The biggest question surrounding the Washington Nationals this offseason is whether or not they will be able to sign Bryce Harper to a long-term contract, but the team is apparently focusing on other needs as the star outfielder shops around.
According to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, the Nationals are making it a priority to add one of the top starting pitchers on the free agent market. Some names they are considering include Dallas Keuchel, Patrick Corbin, Charlie Morton and Nathan Eovaldi.
nats focus now appears to be on the rotation. Corbin, Keuchel, Eovaldi, Morton all potential fits. could also look for 1 more in pen, maybe 2B. then later comes the big question: do they need Harper?
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 20, 2018
The New York Yankees made a big move to bolster their starting rotation on Monday when they traded for former Seattle Mariners left-hander James Paxton, but they are reportedly still looking to add another front-line starter as well. There should be plenty of competition for starting pitchers when the dominoes start falling.
Given the numbers that are being thrown around, the Nationals may feel that they have little chance at bringing Harper back. They could also believe he will give them a chance to beat any other offers he receives, so they can kind of let the market work itself out. But if they sit around doing nothing while waiting for Harper to make his decision, they will only be worse off in the long run.
