Trading Tanner Roark for a youngster with a live arm seems like a move that will seem genius in retrospect. For the time being, however, it creates an immediate need in the Washington Nationals' rotation.
That's why the Nats spent Thursday at the Winter Meetings kicking the tires on available free agents, including losing out on Lance Lynn, according to Chelsea Janes:
Nats had targeted Lance Lynn as a replacement for Tanner Roark, according to people familiar with their plans. Wouldn't go to a third year, so Rangers got him. They are currently perusing the market for veteran starters.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) December 13, 2018Lynn sports a career 3.57 ERA across seven seasons, predominantly for the St. Louis Cardinals (last year with Minnesota and the Yankees). He required Tommy John surgery during the 2016 season and made his way back last year, eyeing 2018 for his first healthy season since 2015. He chose to stay in the American League.
Lynn signed with the Rangers for three years, $30 million. So the Nats will turn their attention elsewhere, per Ken Rosenthal:
#Nationals have discussed free-agent LHP Wade Miley as a possible replacement for Tanner Roark, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2018One name #Nationals have kicked around as a possible replacement for Roark: Free-agent RHP Anibal Sanchez, who had a 1.50 ERA against them in 18 innings for the #Braves last season, holding WAS to a .159 batting average and .576 OPS.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2018Miley is a clear step down from Roark or Lynn, sporting a 4.26 ERA and bouncing around the American League in recent years. He might embrace a return to the NL, where he has a winning record and 3.65 ERA.
Sanchez wasn't just good against the Nats last year--he had one of his best years in 2017 at age 34. He pitched 136.2 innings for the Braves and had a 2.83 ERA, his lowest since his rookie campaign in 2006. Whether the Nats think he can duplicate that in 2018 will probably be a deciding factor in their pursuit.
The Nats already have a three-headed monster on paper, trotting out Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin, signed earlier this offseason. Behind them, the certainty drops off quickly, especially after Roark's departure. If the team was forced to only consider in-house options, it's possible the roles would fall to Joe Ross and Erick Fedde.
Obviously, Mike Rizzo wants some veteran options, and the team is shopping for short-term value.
Follow Brian Tinsman and 106.7 The Fan on Twitter.
