Nationals Notes: Left-Handed Relievers, Buck

After acquiring starter Doug Fister via trade and signing Nate McLouth for outfield depth, the Nationals figure to turn to the next two items on their list of possible additions: left-handed reliever and backup catcher. Here are a few notes on the club's most recent efforts in those areas:

• The Nationals are in contract talks with southpaw Eric O'Flaherty, tweets Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Discussions between Washington and O'Flaherty's representatives at MVP Sports Group appear to have gained steam since Kilgore reported on Thursday that the sides had maintained an ongoing dialogue. 
• J.P. Howell stood atop of the club's list of left-handed targets at the start of the offseason, tweets Kilgore, but he and the team have "differed" on contract length. Boone Logan and Scott Downs are also among the top available guys on the Nats' wish list, Kilgore notes.
• A baseball source tells Bill Ladson of MLB.com that the Nationals have interest in John Buck as a backup catcher. The Nationals hope to add a catcher that can log significant innings in the event of an injury to starter Wilson Ramos, says Ladson, and Buck would fit the bill. The 33-year-old has also recently been linked with the Twins. Buck played in 110 games last year for the Mets and Pirates, posting a combined .219/.285/.362 line in 431 plate appearances.

Jeff Todd contributed to this post.