Wire Taps: Washington Nationals sign Yasmany Tomás; free agent bargains for Nats + more...

In an interview with Dan Patrick last month, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told the host that after all the COVID-related rule changes adopted for the 60-game 2020 MLB season, which included starting with a runner on second in extra innings, the universal DH, and all those seven-inning doubleheaders, things would likely to, “return to the status quo, absent an agreement with the players association,” for the 2021 campaign. So why did the Nats go and sign Yasmany Tomás, whose defense kept him out of the majors in Arizona for the past few seasons, if there isn’t going to be a DH in the NL? Good question. Go read your links to hopefully find out...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals Sign Tomás:

Nationals sign Yasmany Tomás to minor-league deal - (NBC Sports Washington)
"A quiet Nationals offseason took a small step Tuesday when the Nationals signed outfielder Yasmany Tomás to a minor-league deal with an invite to major-league spring training..."

Nationals sign Yasmany Tomás to minor league deal with spring training invite - (WaPost)
“Yasmany Tomás, one of baseball’s true head-scratching cases, will now get a fresh start — and another chance — with the Washington Nationals.”

Source: Nats sign veteran slugger Tomás to minor league deal - (MASN)
"Yasmany Tomás, the former Diamondbacks slugger whose defensive deficiencies made him high-priced bust, will get a chance to restart his career with the Nationals."

Other Nats & HOF stories:

Notable ex-Nationals left off 2021 Hall of Fame ballot - (MASN)
"You don’t have to convince Nationals fans how much LaRoche meant to the club’s first two division titles."

Steve Cohen taking over Mets further ups the ante for Nationals in the NL East - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Cohen’s biggest division rival in cash output is the Nationals. They entered 2019 with the seventh-highest payroll in Major League Baseball."

Best Nats/Expos not in Hall of Fame - (MLB.com)
"Here are the five best players from the franchise who are not in the Hall of Fame. (Note: This list includes players who are retired and had a significant role with the organization.)"

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

MLB free agent bargains for every team - (Sports Illustrated)
"Moreland could be a suitable one-year plug for a team in need of a short-term fix at first base. The Nationals and Brewers seem like the best fits."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Michael Hill would be a 'great' choice to lead Phillies baseball operations - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Michael Hill would be a 'great' leader of baseball operations for the Phillies, according to a veteran baseball man who has previously worked under the former Miami Marlins president of baseball operations."

Here's the latest on Mets' GM search - (MLB.com)
"The Mets’ request to speak with Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns about the same position in New York has been denied, sources told MLB.com."

There's More to the Story When it Comes to Drew Smyly's $11 Million Contract with the Atlanta Braves - (Sports Illustrated)
"SI's Tom Verducci provides the metrics that illustrate why Atlanta made the sizable investment in Smyly."

Kim Ng Introduced as General Manager of Miami Marlins - (The New York Times)
"Major League Baseball’s first female general manager said she had received an outpouring of support since her hiring was announced on Friday."