Report: Cubs in talks with Nationals to acquire Jordan Zimmermann
The Chicago Cubs are reportedly attempting to make another major offseason splash.
After inking former Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon to a five-year deal, the team has turned its attention toward starting pitching.
The Cubs are in talks to land the Washington Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Washington is said to be looking for one of Chicago's young, high-end infielders in return; a list that includes Starlin Castro, Javier Baez, Arismendy Alcantara and prospect Addison Russell.
There are, however, conflicting reports as to whether the Cubs and Nationals are talking trade:
Source says Cubs not getting Zimmermann from Nats and haven't exchanged names, as rumored.
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) November 12, 2014
Source says #Cubs are not working on a Jordan Zimmermann deal with #Nationals.
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) November 12, 2014
Zimmermann, who is under contract for one more year at $16.5 million, will become a free agent after the 2015 season. A source told Wittenmyer the Cubs would want to work out an extension before pulling the trigger on any deal.
Wittenmyer also reported the Cubs are interested in free-agent pitchers Justin Masterson, Jon Lester and Brett Anderson.
The 28-year-old Zimmermann has morphed into one of the game's top starters after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2009, an operation that cost him the majority of the following season.
Zimmermann is 53-33 with a 3.00 ERA since 2011. He has worked 195-plus innings in three consecutive seasons and posted a career-best 2.66 ERA in 2014. Zimmermann's 2.68 FIP and 5.2 WAR, according to FanGraphs, were also career bests.