After swinging and missing on multiple deals, the Washington Nationals have finally made a trade.
According to Dan Hayes, the Nationals have acquired Chicago White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton.
#WhiteSox return includes Lucas Giolito, Dane Dunning and Reynaldo Lopez for Adam Eaton.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) December 7, 2016
The Nationals will send Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning to Chicago for Eaton.
Washington Nationals Acquire Adam Eaton
The Nationals came into the Winter Meetings in need of a center fielder and a closer, but they were also pursuing Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale; however, they didn’t end up getting him. After striking out on Sale, the Nationals opted to pursue a fellow White Sock in Eaton.
The acquisition of Eaton will fill the void in center field that existed for the Nationals, but he’ll also be a very productive bat in the order Washington. Over the past three seasons, Eaton has hit over .283 for the White Sox, and was a contact hitter, which is something the Nationals have been in search of. Eaton’s presence will also be beneficial because he will likely begin the year in center field, which will move Trea Turner back to his natural position at short.
Last year, Turner was moved out of his natural position at shortstop to center field so Danny Espinosa could remain in lineup. However, while Turner was great at the plate, he was mediocre at best in the outfield, so Eaton’s presence will help the Nationals from that aspect. Considering what they’re giving up for him, this is an average deal at best for the Nationals.
In the deal, the Nationals are sending their two best pitching prospects, and arguably their two best prospects in Giolito and Lopez to Chicago. Is Eaton worth that much? The answer is no.
While he has been one of the more underrated players in all of the baseball the last few years, he wasn’t worth the kings ransom of a deal that the Nationals gave up. However, despite the hefty trade package, Eaton will help the Nationals in the 2017 season.
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