Washington Nationals
Gio Gonzalez is coming off a year in which he went 11-11 with an ERA of 4.57 but in the five combined years prior, Gonzalez won 84 games and racked up over one thousand strikeouts.
Last offseason, the Nationals talked in the offseason with the Arizona Diamondbacks but the trade fell after Arizona became stubborn about dealing Ender Inciarte or David Peralta.
The Nats also spoke to the Miami Marlins, who declined due to the asking price of Christian Yelich but both Washington and New York have what the other needs.
Washington needs a speedy leadoff guy and the Yankees could use a starter with proven success in recent times to help balance out a questionable rotation. Cashman could possibly make a deal involving Gardner to obtain the lefty.
There is some risk, as Gonzalez doesn’t become a free agent until after 2018, but with a vesting option (which means he must reach 180 innings in 2017), New York won’t have to employ him beyond next season if he were to be unhealthy throughout 2017.
