Pairing a high-end Washington Nationals pitching prospect with outfield prospect Victor Robles in an Andrew McCutchen trade could be too much for the Nationals, according to a source.
Sources told the Post-Gazette's Stephen J. Nesbitt earlier this week that the Pirates discussed trades involving McCutchen with the Nationals, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, and they have probably had conversations with many more teams. The Nationals appear to be a match: Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported the Pirates want the 19-year-old Robles as part of the package in exchange for McCutchen.
The Pirates need all kinds of starting pitching, and the Nationals have some good young ones: Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito, Joe Ross, A.J. Cole. But one evaluator described the Nationals as very, very high on the five-tool Robles. The rest of their system, position player-wise, is not seen to be as strong, so packaging one of the top-tier young pitching prospects might give Washington pause.
Baseball America ranked Robles as the organization's No. 3 prospect before the season, and he hit .280/.376/.423 with nine homers and 37 steals across three minor league levels (ending in high-A) in 2016.
One option who could make sense is Gio Gonzalez, a 31-year-old lefty who would fulfill the Pirates' wish to acquire a veteran starter. He is owed $12 million in 2017 and has a $12 million club option for '18, which vests at 180 innings pitched. Last season was a down year _ he had a 4.57 ERA in 177 1/3 innings _ but from 2010, when he joined the rotation full-time, to '15, he had a 3.31 ERA, two All-Star appearances and a third-place Cy Young finish.
Teams who have talked to the Pirates say they've been told they have some money to spend, most likely from dealing Francisco Liriano at the deadline. Moving McCutchen would provide even more (but with the Pirates, money to spend is only theoretical until they spend it).
Also of note: If the Nationals traded for McCutchen, it would likely mean either he or Bryce Harper would play center field. The fact that the Nats view McCutchen as a potential center fielder might indicate industry perception of his defense is more favorable than we might have thought.
ESPN's Jayson Stark reported the Nationals want to get this done soon: Acquiring McCutchen pushes Trea Turner to short and means Washington can try to move Danny Espinosa before Friday's non-tender deadline. That could give the Pirates slight leverage.
