The Washington Nationals have their work cut out for them this offseason. They’re in need of a starting catcher, a center fielder, and a backend reliever. Yesterday, the Nationals were linked to a very interesting name on the trade block.
According to Bon Nightengale, the Nationals have inquired about a potential trade for Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale.
The Washington #Nats among the latest teams to inquire on #Whitesox ace Chris Sale, but no serious talks with anyone yet
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 14, 2016
Washington Nationals Should Not Trade for Chris Sale
Sale is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and the best lefty arm in the game after Clayton Kershaw. He is one of the more intimidating pitchers around, but he has not pitched up to elite standards recently. While still a force on the mound, Sale has recorded ERA’s over 3.30 the last two years. Despite that, he’s still valued at, or near, a king’s ransom. For that reason, the Nationals shouldn’t be looking to acquire him.
An Elite Pitcher isn’t an Area of Need for Washington
The Nationals are playing for a National League pennant, but acquiring Sale doesn’t make them much better. The Nationals rotation currently features former CY Young winner Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, the crafty Tanner Roark, youngster Joe Ross, and southpaw Gio Gonzalez. That rotation was among the best in MLB last year, and there is no reason for the Nationals to value a starter over an area of true need, such as catcher or closer. Also, if the Nationals were to trade for Sale, who would they give up?
What Would the Nationals Trade for Chris Sale?
The Nats have a very good farm system, one that could entice a team like the White Sox to deal a player like Sale, but is it really worth it? For example, if the Nationals were to trade Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez (their top two pitching prospects) they would be sacrificing two young pitchers who would’ve probably been on the 2017 roster. Lopez is also likely to start next season, under the scenario that the Nationals deal Gonzalez. Another scenario could include the Nationals dealing another top prospect, outfielder Victor Robles.
Sale isn’t Worth the Nationals Dealing Away their Future
While Robles hasn’t played a game in the majors, he is considered by some as the best prospect in the Nationals organization; he’s also set up to start in the future. With outfielder Jayson Werth heading into the final year of his seven-year deal, Robles is lined up to play alongside Bryce Harper, and whoever else the Nationals bring in this offseason, in the outfield come 2018. Is it really in the Nationals best interest to give up on a young player who they think the world of in order to make an unnecessary acquisition? The answer is no, and the Nationals recent run with a “super rotation” is evidence that a trade for Sale could be a disaster.
The Super Rotation Experiment has Failed in the Past
Nearly two years ago, the Nationals signed Scherzer to a seven-year deal; however, he was an unnecessary signing. With Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gonzalez, Roark, and Doug Fister coming off a career year, the last thing the Nationals needed was a starting pitcher. They went on to sign Scherzer anyway, and it ended up being a disaster. Despite pitching at an elite level, Scherzer was the only arm in the Nationals rotation who pitched anywhere near their elite standards. As a result, the Nationals missed the playoffs.
While Scherzer is one of the five best pitchers in all of baseball, the Nationals didn’t need to sign him when they did. They attempted to strengthen a strength, which proved to be an unnecessary move on their part, as it only doomed them. The Nationals should use this as a cautionary tale against pursuing Chris Sale.
The Washington Nationals should not touch Chris Sale with a ten foot pole. He’s an elite pitcher, but acquiring him would be attempting to strengthen a strength. The Nationals should opt to improve in areas of need, not strength.
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