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It’s been a busy few days for the Washington Nationals, with the defending World Series champions signing veteran reliever Will Harris and infielders Starlin Castro and Asdrúbal Cabrera in a flurry of moves that gave the club another legitimate late-inning arm, and a couple of infielders who give them options even if they don’t sign Josh Donaldson. Is GM Mike Rizzo done? Probably not. Is this intro to the links done? Yes. Go read your links...
NATS BEAT:
Where does the Nationals' payroll stand at this point? - (MASN)
"The question is, how much money do they still have in their pockets to spend before pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach five weeks from now?"
Nationals re-sign Asdrúbal Cabrera - (WaPost)
”The Washington Nationals brought more of the band back from their World Series-winning roster Saturday morning, signing utility infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera to a one-year, $2.5 million deal...”
NEW POD! @whatwouldDOOdo and @EireannDolan join us to kick off 2020, discussing everything from Minor League pay, @mlblondonseries and the impact of #babyshark on the @nationals. Enjoy this one, and give it a RT! https://t.co/oudo4pm9v2
— Bat Flips and Nerds (@batflips_nerds) January 5, 2020
Asdrubal Cabrera deal with Nationals - (MLB.com)
”But like the reported deal for Starlin Castro on Friday, what this move does more than directly align the infield is set the Nationals up for a backup plan should Josh Donaldson sign elsewhere.”
Could the Nats re-sign any more of their remaining free agents? - (MASN)
"To their credit, they’ve managed to re-signed five of those free agents so far (Stephen Strasburg, Howie Kendrick, Yan Gomes, Asdrúbal Cabrera, Javy Guerra) while losing only two (Anthony Rendon, Gerardo Parra)."
Report: Cabrera returning to Nats, adding to infield depth - (MASN)
"General manager Mike Rizzo is moving quickly to shore up the Nationals infield as the team prepares to defend its championship in 2020."
Nationals show with free agents that they're not worried about age - (WaPost)
"To address these issues, the Nats targeted two free agents who’ve been exceptional in recent years but who are also often viewed as perilously close to baseball old age by much of the sport."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Can New Phillies Hitting Coach Resurrect The Old Rhys Hoskins? - (Forbes)
"Priority No. 1 for [Joe] Dillon will be to resurrect the old [Rhys] Hoskins. But who is Dillon?"
Washington Nationals Add Starlin Castro And Asdrúbal Cabrera To 2020 Infield - (Forbes)
"The Washington Nationals used the first few days of 2020 to address the holes in their infield by signing Starlin Castro and re-signing Asdrúbal Cabrera."
Is Kris Bryant the #Nationals next third baseman?
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) January 5, 2020
Not if the price is Victor Robles.@Jim_Duquette | @JimBowdenGM pic.twitter.com/FvVxSew4qq
Carter Kieboom 2020 Outlook: MLB-Ready Bat with Power Potential - (Rotoballer)
"Kieboom has additional value in on-base leagues as he’s posted walk rates above 10% in each of the past three seasons."
MLBTR Polls: Nationals' Recent Additions - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"While waiting in the hallway with the Twins and Braves for Josh Donaldson to make his final contract demands, Nats’ GM Mike Rizzo contented himself with bringing back as much of the championship gang as he could manage."