And we're back after a postseason (and post-postseason) hiatus. Quite the playoffs there, huh? Not a lot of drama outside of the ALCS, but imagine how different the playoffs would have been had Chad Cordero not had that meltdown at Coors Field on August 24.

• The hearts of Nats Nation skipped a beat when the team announced Ryan Zimmerman broke his wrist over the weekend during a routine batting practice session. The good news: he'll undergo surgery to repair the broken left hamate bone today and should be at 100 percent in four to six weeks. Zimmerman said his hand had been bothering him near the end of the year.
• DC Council members are "outraged" that the team will hold some events outside the city, including a gala dinner for its charitable foundation at National Harbor and a fan fest in Bethesda. Team officials say that they're getting the National Harbor hotel space free of charge, and no DC hotels were available in late January to host the fan fest. Regardless, council members, even those who supported the new ballpark, were said to be irate, perhaps to the point of being hyperbolic. "This once again truly demonstrates why we should have been a little shrewder about selecting owners for the Nationals," said Marion Barry. Uh, Marion? It wasn't your decision. (The good news in all this, though, is that there actually will be a fan fest this offseason.)
• As the hot stove fires up, the Post reports that team president Stan Kasten met with Andruw Jones recently in Atlanta, although that meeting was described as "extremely preliminary" (whatever that means.) Jim Bowden has also "touched base" with the agents for Aaron Rowand and Torii Hunter. If those top center fielders are out of reach, Mike Cameron has expressed an interest in the Nats.
• On the pitching side, both Tom Glavine and former Nat Livan Hernandez are interested in signing with the Nats and that "the feelings are mutual", according to MLB.com. One other veteran option is no longer available, though: Curt Schilling has signed a one-year deal to remain with the Red Sox.
• It may be the offseason, but Bill Ladson's mailbag is alive and well. He says he would not be surprised to see the team try and trade Felipe Lopez, but "For whom? I don't know yet." As for how long it will be before the Nats can "realistically" try for the playoffs? "Ask me this question after the Winter Meetings."