Wire Taps: Washington Nationals and Sean Doolittle still friends; Tanner Rainey ❤️ + more Nats links...

Sean Doolittle said goodbye to D.C. The start of Spring Training got a day closer. Tanner Rainey got some print love. I remembered that the Nationals drafted (but didn’t sign) Khris Davis. Trevor Bauer apologized to all Mets fans. And there was some news about a less bouncy baseball and Spring Training rules. It’s been a weird-ish 24 hours in baseball (and Nationals news). Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Sean Doolittle 'grateful' for Nats tenure, chance to learn from Scherzer, Strasburg - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Doolittle played an instrumental role on the field, but that was only part of the legacy he will leave in Washington."

Sean Doolittle, former Nationals reliever, signs with Cincinnati Reds - (Washington Times)
"The Cincinnati Reds officially announced Monday the signing of left-handed reliever Sean Doolittle, who spent the last three-and-a-half seasons with the Nationals."

Parra, Mercer join the Nationals - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals sign Gerardo Parra and Jordy Mercer to Minors deals and Jon Lester nears a milestone..."

When will Tanner Rainey be ready to close? - (MASN)
"So little went right for the Nationals last season that it’s easy to get excited about the players that made significant improvement. Tanner Rainey is one of them..."

Nationals Summer Camps - (MLB.com)
"We share one ultimate goal: every drill, swing, throw and eye-popping young fan experience unlocks your child's love of the game."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Nationals' top 5 Opening Day moments - (MLB.com)
"1. March 30, 2008 vs. Braves - The gates of Nationals Park opened to commence the 2008 season in a nationally televised matchup against the Braves."

10 things to know about new Rangers OF Khris Davis, including why he dropped the ‘Khrush’ nickname - (Dallas News)
"Davis chose to attend Cal State Fullerton during one of the program’s best NCAA runs rather than join the Washington Nationals organization straight out of high school. He was drafted in the 29th round in 2006."

C’mon, Do Something: A’s Sign Mike Fiers to One-Year Deal - (FanGraphs)
"On the other hand, winning teams tend to make more than just that type of acquisition. The Nationals signed Jon Lester, a Fiers-tier pitcher — and they also added Josh Bell, Brad Hand, and Kyle Schwarber."

Each team's biggest acquisition this winter - (MLB.com)
"Nationals: Josh Bell, 1B - Acquired via trade with Pirates - Lots of veterans coming to Washington this year, but Bell sure looks like the guy with the highest upside."

NL EAST UPDATES:

This Date In Transactions History: Marlins-Phillies Realmuto Trade - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"On February 7, 2019, the Phillies and Marlins lined up on a monumental intra-division trade. Miami sent J.T. Realmuto to Philadelphia in exchange for pitching prospects Sixto Sánchez and Will Stewart, as well as MLB catcher Jorge Alfaro."

Who will haunt Marlins more in coming years: Realmuto or Ozuna? - (Fish Stripes)
"The Marlins enter this campaign with one of MLB’s shakiest catching situations. This figures to be a make-or-break year for Jorge Alfaro, who coincidentally came from the Realmuto trade."

Dodgers’ Trevor Bauer apologizes to Mets fans - (New York Daily News)
"Bauer signed with the Dodgers Friday afternoon after many believed he would pick the Mets in the final two team showdown."

Leadoff: What Ozuna deal means for Braves’ payroll, further moves - (AJC.com)
"The Braves’ signing of Marcell Ozuna lifted their player payroll for this year to about $128.5 million..."