Wire Taps: Max Scherzer on MLB proposal on 2020 salaries + Nationals & RHP Cole Wilcox matched in another mock draft...

Another day, another mock draft that has the Nationals taking Cole Wilcox with the 22nd pick in the first round. Actually there are two of them, mock drafts that have Wilcox as a target for GM Mike Rizzo and Co. in Washington’s front office on June 10th. Will they take the right-hander out of the University of Georgia (after selecting him in the 37th round of the draft out of high school back in 2018)? Go read your links and see what you think...

[ed. note - “We put these links together before Max Scherzer shared his thoughts on MLB’s initial proposal for the financial end of things in a potential 2020 season, so we’ll just add a separate Scherzer section up here. Enjoy.”]

MAX SAID WHAT NOW?:

Max Scherzer: ‘No reason to engage with MLB in any further compensation reductions’ - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Scherzer dispatched a screenshot at 11:09 p.m. which contained a clear message: the players’ union is angry."

Scherzer shoots down MLB plan as clock ticks down for deal - (MASN)
"The Nationals ace and member of the MLB Players Association’s eight-person executive subcommittee said the union has no intention of accepting any more salary reductions beyond what was already agreed to in late March."

NATS BEAT:

Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg among those who would take huge pay cuts in league’s proposal - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Baseball’s sides have argued over this for decades. The players go on strike, the owners try to keep salaries down, both plead their case in the media."

Curly W Live: From The Field - (Curly W Live)
"On this episode, we are joined by Chris Poitras, Division VP and GM, College, Sports and Specialty Rings at Jostens, the maker of our 2019 World Series Championship Ring."

An in-depth look at Dominican Summer League roster - (MASN)
"Nationals vice president and assistant general manager of international operations Johnny DiPuglia said he has been impressed with right-hander Eddy Yean."

How Stephen Strasburg changed his narrative in one postseason run - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The signs were all there, but Strasburg’s historic playoff run changed the narrative around his career and cemented him as one of the premiere playoff pitchers in all of baseball."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

How Nats Could Keep Benefiting From Jordan Zimmermann's Exit - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"The Nationals haven’t missed him, though, while the Tigers surely wish they wouldn’t have taken such a big-money gamble."

‘He was so giving of his time’: Bob Watson’s influence as an executive – (The Athletic)
"I sought out his advice on what he was looking for as he was building out the groups around him. He was so giving of his time, I knew if I had a question, he would make time for me.” - De Jon Watson, special assistant to the Washington Nationals GM

2020 Mock Draft: Mach 1 - (Fangraphs.com)
"22. Washington Nationals- Cole Wilcox, RHP, Georgia - A pretty good rule of thumb in mocks is to give the Nationals a player who Scott Boras advises, so here’s Wilcox."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Jeff Francoeur: 'Shame on' MLB owners and players if they don't figure this out - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"When Jeff Francoeur gazes at his crystal ball, he sees baseball. This summer."

This Day in Transaction History: The Kirk Nieuwenhuis orbit - (NBC Sports)
"Outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis had, on the surface, a forgettable 2015 season."

Marlins to pay their minor leaguers thru August despite COVID-19 delay - (Fish Stripes)
"The Marlins are among the clubs who will continue compensating these players, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America first reported Wednesday morning."

Braves would have pitching options to evaluate in shortened season - (AJC.com)
"If a 2020 season happens, it will be an important opportunity for the Braves to evaluate their pitching."