WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had a long conversation with Derek Norris, whom he selected in the fourth round of the 2007 Draft, traded away in December 2011 and then re-acquired last December with the idea that he would be his starting catcher this season. However, Rizzo wanted to tell Norris that the team was closing in on signing free-agent catcher Matt Wieters, a deal that was completed Friday morning.
"It's a difficult conversation to have, but it's part of the business and Derek knows that," Rizzo said. "We have a good, long relationship with him so that helped.