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Rumors: Washington Nationals Reportedly Shopping Gio Gonzalez, Hoping to Sign Wei-Yin Chen

By Matt Weyrich

Sep 5, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) throws to the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) throws to the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

The Washington Nationals have been reported to be shopping left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez in hopes of signing free agent Wei-Yin Chen.

As Spring Training draws closer, Opening Day lineups finally begin to take shape and the final free agents come off the board. The Nationals, hoping to bounce back after missing the playoffs in 2015, head into the final months of the offseason having restructured several components of their rosters. However, they may not be done yet.

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According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Nats have been open to the idea of trading starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez for a starting outfielder. In order to fill the void in the rotation, Washington has apparently been in contact with former Baltimore Oriole Wei-Yin Chen.

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Gonzalez wrapped up his fourth season with the Nats in 2015, posting a 3.79 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 175.2 innings. His best season came in 2012, when he finished third in NL Cy Young voting after compiling 21 wins and 207 strikeouts. Since then, Gonzalez has remained a productive starter, but has struggled with his command (posting a 3.4 BB/9 between 2012-2015) and health (failing to eclipse 180 innings in each of his previous two seasons).

Aug 21, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen (16) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen (16) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Wei-Yin Chen has spent his entire four year career with the Orioles, putting up a combined 3.72 ERA while averaging 136.8 strikeouts per season. While he has struggled with the long ball (career 1.2 HR/9), Chen has remained steadily productive while watching his ERA drop each season. At 30-years old, the Taiwanese native has been reported to be seeking a deal in the five-year, $100 million range.

If traded, Gio would likely command an everyday outfielder that could be inserted right into the starting lineup. Players that would seemingly fit this bill include the entire Rockies outfield, Josh Reddick, Jay Bruce and Andre Ethier, among others. The Nats are still in need of a leadoff hitter, preferably one that could replace the soon-to-be 25-year old Michael Taylor in center field after his promising yet concerning rookie campaign.

It remains to be seen whether the Nats will make a move, as Mike Rizzo said at recently acquired second baseman Daniel Murphy’s press conference, “If there’s a value out there that can help the ballclub, then we would certainly look into it, but we like our depth and we like our talent level.”

Would you want to see Gonzalez traded? Would Chen be a viable replacement? Is Michael Taylor ready to take over a starting role in the lineup? What outfielders would justify this trade?

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