Wire Taps: Why a potential Washington Nationals’ trade for Kris Bryant does/doesn’t make sense; Pick a side! + more Nats links...

Nationals Twitter was lit yesterday, dude! Or at least lit for a relatively dead week in near-to-late November in a so-far-cold Hot Stove season. There was plenty of discussion yesterday, on Twitter, and in articles, about why a trade for Cubs’ third baseman Kris Bryant would or wouldn’t work for Washington’s Nationals. Which side are you on? Don’t answer yet. Go read your links first, and, you know, like form one of those opinions people here on the internet are so fond of...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals not operating from a position of strength in trade market - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Mike Rizzo contends 'the periodicals' are wrong. The Nationals’ farm system is not the worst in the major leagues."

Inbox: What's the Nationals' plan for 1B? - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals head into the 2021 season with depth -- emerging and veteran -- to weigh as their options at second base."

Winter ball updates on Robles and Barrera, plus other notes - (MASN)
"Outfielder Yadiel Hernández is hitting .324 with a .985 OPS, three homers and 12 RBIs for Naranjares de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League. He has already played in 21 games."

As football flails, MLB deserves more credit for 2020 season - (MASN)
"MLB’s challenge always was among the most difficult in North American sports, because unlike the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League, it hadn’t completed most of its season before the world shut down in March."

FIGHT! FIGHT!!!:

Nationals trading for Kris Bryant doesn’t make sense - (NBC Sports Washington)
"It’s year two of rumors about Kris Bryant and the Nationals despite them making no sense."

The Nationals’ trading for Kris Bryant would make sense - (WaPost)
“As a result, the Nationals are again exploring a trade with the Chicago Cubs for Bryant, according to two people with knowledge of their plans.”

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Nationals top prospects 2021: Cade Cavalli, Wil Crowe at the top of Washington's list - (CBSSports.com)
"Cavalli still needs to work on mastering his command and a third pitch, but his mid-90s fastball-slider pairing and physicality should allow him to stick in a rotation."

Jack McKeon is a baseball lifer - (MLB.com)
"Since 2019, McKeon has been a senior advisor to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies top prospects: First-round picks Mick Abel, Bryson Stott headline Philadelphia's farm system - (CBSSports.com)
"It takes a lot for a right-handed prep arm to go early in the draft. In that sense, it shouldn't have been too surprising that Abel slid to the Phillies..."

Mets' Steven Cohen Shows a Lighter Side on Twitter - (The New York Times)
"The new owner, whose purchase of the team was completed earlier this month, has engaged with dozens of fans in the last week or so."

Rosenthal: Waiting on the Cubs, Arenado and the Cardinals – (The Athletic)
"A fan might reasonably wonder, 'How did left-hander Drew Smyly land a one-year, $11 million free-agent deal from the Braves when no team claimed reliever Brad Hand off waivers for $10 million?'"