The Morning Briefing: Can the Nationals Take Advantage of a Fire Sale Happening at the North Side of Chicago?

Good Monring, Washington Nationals Fans. Today is Wednesday, December 30, 2020.

Today's Top Story: Can the Nationals Take Advantage of a Fire Sale Happening at the North Side of Chicago?

It might be safe to think that after the Chicago Cubs traded  Yu Darvish and his catcher, Victor Caratini, the Chicago Cubs might be looking to offload some of the high-priced players start a rebuild for the future.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the most recent rumor coming out of Chicago is that the Cubs are “Extensively Shopping” 28-year-old catcher Willson Contreras.

[Read our full article on how the Nationals could take advanage of what's going on in Chicago]

In Major League Baseball news, free agent and 2020 Cy Young Winner Pitcher Trevor Bauer is allegedly looking for a five- or six-year deal worth over $200 million, says Jon Heyman, who also said Bauer was looking for around $36-$40 million annually. His agent, Rachel Luba, declined to comment on the report.

There are always reports about what a free agent wants, but what they can get is often a different story. Will Bauer get the money he wants over five or six years? We will have to see what 2021 will bring.

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Latest Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball Headlines

• Baseball prospects are being made close to Nationals Park in College Park, Maryland! via Talk Nats
• Three things we can learn from the Washington Nationals’ trade for Josh Bell via Federal Baseball
• Cubs’ teardown is a cautionary tale for Nationals via MASN Sports Washington
• Josh Bell is Perfect for the Washington Nationals via Baseball Essential
• Marcell Ozuna? Michael Brantley? No thanks. A major caveat for D.C.’s next bat via the Athletic
• Nationals biggest 2020 storylines: 19-31 rears its ugly head via NBC Sports Washington
• The 24 Hours that Changed San Diego via StatsPerform
• A look at what the Nationals gave up for Josh Bell via Washington Post
• Opinion: Undaunted Padres showing rest of MLB how it's done by shoving all chips to middle via USA Today
• Royals reunite with veteran right-hander Ervin Santana on a minor-league deal via Kansas City Star

Around the NL East

New York Mets

• Cohen: “Newsflash, The Mets Farm System Needs To Be Replenished” via MetsMerized Online

Atlanta Braves

• Atlanta Braves might do well to shop in Chicago right now via Talking Chop

Miami Marlins

• All-Time Marlins Countdown: Chapter 73 via Fish Stripes

Philadelphia Phillies

• Philadelphia Phillies get Jose Alvarado in 3-team trade with Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers via ESPN