Wire Taps: Everyone ❤️ s Washington Nationals’ Juan Soto; trade rumors + more...

Juan Soto was asked, after he’d won the 2020 NL batting title in the 60-game season, if the 2020 title meant the same as one for a full 162-game season?

“I mean, it’s a little different because we just played 60 games and I didn’t get to play all 60 games,” Soto said. “I just feel good about it because you see how consistent you’ve got to be to win it. That means you’ve got to be consistent the whole two months. So, it just feels good. I never won one in [162] games, I can’t tell you if it feels the same, but it feels really good at this point.”

It probably still feels good now. And the Dodgers are probably still happy about winning the World Series. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

These are the finalists for the All-MLB Team - (MLB.com)
"Turner produced a big league-leading 78 hits with 12 homers, 12 steals and a .335/.394/.588 slash line."

Ross, Harrison adjust offseason workouts in COVID environment - (MASN)
"The Nats certainly would love to see Ross ramp back up to where he was at the end of 2019."

Choice to quickly re-sign with Nats was easy for Harrison - (MASN)
"And though he’s not assured of anything more than a part-time role in 2021, the clubhouse vibe and promise of a better team performance in 2021 convinced him there was no need to test the free agent waters again."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

This young star is the next Ted Williams - (MLB.com)
"So yes, Soto is off to an incredible start, and it feels like any numbers we offer to back that up pale in comparison to 'being on a list with nine guaranteed Hall of Famers.'"

Report: Phillies willing to listen on trade offers for SP Zack Wheeler - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Philadelphia Phillies are open to trade offers for starting pitcher Zack Wheeler amid a 'financial crunch' just one season into his $118 million deal, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Sunday."

MLB Winter Meetings 2020: Yankees lose DJ LeMahieu? J.T. Realmuto’s mystery team; Trevor Bauer gets paid? Mets land a star | 10 bold predictions - (nj.com)
"Washington could certainly allocate back to its offense, helping to form an outstanding trio alongside Juan Soto and Trea Turner."

1 bounce-back candidate for every club in '21 - (MLB.com)
"Nationals: Stephen Strasburg, RHP: No team may be counting on one single player to return to his previous form more than the Nationals are counting on Strasburg."

Evaluating 7 Kris Bryant trade proposals - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals are rumored to be considering a Bryant trade, and it makes sense, as Washington desperately needs to add high-ceiling talent after losing Anthony Rendon..."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Sources -- Philadelphia Phillies open to trade offers for right-hander Zack Wheeler - (ESPN)
"The Philadelphia Phillies have communicated to other teams that they are facing a financial crunch and are open to offers for their second-highest-paid player, starting pitcher Zack Wheeler, according to sources."

Mets target James McCann is 'ultimate pro': Joe McEwing - (NY Post)
"The Mets won’t regret landing James McCann as their upgrade at catcher instead of J.T. Realmuto, if that’s the direction they choose."

Why letting go of José Ureña was a smart, necessary move by the Marlins - (Fish Stripes)
"First of all, they’re saving money with Ureña’s departure. According to MLB Trade Rumors, he was projected to make something around $4M in 2021..."

Braves, other MLB teams sue insurers over COVID-19 losses - (AJC.com)
"The Braves and the 29 other Major League Baseball teams have filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit in California against three insurance companies, similar to the suit filed by the Falcons and Atlanta United in a Rhode Island court."