Nationals Rumors: Harper, Ramos, Kimball, Rizzo

It's been a minute since we checked in with the Nationals -- let's see where they're at:

• Bryce Harper finishes his Arizona Fall League season - Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
  "After his strong performance, the Nationals have not ruled out letting Harper, widely regarded as the best prospect in baseball, compete to make the opening day roster out of spring training. Still, Harper will likely begin the season in the minors."

• Nationals won't rush Ramos back to action - Bill Ladson
  "Ramos' return to the field will come two weeks after he was kidnapped in the suburban neighborhood of Santa Ines in Venezuela. As many as 11 people have been arrested in connection with the abduction of Ramos, who was rescued two days after his capture."
• Washington Nationals Lose Cole Kimball To Toronto, More Roster Moves To Come. - Federal Baseball
  "The Washington Nationals lost Cole Kimball to the Toronto Blue Jays when they tried to outright the injured right-hander to Triple-A Syracuse. Kimball's not expected to be back on the hill in the majors until after the All-Star Break, but apparently former Nats' scouting director and current assistant to Toronto's GM Dana Brown and the Jays are willing to take a chance on his full recovery from surgery to repair his rotator cuff."
• Nationals bring back most of coaching staff - nationals.com
  "Hitting coach Rick Eckstein, pitching coach Steve McCatty, third-base coach Bo Porter, first-base coach Trent Jewett and bullpen coach Jim Lett will rejoin manager Davey Johnson's coaching staff for the 2012 season, the Nationals announced on Thursday. The club also announced that Randy Knorr will join the staff as bench coach."

• Nationals GM Mike Rizzo lays groundwork in trade for a center fielder, says his players are drawing interest - Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
  "We’re open to acquiring a player any means we can," Rizzo said. "I still think the logical way would be a trade route. That’s not to say that something else wouldn’t come up later on."
• Washington Nationals Name Randy Knorr Davey Johnson's Bench Coach. - Federal Baseball
  "The Washington Nationals announced tonight that Randy Knorr would be Davey Johnson's bench coach in 2012. Pat Corrales served as Johnson's bench coach in 2011, but will return to his role as a roving instructor."
• Dissecting the Nationals Rotation - Federal Baseball
  "The Nationals rotation has a way to go before it is ready to go toe to toe with what the Phillies trot out every day, but it is certainly ready to start competing seriously for wins in 2012."