Last week there were talks of the Chicago Cubs looking to acquire Washington Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann in a trade. Although such discussions were refuted, the Nationals have informed other MLB teams on Thursday that the right-hander is "available."
Zimmermann, along with starter Doug Fister, will be a free agent at the end of the 2015. Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweeted earlier today that the Nats have said both pitchers are available if Washington receives a "strong return." This poses a bit of an issue because it's unlikely the Nationals find cooperative trade partners for two rental players. Zimmermann is especially much less attractive at $16.5 million for 2015, while Fister's salary is not yet determined because he is arbitration eligible.
However, if the Nats and their hypothetical trade partner were to potentially agree to a 72-hour window that would allow the deal to go through only if an extension was reached with Zimmermann or Fister, then a trade with a "strong return" could be more likely. At this point the Nationals' plan is relatively unknown, but their logic makes sense. They perhaps have been unable to reach extensions with one or both pitchers and/or deemed them too costly. General manager Mike Rizzo has said during this offseason he has "an eye on 2015 and also beyond," indicating various personnel decisions may occur.
Does this mean the team is attempting to rid themselves of these two salaries to sign free-agent Max Scherzer?
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal has narrowed down the possible destinations for Scherzer and the Washington Nationals are one of them. Interestingly enough, Rizzo was the Arizona Diamondbacks' scouting director in 2006, which was the same year the team selected Scherzer in the first round. Rizzo became the Nationals' GM during the 2009 season and now has the opportunity of landing Scherzer in the prime of his career.
"Sure, they're stacked with starting pitching," writes Rosenthal. "But right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister are entering their free-agent years. Zimmermann has rejected multiple extension offers. Why not trade Zimmermann and invest in Scherzer?"
It wouldn't be a bad idea because the team has Stephen Strasburg under club control until 2017, Gio Gonzalez through 2017 (and a vesting option for 2018) and Tanner Roark through 2020. If they manage to sign Scherzer then he would be their true No. 1 starter since he's compiled 55-15 record with a 3.24 ERA in 97 starts over the past three seasons while Strasburg hasn't been as consistent (but fairly close). Granted, Scherzer had one of the top offenses in baseball as a member of the Detroit Tigers, but he's been very reliable nonetheless.
Additionally, the Nationals have starter Lucas Giolito in the minors who is their No. 1 prospect and one of the top in the MLB. The 20-year-old went 10-2 this past season with a 2.20 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 20 starts with Class-A Hagerstown. He's expected to make his major league debut in 2016, so getting value for Zimmermann and/or Fister while adding Scherzer would be a great plan for "2015 and beyond."
