Chris Sale was the only starting pitcher that drew the Nationals’ interest, and after missing out on the southpaw, Washington won’t pursue any other rotation options, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports. That includes Sale’s former teammate Jose Quintana, who was reported yesterday by FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman as a Nats target.
Starting pitching, of course, wasn’t a major need for the Nationals anyway this offseason. They’ll head into 2017 with a very strong projected rotation of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark, Gio Gonzalez and Joe Ross, plus an enviable amount of young starting depth with the likes of Lucas Giolito, A.J. Cole, Reynaldo Lopez. Clearly, the Nats saw Sale as a unique case, and they were willing to give up an incredible amount of young talent for a top ace who is controllable through 2019 on a team-friendly contract.
If rotation help is no longer a priority, the question now becomes where the Nationals will go next for roster upgrades. With Mark Melancon signed by the Giants and Wade Davis perhaps on the verge of becoming a Cub, closer would be the next logical avenue. Rosenthal reports that the Nationals “consider themselves a longshot” to sign Aroldis Chapman due to a price tag that will likely be out of their comfort zone, and the same will probably be true of Kenley Jansen, the other ace closer remaining on the market.
If the big three free agent closers and Davis are all off the board, the Nats could look to sign one or two lower-tier relievers with closing experience rather than splurge on one star closer (the Marlins and Yankees are exploring similar “backup plans” if they can’t sign Chapman or Jansen). Washington could then address its other major need in center field, though with Bryce Harper’s ability to handle center, the Nats could also continue to pursue short-term right field options as well.
Nightengale just reported that there are serious talks for Q between the Sox, and the Nats and Astros.
Dang, you beat me to it. I am too slow of a typer..
I think the nationals are eying an “ace 1-3” typed playoff rotation.
And Jon Heyman has said the same thing.
Welcome to the world of sports where misinformation is the norm and nobody wants to show their hand.
Are you suggesting that there may be posturing and gamesmanship involved in trade and free agency talks? Surely everyone involved is too honest for such things.
This seems a bit confusing since Bob Nightengale just tweeted the White Sox have had serious discussions with the Nats for Quintana.
I dont believe you
The Yankees should get on Quintana…this is where Cashman’s focus should be. But no, I have to hear about how much the Yankees are interested in signing Rueben Tejada to a minors deal…unbelievable.
Yankee fans are never happy.. You have the best farm system and a bad big league team. Why hurt ur farm drastically to be an 80 win team instead of 75?
They don’t have the best farm system. They have a top 10 one. Maybe top 5. But dodgers, rangers, braves, Cubs, all are better. I’m sure there’s more that didn’t jump out at me that I’m missing
The Rangers system is not better, and the other 3 are close. The Yankees easily have a top 5 farm
Stop hating, dude. Cubs have a better system than the Yanks? Uh, no! Neither do the Dodgers nor the Rangers. The Braves have an excellent system, but the Yanks have more depth.
Enjoy last place. Go Red Sox!
Because games are always won on paper. Sox fans surely know that – nesn.com/2011/01/2011-red-sox-will-challenge-1927-…
Yankees are rebuilding and not in win now mode. Why would they give up the prospects for Quintana? He would cost almost as much as Sale. Quintana is younger, has one more year of control and doesn’t have the durability questions that Sale has.
It’s funny that someone who averages ~30 starts a season for their career has “durability issues.”
I agree, people are worried about his arm just blowing up on him, but the man has been a rock thus far. Who wants to be holding the bill when it lets loose, though? Hopefully, for his sake, it never happens.
Plus Q is not a head case like Sale. Can’t wait until Red Sox have a throwback jersey night. it’s going to be epic.
Clubhouse will be like the psych floor. Everything sharp tied to the nurse desk with steel cable.
Wish they never dropped him. That move still stings.
Ha! Okay…… Not after starting pitching? Um, they have only been after a starters throughout the winter meetings.
I’ve always liked Strasburg but with his injury concerns they need pitching depth. Quintana is a stud
I was thinking go after Q….and have Max….Q and Roark as your 3 guys with Strasburg as Closer….with his arm issues in the past he will cut his innings down from 180-220 to roughly 85-90….his stuff is still electric but it may be even better as a Closer….I always thought the Cubs should have done that with Prior…
Quintana is very needed! Let’s face it Gio Gonzalez has been absolutely terrible in the last 2 or 3 seasons, we don’t know how Strasburgs health will be and Joe Ross hasn’t really Proven himself yet. Plus if they want Cutch then either Giolito or Joe Ross is ganna have to be dealt.
Gio has been worth at least 3 WAR last 4 seasons. He is a perfectly fine #5 on that team. Strasburg has had health issues no doubt but you know what you will get from him. As far as Ross is concerned, we were saying the same thing about Roark for a long time. Ross is a pretty good #3-4 pitcher.
Heyman just confirmed they talked to the Sox last night about Quintana.
If the Nationals want to beat the Cubs they should get Verlander, he’s a horse that also knows how to pitch in playoff atmosphere. Besides Max , the Nationals cannot rely on anybody else to stay healthy or compete at that level. JV big contract but Nats could afford it and would take less prospect wise than Sale.