Report: Nationals remain engaged with Arrieta
The Washington Nationals might have ambitions of building a three-headed monster at the top of the rotation.
The club continues to monitor the free-agent pitching market and has remained engaged with former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports.
Arrieta remains unsigned with less than a month to go before Opening Day but has generated interest from several National League sides including the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies. It's believed the Phillies had interest in a potential three-year deal.
Adding Arrieta would give the Nationals an envious rotation that includes the reigning NL Cy Young winner in Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, and Tanner Roark.
2017 STATS
| PITCHER | ERA | IP | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrieta | 3.53 | 168.1 | 163 | 1.22 |
| Scherzer | 2.51 | 200.2 | 268 | 0.90 |
| Strasburg | 2.52 | 175.1 | 204 | 1.01 |
| Gonzalez | 2.96 | 201 | 188 | 1.18 |
| Roark | 4.67 | 181.1 | 166 | 1.33 |
The Nationals enter an incredibly important season for their franchise. The club is coming off back-to-back disappointing NLDS exits and is in the final year with Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy under contract. It currently has a franchise-record $178 million committed in salary in 2018, per Cots Baseball Contracts.