Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ starter Max Scherzer sore in right places; Trea Turner as a 3-hole hitter? + more Nats links...

Max Scherzer was sore in all the right spots after throwing two live batting practice sessions on Wednesday in West Palm Beach. Will Harris made peace with how his 2019 season and the World Series ended before he signed with the Nationals. Trea Turner didn’t believe the talk of him hitting third till he realized the Nationals were serious about the idea.

“He’s a really good hitter, he really is,” Davey Martinez said when asked what he likes about Turner as a potential No. 3 hitter. “This is something that — like I said before, we’re going to kind of mess around with early and see where we’re at, but I love the way he hits.” He also likes Turner and Adam Eaton atop the lineup, so... we’ll see, I guess.

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Scherzer is Ready:

Scherzer on body: 'Exactly where I need to be' - (MLB.com)
"The first game of Spring Training might as well be the first game of the regular season for Max Scherzer. He wants to be on the mound."

"Sore in all the right spots," Scherzer will start Saturday - (MASN)
"Max Scherzer offered up a simple, yet important, takeaway from his first session throwing to live hitters this spring. 'I’m sore in all the right spots,' he said."

Davey Stories:

Davey Johnson isn't looking to bury Astros - (Washington Times)
"I figured Davey Johnson would have something to say about this whole Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal."

Davey Martinez Prepares for World Series Defense – (NBC4 Washington)
"Lindsay Czarniak sat down to dinner with Washington Nationals manager Davey Martinez to talk about the World Series triumph and the season ahead."

Martinez ready to try Robles at leadoff, Turner batting third - (MASN)
"Turner and Eaton made for a dynamic 1-2 punch atop the Nationals lineup last season, and there’s no denying their contributions to the club’s first World Series title. But with Anthony Rendon gone, somebody needs to bat third in front of Juan Soto this year."

Players were asking Davey Martinez if he would be fired during 2019 rough stretch - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Different conversations began when the Nationals were roiled by a bad start last season which dragged them to a 19-31 record following a sweep in New York. The players wanted to know if Martinez’s job was safe."

Spring Training Stories:

Why is Trea Turner’s name on a replica Super Bowl trophy in the Nationals’ clubhouse? - (NBC Sports Washington)
"At first glance, the replica looks precisely like the Vince Lombardi Trophy. And, it’s central location in the clubhouse makes it impossible to miss, which is the point. 'That’s Yan flexing on all of us,' Max Scherzer said, shaking his head."

Will Harris, former Astro, in middle of Nationals’ celebration - (WaPost)
"'I had to take a few weeks to think about it and reached a pretty simple conclusion: I could only come here if I knew the World Series stuff wouldn’t bother me,' Harris said."

With the Nationals at Spring Training: Building a better bullpen - (WTOP)
"Last year, the Nationals’ relief corps almost shut down the season before it began. The bullpen ERA of 5.66 was the worst in the majors, and the unit’s 29 blown saves was the second-highest total in the big leagues."

Boring, drama-less camp is fine with Nationals - (MASN)
"The biggest story at Nats camp to date: Will Carter Kieboom win the third base job? The only contract-related issue: When will Mike Rizzo and Davey Martinez have their deals extended?"

Notes: Turner hits third; Nats get second parade - (MLB.com)
“'I thought it was kind of a joke at first, but now it’s a possibility,' Turner said. 'I’m not scared of it. I’m not shy of it or afraid of it. It’s just funny to think of me as a three-hole hitter.'"

NL EAST UPDATES:

Michael Conforto takes stand against live video feeds in dugouts - (New York Daily News)
"On Wednesday, Michael Conforto discussed player-led efforts to protect against illegal sign stealing, including an extensive conversation the Mets had with the players union."

Miami Marlins spring training: Sterling Sharp impresses early - (Miami Herald)
"The Miami Marlins’ real evaluation of players in spring training will begin once Grapefruit League games begin on Saturday."

Braves’ third-base question will be one of the raging ones this spring - (AJC.com)
"This Braves spring holds precious few real positional battles worth a long, lingering glance. Perhaps that’s a sign your little rebooted baseball team is all grown up."

Camp Battles: Phillies' Rotation - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"Finishing an even 81-81, the Phillies were a disappointment in 2019, in part because of their rotation."