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If you’ve ever seen Jayson Werth’s dog, or at least a picture of it, you know why MASN’s Mark Zuckerman decided to relive Magnus’s “moment” in the Nationals’ clubhouse. Or maybe you’ve never seen the dog and you’re just learning about that story below, that’s really our bad. No spoilers, right. Also there’s some stuff about how they think they’ll be handling things of the field if they do play baseball this year. Go read your links...
NATS BEAT:
Tales from the clubhouse: Magnus' moment - (MASN)
"It doesn’t happen all the time, but every once in a while, a player’s dog will find its way into the clubhouse."
No high fives, water jugs or spitting? What you wouldn’t see at games under MLB’s plan to play ball - (NBC Sports Washington)
"In order to understand how drastically different baseball might be this season, consider what parts of the game - as well as many things players take for granted - would be missing."
Corbin echoes Doolittle's concerns; Keister on at-bats - (MASN)
"Nats' left-handed starter Patrick Corbin appeared on 'The Jim Rome Show' on CBS Sports Radio on Friday and echoed some of [Sean] Doolittle’s concerns, and also raised the question of how players would be compensated over an abbreviated season."
If there is baseball in 2020, it will happen under a comically restrictive set of rules. Are they merely inconveniences or more? At ESPN, a deep dive into the health protocol, what it says, what’s missing, why it’s necessary and what it means for baseball: https://t.co/Wezx32EiTk pic.twitter.com/6QooMls3vR
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 17, 2020
MLB may revere Nationals World Series as 'lucky,' but Nats gained respect by beating Astros - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Entering 2020, the feeling around the Nationals is that they have everything needed to compete for a chance to repeat as champions."
Why Juan Soto is 'exactly what baseball needs' according to one writer - (NBC Sports Washington)
"[John] Tomase joined Friday’s episode of the Nationals Talk podcast to give an outsider’s view of what the Nationals’ improbable World Series run looked like."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
The Nationals' Deadline Dandy - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"Make no mistake, he was viewed as a fine bullpen addition for Washington, but he alone wouldn’t solve all the Nats’ relief issues, and many would have preferred GM Mike Rizzo to make a play for Detroit’s Shane Greene, who was sent to the Braves."
The AP got a hold of MLB’s financial presentation made last week to the players’ union. https://t.co/SbtnO1LjR5
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) May 17, 2020
Nationals Can Bring Playoff Approach To Universal DH - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"If there’s a team ready for post-coronavirus baseball, it’s the Nats."
Dr. Doolittle - (Arkansas Online)
"He's a pitcher for the World Series champions Washington Nationals. He began raising questions about a revived season early last week. He released his questions, obviously, on Twitter."
NL EAST UPDATES:
Bryce Harper has some interesting changes in mind for 2020 MLB season - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Bryce Harper is sure keeping his mind and body active in quarantine."
Updated story on MLB’s proposed protocols for health and safety, complete with charts outlining how social distancing would be practiced. With @EvanDrellich. https://t.co/lsCvmShbuQ
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 16, 2020
Mets PR guru Jay Horwitz gives ultimate insider look at 1986 World Series - (NY Post)
"Back in New York for Game 1 of the World Series against the Boston Red Sox, I was again a wreck. I was rooting hard for the Mets, but I wanted to make sure on the other hand that I stayed focused and did my job."
Marlins’ Caleb Smith needs to regain the effectiveness of his slider - (Fish Stripes)
"Everyone who’s been watching the Marlins for the last two years should know the potential of Caleb Smith."
Braves Have All The Pieces To Build A Solid DH - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"Atlanta boasts a good deal of depth to utilize in a potential designated hitter role."