Nationals’ teammates Harper, Papelbon at peace with each other

In San Francisco, where Baker managed for 10 seasons, he famously presided over a 2002 Giants squad that withstood a very public dugout brawl between mercurial stars Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent and went on to come within one game of winning the World Series.

“I really don’t know”.

“I think Bryce understands where I’m coming from and it’s squashed and it’s good and we’re going to move on”. Somehow Papelbon amazingly was allowed to continue pitching in the game, and somehow the Nationals have kept him on their roster.

“He’s under contract”, Rizzo said, noting that Papelbon’s option for ’16 was renegotiated and picked up as part of the deal.

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has reached out to teammate Jonathan Papelbon to make amends following their dugout altercation in September, reports Thomas Boswell of The Washington Post. “I’ve never been on a team that didn’t have any”, said Baker, who on Thursday was officially introduced as the Washington Nationals’ next manager.

“Papelbon and Harper are fine together”, a Nationals source told the newspaper. “Harp just wants to win”.

There has been speculation that Papelbon might be traded during this off-season. “All he cares about is that we have a 45-save relief pitcher who’s going to help us”. If the Nationals actually wanted to trade Papelbon, it’s in their best interest to make it look like they want to keep and hopefully drive up the price.

If they don’t, the old-school Baker, who’s not averse to running a ballclub that has an occasional brouhaha with opposing teams, too, can always hand out the boxing gloves in the bullpen and separate ’em in the clinches. He comes to D.C. with a resume that includes three Manager of the Year Awards, and more experience than any active manager besides Bruce Bochy (1,671 games). Will it be a season of the closer getting booed every time he takes the mound?