Wire Taps: Washington Nationals bringing the Natitude back for 2020? + more Nats links...

It’s February 4th. Pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach, FL on February 12th. We’ve almost made it.

Honestly, though, this offseason flew by for us after the 2019 Washington Nationals, you know, won it all last October.

Apparently, their World Series championship has the club feeling a little flex-y, because they’ve done gone and brought back a marketing slogan from the not-too-distant past that was, shall we say, “divisive” the first time around.

That’s right, “Natitude” is back. Uh... yep. I guess if you go “1-0 every day” and “Stay in the Fight!” till the end, then “Finish the Fight”, you deserve a little flex time.

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

As Mookie Betts trade talks heat up, Nationals don’t figure to be among suitors - (NBC Sports Washington)
This isn’t to say that the Nationals couldn’t trade for Betts. That is, if we’re taking the word 'could' in the most literal sense possible to mean 'physically able to.'"

Nationals 2020 Spring Training FAQs - (MLB.com)
"Can you smell it? That’s Spring Training in the air. Here’s all you need to know about the Nationals before they officially begin preparing for their World Series defense in West Palm Beach, Fla."

Nationals drop 'What's Next' hype video immediately after Super Bowl - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The defending World Series champions dropped a hype video for the 2020 season immediately at the conclusion of the Super Bowl on Sunday."

Nats will again go as far as star-studded rotation takes them - (MASN)
"What was the biggest difference between the 2018 Nationals, who disappointed and failed to reach the postseason, and the 2019 Nationals, who not only reached October but were the last team standing at the end of the month?"

Guess how many times Juan Soto has watched his World Series homer - (NBC Sports Washington)
"How many times has he watched that home run back? 'A lot of times,' Soto emphasized. 'A lot of times.'"

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Ten reasons Mike Trout, MLB's best player of the 2010s, still hasn't won a playoff game - (ESPN)
"The Angels lost 90 games last season, then brought back the decorated Joe Maddon to be their new manager and splurged on a star third baseman in Anthony Rendon."

Baseball Banter: Alexandria Sportsman’s Club hosts Nationals’ Longosz - (Connection Newspapers)
"Eddie Longosz, Director of Scouting Operations for the reigning World Series Champion Washington Nationals, was the featured speaker at the Jan. 22 meeting of the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club."

Guns N’ Roses to play Nats Park this summer - (WTOP)
"Guns N’ Roses announced its 2020 North American tour on Monday. It includes a major stop in D.C. at Nationals Park on July 16."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Get ready to meet 4 new Phillies who could make a big impact - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The Phillies team that will report to Clearwater for spring training next week has undergone some change on the field..."

Luis Rojas opens up about new Mets approach, fixing Edwin Diaz - (NY Post)
"Spend an hour with new Mets manager Luis Rojas and you begin to see the character, the strength of will and determination, the baseball-first mentality and the lack of ego."

Marlins news: García, Quijada DFA’d for Matt Joyce, Brandon Kintzler - (Fish Stripes)
"The long-anticipated news arrived Monday that the Marlins have signed free agents Matt Joyce and Brandon Kintzler. But in a bizarre corresponding move, left-hander Jarlin García was designated for assignment to create space on the 40-man roster."

Braves Spring Training FAQs, important dates - (MLB.com)
"CoolToday Park, the Braves’ new Spring Training stadium in Florida, is located approximately 40 minutes southeast of Sarasota and about an hour north of Fort Myers."