Jim Callis on Giolito, Taylor, Fedde and a look at Nats' minor league system

SAN DIEGO - We saw quite a few changes in the National League East yesterday. Jimmy Rollins - to this point a career-long Phillie - was shipped out to Los Angeles and will now play shortstop for the Dodgers. Dee Gordon and former National Dan Haren were traded from the Dodgers to the Marlins, although Haren is now taking time to decide whether he'd rather retire or play another season away from his West Coast home. Antonio Bastardo was sent from the Phillies to the Pirates. The Mets are reportedly close to trading right-hander Dillon Gee. Update: Things have also gotten crazier out West with the Dodgers dealing Matt Kemp to the Padres, signing Brandon McCarthy and acquiring Howie Kendrick from the Angels. Also, the Red Sox are sending Yoenis Cespedes and two prospects to the Tigers for Rick Porcello. So it's been a big finish to the Winter Meetings in San Diego. Still nothing concrete to report on the Nationals' front, but general manager Mike Rizzo doesn't feel a need to complete a move by the time he leaves the Winter Meetings. That's not a timetable that the Nats are putting on themselves, and they still have plenty of time left to decide what will happen with Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Tyler Clippard and Doug Fister, and how they'll add an infielder to either play second base or third base. We're close to wrapping things up out here in San Diego; all that really remains of the Winter Meetings is the Rule 5 Draft later this morning. With that in mind, I caught up yesterday with Jim Callis, senior writer for MLB.com and MLBPipeline.com, to take a look at the Nats' farm system. Callis is one of the most knowledgeable prospect writers in the business, and he's also always willing to chat at the Winter Meetings about some of the young talent he's excited to see in the upcoming year. Below is our conversation, which touches on where Callis ranks Lucas Giolito among the pitching prospects across the baseball landscape, how he sees Michael A. Taylor progressing from here, and the Nats' most recent first-round pick, right-hander Erick Fedde. Finally, a quick programming note - I'm taking off from San Diego a bit early and flying back home, so Pete Kerzel will take you the rest of the way at the Winter Meetings. I'm subsequently taking a trip out of the country for a couple weeks - a rare chance to get some vacation time in and step away from my phone and laptop. Unfortunately, this means I'll miss Saturday's NatsFest, but I hope all of you who are attending have a great time. I'll check back in after the holidays. Take care, everyone.