Wire Taps: Washington Nationals rumors; 40-Man roster additions; Nats’ prospects Yasel Antuna and Joan Adon protected + more...

Roster additions. Rumors. Friday was a big day in Nationals news. Infielder Yasel Antuna and right-hander Joan Adon are now part of Washington’s 40-man roster after the Rule-5 eligible prospects had their contracts selected to protect them from being drafted next month.

The Nationals now have 33 players on their 40-Man roster.

MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported on players he’s hearing the Nationals might like to add to the mix in the nation’s capital, citing sources who said both free agent DJ LeMahieu and a third baseman from Chicago named Kris Bryant are players of interest for Mike Rizzo & Co. in the Nationals’ front office. Of course they’d be interested. Will they land either?

Check out the rumors and the latest news below. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Antuna and Adon:

Nationals protect Steven Fuentes, Yasel Antuna and Joan Adon from Rule 5 Draft - (WaPost)
“Antuna, an infielder, and Adon, a right-handed pitcher, joined the 40-man roster Friday, just a few hours before the deadline to protect players.”

Nats add prospects Antuna, Adon to 40-man - (MLB.com)
"Ahead of next month’s Rule 5 Draft, the Nationals selected the contracts of infielder Yasel Antuna and right-hander Joan Adon, protecting the prospects from being chosen by another club."

Nats protect Antuna, Adon from Rule 5 draft - (MASN)
"The two additions bring the Nationals’ 40-man roster up to 33, leaving plenty of available space for free agent signings or trades this winter."

Nationals add prospects Yasel Antuna and Joan Adon to 40-man roster - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Among those not protected from the Rule 5 Draft are pitcher Sterling Sharp, catcher Raudy Read, catcher Israel Pineda and utility player Cole Freeman. All are unlikely to be selected."

Other Nats Stories:

Friday morning news and notes - (MASN)
"Those of you who follow these things closely already know Sharp was drafted away by the Marlins last year and made his major league debut, but was sent back to the Nats. Well, he’s eligible again..."

Robinson Cano’s suspension complicates spending in National League East - (NBC Sports Washington)
"For now, the Mets are suffering through something the Nationals have been lucky to avoid to this point."

Sam Clay 'shell-shocked' to get major league deal with Nationals - (Washington Times)
"Sam Clay had tempered his expectations heading into free agency. With the coronavirus pandemic cooling an already languid market, the left-handed reliever didn’t expect a major league contract to come his way."

The Fresno Experiment is thankfully over for Nationals - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals wanted out the minute they were leveraged into sending their Triple-A team across the country because other options dried up."

Homers mashed & marked at Nationals Park - (MLB.com)
"Here is a list of the Nationals home run markers and where to find them inside the stadium..."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

2021 Washington Nationals Top MLB Prospects - (Baseball America)
"There's a crop of new faces rising to the top of the Nationals prospect rankings, a list littered with high-upside pitchers. Today we update the 10 top names to know in Washington's system."

MLB rumors: Nationals considering Kris Bryant and DJ LeMahieu; Dodgers angling for Nolan Arenado trade - (CBSSports.com)
"Among the infielders the Nationals are considering this offseason is Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, reports MLB.com's Jon Morosi."

NL East Clubs Get Early Start On Off-Season, Setting Stage For Fierce Five-Team Title Fight - (Forbes)
“Washington lost Bryce Harper to Philadelphia via free agency two years ago and would love to strike back by signing the 29-year-old Realmuto, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.”

Grizzlies End Relationship with Washington Nationals. What's Next for Fresno Baseball? - (GV Wire)
"The Washington Nationals have completed a move long-expected — they are no longer the Major League Baseball parent club for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies."

Each team's youngest Top 30 prospect - (MLB.com)
"Nationals: Roismar Quintana, OF (No. 15) - Quintana, 17, received the third-largest bonus in Washington’s 2019-20 international class, signing for $820,000 at the outset of the period."

NL EAST UPDATES:

DJ LeMahieu’s desire to stay in NYC makes it Yankees vs. Mets - (NY Post)
"Did the Yankees do too good a job of selling DJ LeMahieu not only on them, but also on New York City?"

Jon Berti’s plate discipline was off the charts in 2020 - (Fish Stripes)
"There were many good things about the 2020 Marlins team. Chief among them: Jon Berti."

Braves add LHP Kyle Muller to 40-man roster - (AJC.com)
"The Braves added left-hander Kyle Muller to their 40-man roster Thursday evening. He was eligible for the Rule 5 draft next month."

Phillies face important decision on a handful of prospects by Friday night - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"It’s not clear how many players the Phillies will add to their roster, but three seem to be strong candidates, pitchers Francisco Morales and Damon Jones and centerfielder Simon Muzziotti."