Rumor Roundup: Nats trying to fill closer void

The Hot Stove season is underway, and we’re keeping you up to date with the latest free-agent news, trade buzz, rumors and more.

• Hot Stove Tracker

Nationals eyeing Jansen, Colome, Robertson  The Nationals left the Winter Meetings without filling their void for the ninth inning, but they reportedly met with representatives for Kenley Jansen, the last bluechip closer on the market, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com.

Jansen has received a five-year, $80 million offer from the Marlins, according to a report from Yahoo Sports, which may be out of the Nats’ price range. Another caveat would be the first-round Draft pick Washington would have to surrender as part of the qualifying offer Jansen received from the Dodgers, where he spent the first 12 years of his pro career.

• What’s next? Nationals could seek relief help

The Nats may find a more palatable option in the trade market, and they could turn to a familiar partner. A report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale indicated Washington is interested right-hander David Robertson, who has compiled 71 saves with a 3.44 ERA during his two seasons in Chicago. He has two years and $25 million remaining on his contract.

The White Sox appear to be committed to a rebuild, evidenced by their unloading this week of key contributors Chris Sale and Adam Eaton — who the Nats acquired Wednesday — in exchange for high-profile prospects. Robertson likely won’t cost as much in a potential trade, and Zuckerman speculated catcher Pedro Severino as a potential chip.

Per MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the Nats have also engaged the Rays on right-hander Alex Colome, who was an All-Star in ’16, posting a 1.91 ERA with 37 saves. Colome figures to haul a more significant return, as he is coming off a stronger season, is just 24 years old and has four years of club control remaining.

Rockies eye deal for Stroman, Trumbo The Rockies are far from done after signing Ian Desmond on Wednesday, as they have expressed interest in acquiring pitcher Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays, according to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, and Mark Trumbo, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Toronto, however, is reportedly expecting more than center fielder Charlie Blackmon in return for Stroman, per Morosi.

The acquisition of Desmond has the potential to create a glut of outfielders for Colorado, though multiple reports state the Rockies intend to primarily play Desmond at first base. Still, Blackmon is entering his offensive peak and is still two years away from free agency, making him an attractive potential trade piece.

Meanwhile, the Rockies had to surrender the No. 11 pick in the Draft — the first unprotected pick — in order to sign Desmond since he rejected a qualifying offer from the Rangers. A high Draft pick could have potentially given them a young, controllable arm, if they had gone that route. Acquiring an up-and-coming starter like Stroman could help in that regard.

The club would lose only a second-round pick if it were to sign Trumbo. Acquiring the free-agent first baseman would also enable the Rockies to trade one of their existing outfielders — possibly Carlos Gonzalez or Blackmon — and have Desmond play in the outfield, where he did for the Rangers in 2016 (Desmond has never played first base professionally).

Trumbo led the Majors with 47 homers last season, and hit .256/.316/.533 for the Orioles in an All-Star campaign. Other clubs interested in the soon-to-be 31-year-old slugger include the Mariners, Indians and Rangers in addition to Baltimore.

Braves show interest in Quintana The Braves are interested in making a deal with the White Sox for left-handed pitcher Jose …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com