The Morning Briefing: Is it a cold stove?

Good Morning, Happy Tuesday. Here are your Tuesday Morning headlines, analysis, and more for December 3, 2024.

Happy Tuesday morning, Washington Nationals fans. Happy Giving Tuesday! If you want a good non-profit to donate to today, consider donating to the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy! Nationals Philanthropies, the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals, is a platform for collective action to generate a greater impact than the sum of its parts. Teaming up with Nationals fans, businesses, foundations, and civic leaders we work to improve lives in the region through transformational philanthropy, youth development, and civic leadership.

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SHOULD THE NATIONALS TRADE FOR JORAN MONTGOMERY? Yesterday, Jonhny wrote an article focusing on whether the Washington Nationals should trade for New York Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery. From the article: "On the surface, I can see where one would think this is a bad idea, as he finished the 2024 season with a 6.23 ERA, a 1.65 WHIP, and accumulating WAR (wins above replacement) of -1.4. But I personally believe that last season was an anomaly for Montgomery and not the norm. In his career, Montgomery pitched for a career ERA of 4.03 and a WHIP of 1.268, which is much better than his 2024 season numbers, thus making him due for some progression to the mean type of season."

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ICYMI: Owen released Part one of three of our ranking of our top prospects yesterday. Check it out, and don't forget to share it with others. We will release Part Two later today, so be sure to follow us all day.

Blake Snell's recent signing with the Dodgers raises the question: Which other free agents could join a division rival? Here are seven potential matches via MLB.com

File this into the What is Happening category. Major Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred claims there's "buzz" around Manfred's latest idea to increase excitement during baseball games with a "golden at-bat" rule. "There are a variety of [rule change ideas] that are being talked about out there. One of them—there was a little buzz around it at an owners' meeting—was the idea of a 'Golden At-Bat.'" Manfred said on The Varsity podcast. The basic concept of the "Golden At-Bat" rule is that a team could choose one at-bat in every game to use the team's best hitter regardless of where they are in the lineup.

Yeah, I don't know; I think there are many other ways to improve and increase excitement around the sport than this crazy out-of-the-box idea. Sports Illustrated has the low-down.

One less team in the Soto Sweepstakes. According to At-Bat.com, it looks like there is one less team that is interested in signing Juan Soto to their lineup: the Los Angeles Dodgers. The site says, "The Dodgers are more interested in bringing back fellow Dominican outfielderTeoscar Hernández..."