Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ roster moves + MLB & MLBPA reach deal on 2020 season, whenever it starts...

MLB and the MLBPA reached an agreement last night, which is expected to be agreed upon by major league owners this afternoon, on how to deal with the 2020 regular season, draft, and more, all of which has been impacted by the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic.

You can read all about the details of the deal below.

Meanwhile, the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals made a number or roster moves on what should have been Opening Day yesterday.

So, yeah, there is some actual news for you this morning... Go read your links:

NATS BEAT:

Why the Nationals could benefit from a late start to the season - (NBC Sports Washington)
"There is no good way of looking at the MLB season being delayed. It was the right decision to suspend play while the coronavirus outbreak is contained, but that doesn’t mean losing baseball hurts any less."

Reports: MLB, union agree to salary, service time, draft changes - (MASN)
"Multiple outlets reported that player representatives from all 30 clubs agreed to a deal that will become official today once owners sign off on it."

A plain day replaces Opening Day as everyone waits for baseball - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Welcome to Thursday. Doesn’t have the same ring as Opening Day, does it?"

Nats prospect watch: Romero ready to pitch in 2020 - (MASN)
"[Brad] Holman said the Nationals have focused on [Seth] Romero’s delivery, specifically how he begins his movement, from wind up to pitch."

Nats option Fedde, five others to Minor Leagues - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals made roster moves on Thursday, optioning players from the Spring Training roster to the Double-A and Triple-A affiliates."

Pitcher Erick Fedde among those sent to the minors by Nationals - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Baseball’s current stagnation makes nothing final about these roster moves. But, the Nationals are able to form some roster identity during the process."

Nationals option two players to Fresno, four more to Harrisburg - (MASN)
"They didn’t have to submit an official 26-man roster for opening day this morning, but the Nationals did make a series of transactions, procedural moves that involved the optioning of six players off the major league spring training roster."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Book review of Buzz Saw: The Improbable Story of How the Washington Nationals Won the World Series by Jesse Dougherty - (WaPost)
"I had forgotten all the ways the Nats found to lose games in the first half of the season. Reading about the many bullpen blowups brought back the old stress until I remembered, oh yeah, they pulled it out, and they beat a team of alleged cheaters to do it! (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)"

It’s a weird (un) Opening Day, but we have great Nats photos - (Roll Call)
"There is no way around it: Opening Day without baseball thanks to the coronavirus pandemic is a bummer. But baseball will return — eventually."

Nats GM Rizzo pays tribute to late father, Chicago roots - (Chicago Daily Herald)
"In the 30-plus years I've known Mike Rizzo, there has never been a time he didn't answer the phone."

Great debate: Acuña vs. Soto. Who ya got? - (MLB.com)
"Soto shined in the spotlight of a World Series run. Though he didn’t even turn 21 until midway through the Fall Classic, he came through in big moment after big moment..."

MLB/MLBPA DEAL:

Priorities, not perfection: Baseball’s deal addresses service time, cash flow – (The Athletic)
"Economic disputes in a $10.7 billion industry seem rather inconsequential in this time of pain and suffering, but MLB players and owners still had to figure out how they would proceed with the disrupted 2020 season."

Scott Boras says MLB’s new agreement will damage future draft classes - (USA TODAY)
"But while their deal on service time and salary should be officially ratified Friday, with the owners scheduled to vote on a noon ET conference call, prominent baseball agent Scott Boras worries that amateur players will be greatly damaged in the agreement."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies’ Rhys Hoskins adjusts to ‘weird’ life without baseball - (Philadelphia Inquirer)
"Rhys Hoskins spent his birthday driving toward an uncertain future as he left Clearwater, Fla., on St. Patrick’s Day with his wife, Jayme, and their dog, Rookie. The truck pointed north to Philadelphia, but it also headed to a time in his life without baseball."

Coronavirus update: Mets got 1 thing right with Noah Syndergaard’s elective Tommy John surgery - (nj.com)
"The New York Mets faced severe criticism earlier this week, when they announced that right-hander Noah Syndergaard needed Tommy John surgery and scheduled it for Thursday in Florida."

Coronavirus forces Miami Marlins’ Opening Day to go virtual - (Miami Herald)
"There were glitches, a couple technical issues and a home run wiped off the board. But after about 20 minutes of troubleshoots and a pair of resets, Opening Day took place as best as it possibly could for the Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon."

Covering the Braves in uncertain times - (AJC.com)
"It’s surreal to realize that I left Florida only 12 days ago, that only two weeks ago, live sports evaporated. There are many, many more serious concerns than sports right now, but it’s still left a void in our every-day lives."