Washington Nationals: Winter Meetings A Mixed Bag
By Ron Juckett
THE DEALS THAT DID NOT HAPPEN
When we went to bed on Monday night, it was understood the Nationals had a deal in place with the Chicago White Sox for ace pitcher Chris Sale. Sure, the price was high, outfielder Victor Robles, Lucas Giolito and one more big prospect, likely Reynaldo Lopez.
Shortly after lunch on Tuesday, the rug was swept away by the Boston Red Sox. The ChiSox hit the prospect lottery and Boston added yet another powerful arm to their potent pitching staff. Nats fans gritted teeth and soothed their angst knowing the Red Sox paid a price no team could match.
Earlier Monday, Mark Melancon went back to the West Coast. I his four-year deal with San Francisco, he received an opt-out, a signing bonus, deferred money and a full no-trade. We think Washington underbid the Giants by $10 million, but they never chased the pitcher in public.
Again, the faithful fans were not happy, but Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen were still available. By Wednesday morning, Chapman was off the board, taking a five-year, $84 million offer from the New York Yankees. Jansen is attending to his own wedding and not signed anywhere.
Once the Sale trade fell through, attention turned back towards McCutchen, but the Nats never were comfortable parting with Victor Robles and the trade—almost a certainty last Thursday—never happened.
With such high hopes, the swings and misses for Sale and McCutchen left a bitter taste in your mouth.