Washington Nationals: Winter Meetings Day 2

The Washington Nationals will be busy on this Tuesday. Do they make a big trade today at the Winter Meetings? Check our live coverage here.

Is this the day the Washington Nationals score Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale? What other surprises are in store on this Tuesday?

Welcome to District on Deck’s rolling coverage of Day 2 of Major League Baseball’s Annual Winter Meetings.

I am Ron Juckett. My co-expert and partner in crime Ricky Keeler will join me later this afternoon as we spend another day liveblogging all the rumors, innuendo and maybe a deal or two.

We were all left hanging yesterday on the Nationals and White Sox nearly dealing Sale. Instead, we were told the Washington staff went for dinner.

Join us tonight live at 9 ET/6 PT for a livestream on the day’s events. Updates all day start in the next paragraph.

11:57 p.m – Jon Heyman of Fanrag Sports and MLB Network tweets that the Yankees aren’t the team that has offered Chapman reportedly $92 million. Is it a mystery team?

11:46 p.m – The Gomez deal is now done as Texas has signed him to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports:

11:40 p.m – Jeff Passan of YAHOO Sports tweets that the Rangers and center fielder Carlos Gomez are working on a deal. That would cross one of the center field options for the Nats off the list:

11:25 p.m – Jon Heyman of Fanrag Sports and MLB Network tweets that the team that has the $92 million offer for Chapman is not Miami:

10:53 p.m ET – Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that there is one team who says that Chapman has a $92 million offer, which would by far break the record for the most money given to a reliever:

10:50 p.m – Jeff Passan of YAHOO Sports tweets that the deal between the Royals and the Cubs involving Wade Davis isn’t expected to be finished tonight:

10:46 p.m – Jayson Stark of ESPN is reporting that Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has given permission to spend the big money on one of the elite free agent closers. If so, that is more bad news for the Nats:

10:38 p.m – Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and MLB Network is reporting the Cubs are once again close to landing Wade Davis. Once again, it appears the Nats will come up just short:

9:44 p.m – Jayson Stark of ESPN was the first to report that the Washington Nationals are trying to make a last minute attempt to get Wade Davis before the Cubs get him.

8:49 p.m – Sherman is reporting that pending a physical, Ramos and the Rays have agreed on a two-year deal:

8:38 p.m – Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeted that Ramos could be near a decision and has a multi-year offer from the Rays:

8:19 p.m – Cross another name off the closers list. Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that the Cubs are close to trading for Royals closer Wade Davis. That would give the reigning World Series champions a good bullpen once again:

8:08 p.m – Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post is reporting that the Tampa Bay Rays have a meeting tonight with former Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos:

8:02 p.m – Jon Heyman of Fanrag Sports and MLB Network tweets that the Washington Nationals have checked in on the White Sox other top starting pitcher, Jose Quintana:

7:02 p.m – We may see closer Wade Davis move to a new team very soon. Jeff Passan of YAHOO Sports tweeted that the teams expect Davis to be dealt quickly:

6:26 p.m – With Sale gone, the big ace that everyone will look to acquire now is Rays’ right-hander Chris Archer. But, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN, doesn’t sound like Tampa is ready to move him:

5:20 p.m – Mike Rizzo just had his session with the media and gave his comments on the Chris Sale trade to the Red Sox and what else the Nats might have planned:

5:03 p.m – Update on the closers market: According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, the Yankees have offered contracts to both Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen, two closers who the Nats are interested in acquiring:

Right now, I would consider the Yankees the favorites for Chapman unless the Nats end up overpaying.

4:50 p.m – Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and MLB Network tweets that the Nats could look to the Kansas City Royals as a trade target, whether its for center fielder Lorenzo Cain, closer Wade Davis, or starting pitcher Danny Duffy:

4:40 p.m – Mark Melancon had his press conference with the Giants today and here was an interesting comment from it, courtesy of the Giants twitter account:

4:07 p.m – With Sale off the board, it’s no surprise the Washington Nationals have turned their attention back to Andrew McCutchen. According to Byron Kerr from MASN, the Nats and Pirates are back talking again. Stay tuned:

3:41 p.m  – Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that if the Nats and the White Sox do want to make other deals with each other, they have good knowledge of each other’s system already:

3:20 p.m. – Let’s twist that knife a bit deeper, shall we:

Look, the Nats are still a very good team, but these last two tweets are killers. They had the best offer and still get trumped at the last minute. Be mad at Rizzo, but feel sympathy too. He had the right hand.

