Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ next move; Nats’ outfield prospects; Jon Lester + more...

We’re still waiting for the Jon Lester signing to be officially announced, since, as well all learned over the last few days, nothing is certain until a player signs on the dotted line, though that won’t stop the speculation about what Lester’s addition means for the Nats’ 2021 rotation. What will Mike Rizzo and Co. in the Nationals’ front office do next? What’s Lester’s durability going to mean for the back end of the rotation? How about that other catcher the Nationals need? Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals have payroll flexibility after adding Jon Lester - (WaPost)
“This is a cover-your-eyes type of deal for any Cubs fan who wanted Jon Lester back in Chicago.”

Cavalli excited for chance to get even better - (MLB.com)
"Cade Cavalli thinks back to the thousands of swings he took in hopes of one day becoming a big league player."

Sutton left lasting impression across baseball, including D.C. - (MASN)
"Don Sutton wore many caps, literal and figurative, during his six decades in baseball, an icon associated with multiple franchises for different reasons."

What’s next for the Nationals after acquiring Lester, Schwarber and Bell - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals have spent the 2020-21 offseason as one of the more active clubs in a time when many teams are shedding payroll rather than adding to it."

Nationals: Lester's biggest contribution may be staying healthy - (District on Deck)
"By signing Jon Lester to a one year contract, a veteran pitcher with a track record of taking the ball every fifth day, is added to the rotation."

Jon Lester brings experience and success -- and some unknowns -- to Nationals - (Washington Times)
"In the best-case scenario, the Washington Nationals’ tentative one-year deal with left-hander Jon Lester solves several problems."

Thurman runs down Nats young outfield prospects - (MASN)
"Here is our final installment on the young outfield corps for the Nationals, guys that are making some noise at the lower levels."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Mr. Lester Goes to Washington - (FanGraphs)
"Much of it will depend upon Lester’s teammates, and given a pitcher with a waning ability to miss bats, it’s worth noting that the Nationals’ infield defense is full of potholes..."

Jon Lester: Ex-Chicago Cubs pitcher signs with Washington Nationals - (Chicago Tribune)
"The 37-year-old pitcher, one of the greatest free-agent additions in Chicago Cubs history, reportedly signed a one-year deal Monday with the Washington Nationals."

Why Philadelphia Phillies don't have enough pitching for a 162-game MLB season - (Philadelphia Inquirer)
"If the Nationals’ one-year, $5 million deal with Lester this week is indicative of the market, the Phillies should find a few reasonably priced options."

Maui’s Kurt Suzuki ‘excited’ to be close to home for 15th Major League season after signing with Angels - (KHON2)
"Being close to home wasn’t the only thing that drew him the Angels though. Just two years removed from winning his first World Series as a member of the Nationals, the former All-Star is hungry for another run at a championship."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Does Blue Jays' megadeal for George Springer help Phillies with J.T. Realmuto? - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Springer will be a Blue Jay, LeMahieu returned to the Yankees, and the Phillies have a five-year offer exceeding $100 million out to Realmuto. Bauer is unsigned."

Springer off board, what's next for Mets? - (MLB.com)
"According to a source, the Mets’ best offer for Springer was six years at around $120-125 million. In the end, they were not close."

Podcast: Marlins arbitration settlements and top prospects - (Miami Herald)
"The Miami Marlins have deals in place with all of their arbitration-eligible players — and, for the most part, settled on terms near the higher end of MLB Trade Rumors’ projections."

What they said: The death of Don Sutton - (AJC.com)
"Hall of Fame pitcher and longtime Braves broadcaster Don Sutton died at age 75. Here’s some of what was being said around baseball about him on Tuesday."