Washington Nationals: Grading Mike Rizzo’s 10 biggest trades
By Brian Foley
2017 with the Chicago White Sox
Adam Eaton for Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, and Dane Dunning
I loved this trade at the time, and I stand by it despite Eaton’s April ACL tear. Eaton is a master of consistency, and was on pace for more of the same with the Washington Nationals through his first 23 games. The knee injury is clearly a setback, but he should be ready to go by 2018 Opening Day.
Rizzo handed over a few upper-tier prospects in the deal, but he didn’t blow up the entire farm. I am not a Giolito fan – his velocity never turned into strikeouts at the major league level, though it did manifest itself in his ugly walk rate. In 20 starts with the White Sox Triple-A club this year, he has allowed 15 home runs and a 5.02 ERA. He is no longer the shiny prospect he once was.
Lucas Giolito just sailed a long toss into the stands and almost killed a 6 year old girl. #CLTKnights
— Jared Kobe (@SCviaDC) July 25, 2017
Though Giolito is a mess, Lopez continues to develop into an intriguing arm. He is now rated more highly by prospect experts, and seems like the next guy to get the major league call for the White Sox, once unthinkable for those who watched Giolito two years ago.
Dane Dunning, the Washington Nationals first round pick in 2016, is doing nice things in high-A ball as well. Still, this is a worthwhile trade for Washington. I am more of an Eaton fan than most, and his dirt cheap contract through 2021 will only accrue more value as contracts balloon.