Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Juan Soto is 22 years old now; Nats’ prospect in Instructs + more Nationals links...

Juan Soto turned 22 on Sunday. He didn’t have a bad 21st year of life. He did have to go into quarantine twice, after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and then testing positive himself, though he was asymptomatic. But he did eventually get in the lineup and he finished the 2020 campaign as the NL’s batting champ.

Soto was the youngest player to ever to win an NL batting title, even if it was in a 60-game season.

“For me it doesn’t matter the age, if you deserve it, you deserve it,” Soto said after the final game of the campaign for the Nationals.

“But I just feel good about it. I know some young guys coming behind me I know they’re going to try to do the same thing, I know they’re going to do it, but right now it just feels good to win it.”

Probably still feels good. Soto is 22. So old. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

How should Nats evaluate McGowin's electric September? - (MASN)
"After 12 inauspicious appearances the previous two seasons - two of those starts - McGowin entered this season well down the organizational depth chart."

Finnegan turned plenty of heads in rookie season - (MASN)
"Finnegan’s signing last winter didn’t generate a lot of attention, but the fact the Nationals were willing to sign a 28-year-old with zero major league experience to a big league contract suggested they were high on him."

WATCH: Juan Soto celebrates 22nd birthday with family and champagne - (NBC Sports Washington)
"This year, the champagne was in full flow with Soto celebrating with family as he posted on his Instagram story."

Once healthy and in rhythm, Suero was effective for Nats - (MASN)
"While most of his teammates were working out daily at Nationals Park in July, Suero was in quarantine, forbidden from participating in summer training..."

SEE IT: Gerardo Parra receives World Series ring, adds Baby Shark toy - (NBC Sports Washington)
"However, in typical Parra style, he added some flare to the ring display with a Baby Shark toy and signature red-tinted frames."

Nats Minors:

Mendoza focusing on shortening path to ball, increasing power - (MASN)
"Last season, Mendoza played in 55 games for low Single-A Hagerstown, slashing .264/.377/.383 with 12 doubles, four homers and 25 RBIs."

Nats instructional league prospect report - (MLB.com)
“'The volume of upside arms we have right now is something we’ve never had before,' said Nationals assistant general manager of player development Mark Scialabba."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Nationals’ 100M MASN award upheld in N.Y. appeals court - (WaPost)
“A New York appeals court ruled Thursday in favor of the Nationals in a dispute with Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, upholding a $100 million award for the team.”

NL EAST UPDATES:

MLB rumors: Yankees’ reunion with Phillies’ Didi Gregorius faces potential snag - (nj.com)
"That could be the case if New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman decides to re-sign Didi Gregorius, who’s coming off a one-year, $14 million contract with Joe Girardi and the Philadelphia Phillies."

Marcus Stroman thinks he's answer to Yankees' rotation questions - (NY Post)
"Stroman ended up being traded from the Blue Jays to the Mets that season and pitched well before opting out of this past season in August due to COVID-19 concerns, meaning the Mets got just 11 starts out of the 29-year-old after giving up prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson."

How MLB got from Marlins' "super-spreading event" to World Series - (Yahoo!Sports/LA Times)
"Major League Baseball was aware that a player on the Miami Marlins had tested positive for the coronavirus before the team opened a three-game series in Philadelphia in July, according to a report released Thursday."

Fried, Swanson, Acuna Gold Glove finalists for Braves - (AJC.com)
"Braves lefty Max Fried, shortstop Dansby Swanson and outfielder Ronald Acuna were named National League Gold Glove finalists Thursday afternoon. Each player would be a first-time winner."