Jordan Zimmermann was roughed up by the Boston Red Sox on Monday, but that may not change their stance on the right-hander. The Washington Nationals revealed the two sides discussed possible trade scenarios in the offseason and confirmed the previous rumors.
Once the Nats signed Max Scherzer to a seven-year, $210 million deal, the trade rumors started swirling like no other and it was believed Washington could trade Zimmermann, who is scheduled to become a free agent after the season, or Stephen Strasburg, who is about to enter his lucrative arbitration years.
However, the team has kept all of their starters and seemingly plans to move forward with the best rotation in the MLB with hopes of reaching the World Series. The Red Sox were one of the teams that apparently inquired about Zimmermann.
"Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said yesterday that he had many discussions with Sox GM Ben Cherington, and while 'sometimes it looks like a reasonable matchup on paper, it just doesn't work out,'" writes Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald.
"I don't think we laughed away any of [the offers]," Rizzo added. "We took them all serious. We were fortunate to be in a position where we didn't have to move the player and if we would've got the right deal we would've. The right deal is in the eye of the beholder and we felt like we needed to get legitimate value for who Zimmermann was, and not the fact that he has one year left of control."
Earlier in the offseason Rizzo noted the team was open to trading Zimmermann as well as shortstop Ian Desmond if the deal made "baseball sense," so the possibility is obviously there if he's presented with an offer to his liking. It's hard to believe Rizzo is going to let both of these stars walk after the season, specifically Zimmermann, and get zero value in return for them, especially since the team has formidable pitching prospects (Lucas Giolito and A.J. Cole) as well as Tanner Roark, who was relegated to the bullpen once Scherzer joined the rotation.
Boston has been trying to acquire Cole Hamels from the Philadelphia Phillies since last July in their efforts to add an ace to their rotation, but general manager Ruben Amaro wants outfielder Mookie Betts or prospect catcher Blake Swihart in a deal for the left-hander - two players the Red Sox have reiterated they are unwilling to surrender. Zimmermann couldn't command such value in a deal considering he'll be a free agent after the season, while Hamels is under contract for another four seasons. So what kind of a package would Zimmermann yield?
"The Red Sox boast surpluses of left-handed pitchers (Henry Owens, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brian Johnson) and left-side infielders (shortstop Deven Marrero, third baseman/outfielder Garin Cecchini) who are close to major-league-ready," writes FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, regarding a possible trade for Hamels. "They've also got a number of other prospects at various stages of development who could interest the Phillies (righty Matt Barnes, outfielder Manuel Margot, third baseman Rafael Devers). Even [catcher Christian] Vazquez would be worthy of exploration."
"Some combination of the above names should do it - sorry, the Red Sox cannot keep them all."
Such names would likely be in play for a Zimmermann deal, but combinations of players would certainly be limited. Depending on what Rizzo wants/if he's willing to trade Zimmermann and what the Red Sox are willing to give up for a potential rental pitcher, the two sides are more than capable of working out a deal.
After all, Rizzo praised Cherington and the Red Sox organization.
"I have ultimate respect for Ben and the group he has here," he added. "They've done a hell of a job here. They're very capable."
Will a deal get done before July 31?
