Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ roster needs; free agent fits; non-tendered targets for Nats...

Mike Rizzo told the Sports Junkies this week that the non-tender deadline on Wednesday would give everyone in baseball a better idea of what the market really looks like for this winter so that the Hot Stove season could get going in earnest.

“We’ll know a little bit more after the tender date, which is coming up in the next day or so,” Rizzo said on Tuesday morning, “... about what the actually field of players is really going to look like and then we’ll start implementing our offseason plan.”

You heard the man, start implementing the plan! Go! Go! Go! read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals have roster needs; how to fill them is unclear – (The Athletic)
"The Nats won the World Series in 2019, were upset they didn’t get their due in 2020 and meandered through a largely meaningless 60 games."

Inbox: Could these free agents fit in DC? - (MLB.com)
"One note to keep in mind when considering possible outfielders is that the Nationals took a look at left fielder Juan Soto in right at the end of the 2020 season, so there could be flexibility with defensive positions as they build their roster for ‘21."

Nationals still have confidence in Kieboom - (MASN)
"2020 was not the breakout season Carter Kieboom might have hoped for, but that does not mean that the Nationals third baseman did not make some positive strides."

Some non-tendered outfielders who might interest Nats - (MASN)
"All told, 59 players were non-tendered, joining an already large list of free agents looking for work during what’s expected to be a rough winter for everyone."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Now a FA, where should Schwarber land? - (MLB.com)
"Schwarber could help in the Nats’ quest to return to October after last season’s championship hangover."

DJ LeMahieu’s potential suitors, ranked - (MLB.com)
"The Nats have some young players they’d like to see fill in where LeMahieu would play, unless they gave him a shot at first base."

Fresno CA leaders need new deal for Grizzlies baseball team - (The Fresno Bee)
"As negotiations continue between Major League Baseball, the owners of the Fresno Grizzlies and city leaders over the future of professional baseball here, one thing is certain: Chukchansi Park must not become an empty stadium."

MiLB cuts: What becomes of stadiums? Hagerstown looks to future - (delmarvanow.com)
"Although the Hagerstown Suns no longer have an affiliation with a Major League Baseball team, local officials say talk of a potential new stadium is not over."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Adam Duvall non-tendered by Braves - (MLB.com)
"A non-tender candidate two years ago, Duvall rewarded the Braves’ patience by finishing second on the team with 16 homers during the shortened 2020 season."

Phillies make decisions on several players - (The Good Phight)
"Tendering a contract to Velasquez was the hot button issue around the team lately. We could go on and on about all the different ways that Velasquez has come up short of expectations..."

Grading the Mets’ Trevor May signing - (Amazin' Avenue)
"After a couple quiet weeks, the Mets made their first major acquisition of the offseason, inking Trevor May to a two-year, $15.5 million deal."

Marlins agree to deals with Aguilar, Cooper - (MLB.com)
"The Marlins had solid production from first base in 2020, and on Wednesday, they made contractual commitments to their top two candidates for next year."