Wire Taps: Washington Nationals bring Ryan Zimmerman back for 2021; MASN news; Hank Aaron stories + more...

RIP, Hank Aaron. 2021 is not off to a great start. Go read your links.

Start with this one. Someone better broadcast Spring Training games or we will... probably just complain a lot.

NATS BEAT:

TKCHZ!! TKCHZ!!!:

Ryan Zimmerman re-signing with Nationals on one-year deal - (Washington Times)
"He’s the ideal fit to accompany Josh Bell at first base — Bell, a switch-hitter, excels predominantly against right-handed pitching. Zimmerman has a .311 career average against southpaws."

Ryan Zimmerman to return to Washington Nationals on one-year deal - (WaPost)
“At 36, Zimmerman will back up Josh Bell and provide a right-handed bat off Manager Dave Martinez’s bench.”

Zimmerman will return to Nats for 2021 on one-year deal - (MASN)
"And the Nationals aren’t just bringing him back out of a sense of loyalty, but because they actually need his particular set of skills."

Zimmerman, Nats have 1-year deal (source) - (MLB.com)
"Washington agreed to a one-year contract with Zimmerman on Friday, according to a source. The club has not confirmed the deal."

Other Nats Stories:

Pineda gained valuable experience in Fredericksburg over summer - (MASN)
"One of the well regarded backstops in the Nationals organization is Israel Pineda, ranked No. 12 on the Nats top 30 prospects list from MLBPipeline.com."

Young arms need to step up if Nats want better prospect ranking - (MASN)
"Prospect rankings should always be taken with a grain of salt. And if there’s anyone in baseball whose mouth is over-seasoned from lack of interest in prospect rankings, it’s Mike Rizzo."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Nationals Sign Hernan Perez To Minor League Deal - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"The Nationals and veteran utility man Hernan Perez are in agreement on a minor league deal that contains an invitation to Major League Spring Training."

MLB offseason -- Biggest winners, losers and moves we'd still make - (ESPN)
"If [Josh Bell] finds his way again, the Nationals -- desperate for both a first baseman and a middle-of-the-order bat when the offseason began -- could end up with one of the offseason's best bargains."

Cubs needed Jon Lester to end curse, but team just snubbed him - (USA TODAY)
"Jon Lester, one of the greatest free-agent signings in Cubs history, was supposed to leave Chicago on his terms, pitching at least one final season, winning his 200th game in a Cubs uniform."

Each presidency's home run kings - (MLB.com)
"[Buck Freeman] didn't play in the big leagues at all in '97 and had just three homers in '98 before surging up this leaderboard with his breakout season for the Washington Senators."

Fullerton star Suzuki eyes another SoCal title - (MLB.com)
"Now, after traveling the country as a professional on a 14-year journey through the big leagues that includes a World Series title in 2019 with the Nationals, the 37-year old Suzuki returns to Orange County..."

NL EAST UPDATES:

MLB rumors: Phillies make J.T. Realmuto offer over $100 million; Justin Turner remains Dodgers' top choice - (CBSSports.com)
"The Phillies are believed to be offering free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto a deal in the $110 million range, reports MLB Network's Jon Heyman."

Trevor Bauer investment puzzle Mets are facing: Sherman - (NY Post)
"The Mets are weighing whether to invest in one more big item this offseason or add multiple players to deepen the quality of the overall roster."

Bass, Marlins agree to 2-year deal (source) - (MLB.com)
"The Marlins have agreed to a two-year deal with a club option for 2023 with free-agent reliever Anthony Bass, a source told MLB Network Insider Jon Paul Morosi. The club hasn’t confirmed the agreement."

Braves spring training: What are most important roster developments? - (AJC.com)
"The Braves’ roster is mostly set outside left field, so spring training – in whatever form it’s staged – won’t offer much intrigue."