Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ catching needs; Nats’ prospect Tim Cate makes big strides + more...

After dealing with/following COVID protocols all season, and managing to help his players to stay relatively healthy, at least in terms of the coronavirus, Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo has plans for how to handle things in 2021, depending on what the situation is when the team returns to West Palm Beach, FL for the start of Spring Training at some point next year.

But it’s not a given, of course. So what preparations are they making?

“We’re going to put our best foot forward and have our protocols in place,” Rizzo told 106.7 the FAN in D.C.’s Sports Junkies earlier this month. “Our No. 1 priority, as it was in this year’s Spring Training, would be the safety of our players, staff, and their families, and that’s not going to change, and we will make sure that everyone is safe and stays healthy and can play for us.”

There’s a lot of work to be done, roster-building-wise, before the start of Spring Training, so Rizzo and Co. in the front office in D.C. will be busy over the coming weeks and months. We will share new news when there is some. For now, go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Thinning market for catchers leaves Nats with few options - (MASN)
"As much as Nats general manager Mike Rizzo has coveted Realmuto for several years now, is he about to commit five or six years and nine figures to a soon-to-be 30-year-old catcher?"

Updating Robles' winter ball performance - (MASN)
"The most prominent National currently playing winter ball is getting plenty of opportunities to refine his game. And to bat at the top of his lineup."

Max Scherzer ‘hated’ having to watch games from the stands in 2020 - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Scherzer wasn't exactly bad in 2020, but he did have his highest ERA since 2012 and his highest WHIP since 2011."

Tim Cate "made big strides" over summer as he prepares for 2021 - (MASN)
"Here is a quick update on left-hander Tim Cate. The 2018 second-rounder is rated as the No. 8 overall Nationals prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Latest On Nationals' Free Agent Targets - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"Given the uncertainty over how much the Nats are willing to commit towards payroll in 2021, this news could be further indication that D.C.’s spending may be somewhat limited this offseason."

Scherzer chats with Rose, Millar - (MLB.com)
"Max Scherzer tells Chris Rose and Kevin Millar about upcoming baby number three and how watching games from the stands went during 2020."

Most HR by a player born in each state - (MLB.com)
"Hawaii: Kurt Suzuki, 133: Suzuki has enjoyed a 14-year MLB career that isn’t over just yet, and the Wailuku native hit 17 homers as recently as 2019 for the Nationals to help Washington win the first World Series title in franchise history."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Ace maybe moving? Where he could land - (MLB.com)
"Braves build a super-rotation - Braves get: LHP Blake Snell; Rays get: OF Drew Waters (MLB's No. 22 prospect), 3B/LF Austin Riley."

Recapping the 2020 awards season - (MLB.com)
"The Marlins not only entered the season in the midst of a rebuild and with a low bar for expectations, they also faced issues with COVID-19 that interrupted their season multiple times."

Can Dave Dombrowski Fill Phillies’ Holes Without Breaking The Bank? - (Forbes)
"Dave Dombrowski’s arrival in Philadelphia seems like the local version of Mission: Impossible."

Mets GM has hands full with Trevor Bauer, George Springer - (NY Post)
"But there is still much to be done during a slow-moving offseason in which the biggest targets — including George Springer, Trevor Bauer and DJ LeMahieu — are all available and would fill needs for the Mets."