Wire Taps: Washington Nationals hold one more World Series parade, this time in West Palm Beach + more Nats links

While they are trying to put 2019 behind them, after a winter of enjoying their World Series win, Washington Nationals’ manager Davey Martinez said this week that the club was happy to have one more parade last night in West Palm Beach, FL to celebrate the club’s win in the Fall Classic with fans in the team’s Spring Training home.

“For me it’s just we actually did something very special and the City of West Palm Beach, the Mayor, and City Council, they want to recognize what we did. We’re here. This is our home for two months, so why not.

“I’m like, sure, we can do a little something and celebrate, and apparently, from what I’m hearing there’s going to be a lot of people there, every time you put the news on they’re talking about it, so it’s kind of nice. And like I said, I think the city of West Palm Beach for hosting us, they deserve a little something, and I know that we have a lot of fans that are actually showing up already, so I think most of them will be there, so it’s kind of nice.”

Apparently it was kind of nice. Check out the pics below. And go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Parade Again:

West Palm Beach throws Nationals another parade - (MASN)
"It didn’t compare to the parade they threw the Nationals in Washington three days after Game 7 of the World Series. How could it?"

Nationals give World Series parade another go-around in West Palm Beach - (NBC Sports Washington)
"There was a smaller crowd than the one that flocked to the District last November, but the Nationals had plenty of fun throughout the evening."

Nats bring World Series celebration to Florida - (MLB.com)
"A video recapping the 2019 championship run and Game 7 victory over the Astros played on a projection screen, drawing a loud applause from the onlookers gathered in a grassy area."

5th Starter:

Joe Ross, Erick Fedde, Austin Voth compete to be Nationals’ fifth starter - (WaPost)
"The three locker nameplates are in a row — Joe Ross, Austin Voth, Erick Fedde — and the three names will be linked a lot in the coming weeks."

For Fedde, more options mean less opportunity - (MASN)
"Erick Fedde got a text message from his father in December. The message was brief: 'Hey, I was reading an article online saying you have a fourth option.'"

Other Nats Stories:

Why Trea Turner is destined to remain the Nationals’ leadoff hitter - (WaPost)
"Of all the reactions to the idea of Trea Turner hitting third, and there were many, Turner’s was by far the most telling: The 26-year-old shortstop thought it was a joke."

Manager Davey Martinez hopes Nationals ‘act professional’ in first spring training game against Astros - (NBC Sports Washington)
"When the Nationals take the field the for their Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the Houston Astros, Washington skipper Davey Martinez isn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary from his players."

Can the Nationals repeat? Manager Dave Martinez would prefer to focus on ‘compete.’ - (WaPost)
“Everybody says, ‘Repeat.’ No. It’s about ‘Compete.’ And repeat the process,” Martinez said. “That’s the only ‘repeat’ that you can control."

Report: Nationals declined multiple trade offers from Cubs involving 3B Kris Bryant - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals decided against a sending a trade package that would’ve included some combination of prospects Carter Kieboom, Luis Garcia and Jackson Rutledge to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for third baseman Kris Bryant, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported Thursday."

Skipper ribs Soto for goal of 'making team' - (MLB.com)
“'I’ll start off by saying, I just want everybody to know that from what I’ve seen from Juan Soto, I think he’s got a really good chance of making the team,' Martinez said. 'He’s going to be all right.'"

Davey Martinez on today's workout and what he expects Saturday - (MASN)
"Castro hit several lasers off Corbin, including one ball that cleared the fence in left field. No, it doesn’t count. And no, you shouldn’t read much into it."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

With the Nationals at Spring Training: Maintaining clubhouse chemistry - (WTOP)
"Chemistry in the clubhouse is a tricky thing. If anybody could create it, everybody would have it. It’s not a Chia Pet, for heaven’s sake. How have things become so good for the Nats?"

Washington Nationals have second victory parade and rally in West Palm Beach during Spring Training - (wusa9.com)
"It's a special Throwback Thursday as our reigning World Series champions will be feted for a second time, as they march through downtown West Palm Beach, hoisting that World Series Trophy high."

Nationals Spring Training day one recap: Players prove they want another championship - (WJLA)
"A great moment happened during live batting practice: A rematch of last year's Game 7 of the World Series. Relief pitcher Will Harris, who is now a Washington National, gave up the deciding two-run homer to Howie Kendrick."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Joe Girardi defends himself against sign-stealing video – 'We caught them,' he says - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The story that won’t go away wended its way through Phillies camp Thursday in the form of a 22-second video of Joe Girardi talking about illicit sign-stealing."

Mad Dog's Pete Alonso prediction draws response from Mets' star - (NY Post)
"During his Mets’ critique, Russo said Alonso 'is not hitting 50 homers again' and that the team will have to figure out where it will pick up a little of his offense.'"

Brinson sporting new number, fresh outlook - (MLB.com)
"A new number. A renewed outlook.Marlins center fielder Lewis Brinson is sporting a new number in 2020, scrapping No. 9 in favor of 25."

Ronald Acuna’s versatility an asset in handling Braves outfield depth - (AJC.com)
"In 2019, his first full season, Acuna left little on the table: The All-Star outfielder hit .280/.365/.518, generating a legitimate pursuit of 40-40 that fell just shy at 41 homers and 37 steals."