Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ free agent & trade targets; Nats’ prospect has Tommy John surgery + more news...

One Nationals’ prospect had Tommy John surgery recently. A number of Nats’ prospects are wrapping up their work in the Instructional League. It’s. almost. time. for the 2020-2021 free agent market to open. Please, more news. Davey Martinez still needs a third base coach. So, what’s next for the D.C. ballclub? While you wait to see, go read your links (which touch on a bunch of the stuff mentioned above. See how this works!)...

NATS BEAT:

Andrew Stevenson threw himself into 2021 mix with torrid finish - (MASN)
"Stevenson has spent much of his career as the 26th man on a 25-man roster."

When was the last time Nationals needed so many free agents? - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals have up to 16 free agents departing this offseason if they decline the options on Eric Thames, Howie Kendrick, Adam Eaton and Aníbal Sánchez."

2020-21 MLB Offseason: Top Free Agents - (NBC Sports Washington)
"It's so deep that players like 2020 breakout Kevin Gausman, super-utility star Tommy La Stella, 2019 top-10 Cy Young-finisher Mike Minor and underrated infielder Cesar Hernandez all failed to make our top-15 rankings."

Cluff makes plate adjustments to take advantage of quick-twitch strengths - (MASN)
"Gingrich said he can see with the naked eye what was happening to Cluff in his swing and diagnosed a plan to remedy his swing and the buildup of his approach."

Eliminating universal DH for 2021 season would help Nationals - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Eliminating the designated hitter for 2021 would provide them extra money to rebound from the downturn of 2020."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

How to rebuild the Pirates: Strategies from 4 MLB insiders – The Athletic
“I could see the (Washington) Nationals going after [Josh Bell],” the NL scout said. “They need somebody in that middle of the lineup, because this year they were a shell of what they were last year."

World Series shows why SF Giants don't need a true closer - (Mercury News)
"Had Jansen signed a deal with the Washington Nationals, who reportedly offered him more money than the Dodgers, the right-hander insists he also would have surpassed the high water mark for salary guaranteed to a closer."

Dakota Bacus Interview - (wqad.com)
"Dakota Bacus played his first year in the Major Leagues with the Washington Nationals. Hear what he has to say about pitching in the Big Leagues."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies 40-man roster projections: Who stays, who goes? – (The Athletic)
"Projecting who stays and who goes from the Phillies’ 40-man roster is a good place to start."

Will Steve Cohen, a Symbol of Wall Street Malfeasance, Own the New York Mets? - (The New Yorker)
"This past Tuesday, Steven A. Cohen, the head of Point72 Asset Management, cleared an important obstacle in his campaign to buy the New York Mets, winning the approval of Major League Baseball’s Ownership Committee."

Derek Jeter, Marlins hire Yankees coaches Tommy Phelps, Phil Plantier - (NY Post)
"When Gary Denbo left the Yankees to join Derek Jeter and the Marlins as the director of player development and scouting, it was easy to expect Denbo eventually would bring people who worked with him in the Yankees’ organization to Miami."

Atlanta Braves’ 40-man roster outlook heading into the 2020 offseason - (Talking Chop)
"With the 2020 season in the books, the focus shifts to the offseason for the Atlanta Braves, where the team will have a number of questions that will need to be answered in regards to the 2021 roster."