2:50 p.m. – Never bring a pillow to a gunfight:

Even if Turner was on the table, the Nationals could never had matched that. An amazing offer.

2:30 p.m. – Bet there are a few grains of truth in this:

These things happen. The tough part is the ChiSox still have players the Nats can use. David Robertson and Adam Eaton potentially fill the outfield and closer holes in the roster. Although things will be forgotten in the future, you would think that avenue is currently closed.

2:21 p.m. – This seems obvious, but Buster Olney reveals this:

In short, the Nats would need to add Trea Turner to Giolito and Robles. That price was way too high.

1:55 p.m. – Aside from all the air coming out of the proverbial balloon for the Nats, the deal is still not official. It is too far gone not to happen.

Remember, even if nothing sizeable happens this week, there are options on the table for all the perceived holes and the Nationals have until mid-February before Spring Training.

Still, coming so close and falling short stings every time.

1:13 p.m. – Red Sox scoop up Sale:

Boston gave Chicago a ton of talent. From Chicago’s point of view, it is a huge win.

For Washington, this is an opportunity lost. They bragged on having the goods for Sale and Andrew McCutchen and now will likely get neither. Although the price was too high, the public relations fallout is serious.

12:50 p.m. – The storm clouds on the Sale trade are darker with a distinct reddish hue:

This might be happening sooner than later.

12:42 p.m. – And we might know why the White Sox haven’t traded Sale:

Boston has the prospects and young MLB talent to do this deal. They have coveted Sale over a full season. Buckle up!

12:30 p.m. – On this incredibly slow day, Mark Zuckerman sheds some light on where the Chicago White Sox are now with Chris Sale:

If you are going to blow up the team, as the White Sox are contemplating, you better make sure and do it right. Chicago has an offer from he Nats would take, but they must do their diligence to see if that is the best they can do.

May not make for exciting rumors or writing, but the goal here is winning.

12:24 p.m. – Our Robbie Stratakos wonders if a Bryce Harper/Giancarlo Stanton trade could happen.

11:28 a.m. – Although not someone the Nats were seeking, Mitch Moreland is likely off the board now:

Cleveland is too on the Texas Ranger infielder. Better suited as a 1B/DH and the American League.

Today’s pace remains slow.

11:03 a.m. – Our Matt Weyrich looks at who is the best fit for closer with Melancon gone.

10:50 a.m. – Chris Colabello has rejected his demotion from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Although an outfielder, he is at best a bench part with one PED suspension under his belt.

10:37 a.m. – Things are a bit slower on my shift today than they were in my slot yesterday afternoon.

A quick thought on the pursuit of Chris Sale:

For me, this says more about the Nats concern of Stephen Strasburg’s long-term health than filling a true need. No question losing Strasburg for a start in the NLDS hurt Washington’s chances to advance.

Sale–or any other starter they get–is more of an insurance policy for Strasburg than filling a true need. Although that may sound harsh, it is a prudent move to make. Three losses in five years in the NLDS tells you that.

10:10 a.m. – That trade sent Tyler Thornburgh to Boston. Milwaukee gets infielder Travis Shaw and two decent prospects.

Thornburgh was thought by some as an option here. Though no one pegged him as a closer, Washington’s biggest bullpen need with Mark Melancon gone.

9:20 a.m. – First trade of the day is between Boston and Milwaukee. Not sure who’s in it. Not Chris Sale.

Next hour or so here will be spotty. Mike Rizzo, if you are reading, hold off on the Sale trade until after my bath please.

8:30 a.m. – Jon Heyman is awake and on duty already. He releases a couple Nats related notes.

The Nationals were happy with Holland’s earlier workout and, of all those available, is the cheapest replacement to Mark Melancon. Since the Dodgers and Cubs stand to lose their big name closers, their interest is understandable. Still, you would think Washington would be right there.

Tidbit #2:

Great if Drew is willing to come off the bench again. He’s a good defender with an average bat. Have to wonder though if the Angels could offer more playing time.

7:44 a.m. – Mark Zuckerman of MASN has a brief rundown of what we know so far on the Sale talks:

Hard to say where they are in the process in all this. Will Chicago want more or is this enough? We will know soon enough.

7:36 a.m. – Good morning! Hope you slept well.

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This is Ron and you and I will spend the next few hours together.

We have nothing new to offer on the prospective trade for Chris Sale. Overall, it was a quiet overnight at the Winter Meetings. When people wake and start business, it should pick up quickly.

We’ll be here through the day and night keeping you up to date.

Next: Day 1 Winter Meetings Recap

Wasn’t today fun?