Wire Taps: Washington Nationals to pay minor leaguers until September 7th; Nats’ Top 5 managers, best interest of baseball + more...

So, yeah, no progress on that whole baseball season thing, and no new signings of eligible, undrafted free agents by the Washington Nationals, just a bunch of players asking, “Tell us when and where.” There are t-shirts already. Mais bien sûr. Will there be a 2020 season? We are ... not holding our breath, while remaining fairly confident that with money to be made, they’ll eventually decide to play ... that is, if the coronavirus pandemic will allow it. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

College coach on Gio Diaz: "He loves to play the game" - (MASN)
"[Gio] Diaz played in 13 games this past abbreviated season, hitting .396 for the Gaels, who surged to finish the year at 8-8."

Nationals to pay minor leaguers $400 a week through Sept. 7 - (WaPost)
"Two weeks after they tried to lower weekly stipends for minor league players but were roundly criticized for it, the Washington Nationals have set a payment plan for the rest of the season."

Washington Nationals Summer Reading Program returns for 7th consecutive year - (MLB.com)
"To kick start the beginning of summer, the Washington Nationals are proud to announce the return of the Nationals Summer Reading Program!"

Time for baseball to do what's in the best interests of baseball - (MASN)
"When baseball owners approached Kenesaw 'Mountain' Landis in 1920 and asked him to become the first commissioner in professional sports, the then-U.S. District Court judge insisted he be given a very specific power."

Nationals' Top 5 managers: Camerato's take - (MLB.com)
1) Dave Martinez, Nationals (2018-Present) - Key fact: Led the Nationals to their first World Series title in 2019. With an unwavering mentality of going '1-0' every day, Martinez turned an underdog 2019 Nationals team into a group of champions."

Max Scherzer, Harper and other stars: Tell us where, when - (Washington Times)
"Scherzer was one of the first players to react to news Monday that the commissioner of baseball was not confident there would be a season, so it was no surprise that other stars have followed his lead."

Nationals commit to paying minor-league players through September - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals will pay their active minor-league players the full $400 a week stipend until September, NBC Sports Washington confirmed Tuesday."

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred fights for his reputation during baseball’s attempted return - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Major League Baseball? It’s a mess, as is the current reputation of its commissioner, Rob Manfred."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Too Far From Town: Hagerstown Suns - (Baseball Prospectus)
"Why does the baseball sun wear shades? Science fails us."

Manzano grad Parker begins his pro journey - (Albuquerque Journal)
"[Mitchell] Parker will be training with a former teammate at San Jacinto, right-handed pitcher Jackson Rutledge, who was Washington’s first-round (No 17 overall) draft pick in 2019."

Max Scherzer Fantasy Outlook: Last Year's Hiccup Not Slowing Down Ace's ADP - (Sports Illustrated)
"Minor injuries put a couple small kinks in his armor last season, but that's not slowing down the average draft position of Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer."

Law: Which MLB teams just added their new No. 1 prospect? – (The Athletic)
"Cade Cavalli would slot in as the Nats’ No. 2 prospect for me, behind the major-league ready infielder Carter Kieboom but ahead of shortstop Luis Garcia or last year’s first-rounder, Jackson Rutledge."

Wild World Series Tactics: 2017-2019 - (FanGraphs)
"I won’t relitigate the decision to pull Greinke for Harris in Game 7 — I’ve written about it before, and still think it was a fine decision — it simply didn’t work out."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Watch the 2008 Phillies do something for the last time - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Game 2 of the 2008 World Series offered Phillies fans one of those bad news/good news scenarios."

Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez get another backer for Mets bid - (NY Post)
"Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez appear to have at least one new backer in their quest to make an Amazin’ bid on the Mets."

McKeon stands alone as Marlins' best manager - (MLB.com)
"McKeon compiled a 281-257 record with the club to become the Marlins' all-time leader in wins."

Braves players: Tell us when and where - (AJC.com)
"Braves players stand in solidarity with their fellow major leaguers, sending messages to MLB through social media: Tell us when and where."