Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Kyle Schwarber on new home; Now-former Nats find new homes + more...

Kyle Schwarber wasn’t thrilled with getting non-tendered by the Chicago Cubs, who had drafted and developed the catcher-turned-outfielder, but the 27-year-old said that he did actually learn from the process of going through free agency for the first time.

“You’re definitely disappointed,” he said of the non-tender, “it’s not the way you wanted to leave, it’s not the way I wanted to leave my tenure in Chicago.

“But being able to talk to different teams and see how they evaluate, it was eye-opening. And it brings in a different perspective. All I’ve known is the Chicago Cubs for how many years now, and to be able to talk to other teams and to be able to talk to Washington and see how they evaluate, see how they see things, and see what kind of adjustments I can make, it was really exciting, and then once — you’re going kind of through this whole deal where you’re talking to different teams and things are slow-moving, and then all of a sudden we were able to work something out with Washington and I was ready to jump on it, because this was my No. 1 choice.”

And he’s not just saying that, Schwarber noted, because he ended up with the Nationals.

“This was the place I wanted to be, I’m not just saying it just because I’m here with you beat writers, and things like that, just because I’m talking to Washington in general right now.

“This was the place I wanted to be and as soon as everything was right, I was like, ‘Alright, let’s go, let’s do this.’”

Let’s do links! Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Suzuki, Difo find new homes for 2021 - (MASN)
"Not that either was expected to return to D.C. for another season, but a pair of notable Nationals players from recent years - Kurt Suzuki and Wilmer Difo - officially found new homes Friday."

If Nats desire another infielder, plenty of options remain - (MASN)
"Justin Turner, Jake Lamb, Tommy LaStella, Marwin González, Kolten Wong, Daniel Descalso and Enrique Hernández are free agents. Kris Bryant and Eugenio Suárez might be available in a trade."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

MLB's international signings, Day 1: Which teams fared best? – (The Athletic)
"Washington, which has inked impressive talents such as Juan Soto, Luis García and Víctor Robles under a revamped program headed by Johnny DiPuglia, signed 11 players Friday."

MLB Interim Offseason Grades: Jim Bowden's top trades and signings so far – (The Athletic)
"The Nationals still have some questions in the back of their rotation and bullpen and could use one more bat to upgrade the bottom third of their lineup."

MLB's international signings, Day 1: Which teams fared best? – (The Athletic)
"Washington, which has inked impressive talents such as Juan Soto, Luis García and Víctor Robles under a revamped program headed by Johnny DiPuglia, signed 11 players Friday.”

Report: Phillies offer catcher J.T. Realmuto five-year deal over $100 million - (NBC Sports Washington)
"According to the Athletic’s Jason Stark, the Phillies offered the All-Star catcher “slightly north of $100 million over five years” to return to their ball club."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Three former Phillies who could return to Philadelphia in 2021 - (The Morning Call)
“Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies’ new president of baseball operations, reiterated in an MLB Network Radio interview last week that acquiring a catcher and getting help for the bullpen are the team’s top priorities.”

Mets officially say farewell to Amed Rosario - (New York Daily News)
“Amed Rosario’s time with the Mets ended one week into the new year.”

Updated 2021 Marlins payroll projection following pre-arb settlements - (Fish Stripes)
“The Marlins avoided arbitration with all their eligible players. What does this mean for the rest of the offseason?”

MLBTR Poll: The Braves' Arbitration Hearings - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"The Braves are heading to arbitration hearings with Dansby Swanson and Mike Soroka."