Nats Enquirer

If Michael Morse's modeling career doesn't work out, at least he'll have baseball for the next two years.

While you're sitting around wondering what the hell is going on with Prince Fielder, take a moment to bask in the glow of the new 2 year, $10.5 million extension Michael Morse got from the Nats with the above photo of Michael Morse in a Santa hat with a bat on his shoulder (Photo via 22Fresh on Facebook). Seeems like only yesterday when we were marvelling at Morse's modeling career.

So what happened, anyway? Did Scott Boras's plane get diverted to Miami on its way to Washington DC today, or what?

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In other Washington Nationals Hot Stove News: Michael Morse is a model.

While you're sitting around wondering what time Scott Boras's flight arrives at Reagan National on Friday (we're kidding, of course), up above is the latest and greatest Michael Morse ad for 22 Fresh (image lifted from the 22 Fresh FB page). Maybe if this whole baseball thing doesn't work out, Michael Morse has a fallback career in modeling waiting for him? Based on this winter alone, Morse certainly seems to be on a fast track: Back in December, there was the Michael Morse BeastMode Collection campaign. And who can forget Michael Morse in a Santa hat with a bat on his shoulder?

*sigh* There's only, what, 30 days until pitchers and catchers report? Wonder if Prince Fielder will have a new home by then?

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Ted Lerner didn't blink...

(When Ted Lerner laughs, the world laughs with him. Well, not Scott Boras. That's an AP Photo.)

Remember last Friday night when we suggested that Ted Lerner was probably, at that very moment, wearing a tux, sipping a scotch, and smiling, all the while nodding knowingly in the wake of news of a sham of a top-secret meeting between the Rangers and Prince Fielder/Boras at the same hotel where Joel Hanrahan was getting married? (Coincidence? Nice one, Scott!)

Watch Bryce Harper hit in a batting cage, with Kanye's "All of the Lights" as soundtrack

While you're sitting around waiting for Prince Fielder news (down to Texas, Washington, Miami, Toronto, our so it's been said), here's video of Bryce Harper raking in the batting cages this week with "All Of The Lights" by Kanye West blaring in the background. Indeed, that's the starting right fielder for the Washington Nationals -- effective immediately (that is, if Davey Johnson has anything to do with it).

Meanwhile, on MASNSports.com, Byron Kerr's interview with Tony Beasley (Harper's manager in AA Harrisburg; soon-to-be Harper's manager in Syracuse?) is certainly worth your time. Here's Beasley on Harper's defense, and approach:

Prince Fielder could have a problem with Ben's Chili Bowl

Maybe it's a good thing if the PF Flyer ends up in Texas -- could Prince Fielder's downfall if he ends up in Washington be a Half-Smoke, all the way (Photo above via reddawg31)? All the talk about Prince Fielder being a vegetarian?

Sporting News: Are you still a vegetarian?

Prince Fielder: Nope. No more of that anymore. It was OK, but as far as the schedule and all that and trying to eat like that, that's a lot of work and something you have to map out. I still eat good, though.
(via Sporting News.com, 8/15/2011)

Fielder "slayed by BBQ in St. Louis" last year (H/T YahooSports/Big League Stew)?

Anyway, despite the Rangers reportedly being impressed with how "trim" Fielder looked during their not-so top secret meeting in Texas on Friday...with options like Ben's in the District, can you blame Ted Lerner for not wanting to budge past, say, six, seven years, for fear of what could happen to Fielder's waistline over the length of contract?

Meanwhile, Dallas Morning News's Evan Grant says (in his opinion!) it's clear that Fielder wants to be a Ranger:

But it’s very, very clear that this is where he wants to be. He’s waiting all winter, guys who normally have the kind of contract demands he has usually sign in December. We’re now in the second week of January and he’s still sitting there unsigned. It appears that he and Scott Boras have been waiting all along for the Rangers to get their Darvish situation settled so they could get down to brass tacks between Prince and the Rangers.
(Evan Grant, via DallasNews.com, 1/16/2012)

Maybe Prince just has a soft spot for Texas BBQ?

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In other Washington Nationals Hot Stove news: Stephen Strasburg nearly got a hole in one

While you're sitting around waiting for Prince Fielder news (all quiet on the Nats side of the world, just a waiting game now?), enjoy the photo above (via @stras37 on Twitter). Indeed, Stephen Strasburg nearly got a hole in one on a par three today.

Hey, only 34 days until pitchers and catchers report! Wonder if Prince Fielder will have a team by then?

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What about Zim?

Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman sits on the field after being forced out at second base in a double play by the Florida Marlins during the 11th inning of their MLB National League baseball game in Washington, September 17, 2011. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

 

This much is clear: based on yesterday's news of a five-year, $42 million extension for Gio Gonzalez, the Nats consider Nat Gio to be an important piece of the organization's future.

Good on the Nats for extending him now (*shrug* why now?): Sounds like Jordan Zimmermann could be next in line, and this sets the bar.

But what about that other guy, Ryan Zimmerman? Where does the (former?) Face of the Franchise fit in in Mike Rizzo's Phase 2? Or is this Phase 3?

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In other Washington Nationals Hot Stove news: Michael Morse in a sombrero

While you're sitting around waiting for news on Prince Fielder, enjoy the photo above of Michael Morse in a sombrero, via Michael Morse's Facebook page. "Mi Madre en Mexico (Epcot)" says Morse.

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Watch a four minute video of Yoennis Cespedes striking out to the sound of vuvuzelas

MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported Saturday night that the Washington Nationals are out of the running for Yoennis Cespedes, which could mean one of two things: 1. They're all in. 2. They're out because the timing isn't right because of the PF Flyer (this according to a person who knows stuff). We'll go with #2.

Watch Drew Storen's pitching mechanics in slow motion

While you're sitting around waiting for the next "mystery team" to emerge in the running for Prince Fielder (yes, we're looking at you, Arizona Diamondbacks), enjoy the video above of Drew Storen's mechanics in slow motion (not the guys who fix his car) via Pitchers Power Drive dot com.

So, just what the heck is Pitchers Power Drive, anyway? A car? A race? A pill? No, silly. It's a device! Via the company website:

"The device teaches by a combination of auditory sound and kinetic feel, the two most important multi-sensory leaning methods. The early timing of hearing this click trains pitchers to initiate power with their back hip which keeps their weight over the rubber longer. This weight transfers into their standing leg, thigh, knee and foot thus giving an explosive hip and torso at landing. The device allows them to feel and hear the power of their initial movement from knee lift down the mound with a proper hip lead. The clicking sound of the strike plate allows immediate auditory sound and kinetic feedback."

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