2017 at-bats. Sign-stealing was everywhere - (WaPost)
"Adams also found the practice seemed to fall off abruptly after Sept. 21, the day Chicago White Sox reliever Danny Farquhar suspected foul play by the Astros and changed his signs midgame."

Friday morning Nats Q&A - (MASN)
"Ryan Zimmerman was the last key piece of the puzzle to re-sign, and though there could still be more additions to come, the Nationals could go into the season with what they have and feel comfortable about their chances."

Nationals Spring Training Preview: Infield flexibility gives team options - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Howie Kendrick should also get some time at first, though Thames and Zimmerman figure to be the most frequent starters given their lack of positional flexibility."

As Baker joins Astros, Nats get ready to enter Bizarro World - (MASN)
"Yes, Dusty’s back. And he’s going to be reporting to the very same complex the Nationals call home all spring."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Here's each team's best non-Top 100 prospect - (MLB.com)
"Taken with the No. 17 overall pick in last year’s Draft, [Jackson] Rutledge, a 6-foot-8 right-hander, has some of the best pure stuff among college pitchers from his class with an explosive mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider that front his four-pitch mix."

Dusty Baker is a Fascinating, Counterintuitive Choice to Manage Astros - (FanGraphs)
"In desperate need of rebranding as they move forward, the Astros have taken the first step towards that end by hiring Dusty Baker to succeed [A.J.] Hinch..."

Harper lands in nation's capital, traded to defending World Series champs - (ClarksvilleNow.com)
"After being sent via trade to the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals from the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, former Clarksville High and Austin Peay baseball pitcher Ryne Harper said he harbors no ill will or resent toward his former organization."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Former Phillies manager Pete Mackanin eager to reunite with Joe Girardi in spring training - (Philadelphia Inquirer)
"As a fifth-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 1986, Girardi was 21 and just a few days removed from playing baseball at Northwestern University when he first met Mackanin..."

DeGrom Receives Cy Young Award - (New York Mets YouTube)
"Jacob deGrom gets his second straight NL Cy Young award at the New York Chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America annual awards dinner."

Keep an eye on these 5 Marlins NRIs in spring - (MLB.com)
"With a vastly improved farm system and a core of club-controlled big league tested-players, the Marlins will enter Spring Training with as much organizational depth as they’ve had in years."

Ian Anderson Q&A: On this year’s expectations, being among the best prospects - (AJC.com)
"Pitcher Ian Anderson spoke with the media at Chop Fest on Jan. 27 at Truist Park. In the interview, he discussed his expectations for the coming season and being ranked among the top minor league prospects."