The Washington Nationals acquired outfielder Adam Eaton from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for three pitchers Wednesday.

In return for Eaton, the Nationals sent right-handed pitchers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning to Chicago.

The trade, which represents Washington's first major transaction of the offseason, comes one day after the Nats missed out on former White Sox ace Chris Sale, who had been strongly linked to the Nationals in trade talks but instead wound up going to the Boston Red Sox.

Eaton, who turned 28 years old on Tuesday, hit .284 with 14 home runs, 59 RBIs and an American League-leading nine triples.

Defensively, in his first season playing primarily right field, Eaton accounted for 22 runs saved, second-most in the AL behind Mookie Betts. A 19th-round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010, Eaton's contract calls for him to earn $18.4 million over the next three seasons and contains club options for 2020 and 2021.

Predominantly a center fielder before last season, Eaton will likely switch back to center in Washington, a move that would allow young star Trea Turner to return to shortstop, his natural position.

In the deal, the Nationals have surrendered two first-round picks. Giolito, the 16th overall selection in 2012, was rated as one of the top prospects in baseball this past summer by both ESPN's Keith Law (No. 2 overall) and Baseball America (No. 4 overall). In six games with Washington last season (four starts), the 6-foot-6 righty was 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. Dunning, a University of Florida product, was the Nationals' first-round pick last season (29th overall).

Also headed to Chicago is Lopez, a 22-year-old native of the Dominican Republic who was rated as the team's third-best prospect. In 11 games with Washington in 2016, the 6-foot right-hander went 5-3 with a 4.91 ERA.

The acquisition of Eaton solidifies the Nationals' outfield and likely means that Pittsburgh Pirates superstar and former MVP Andrew McCutchen, who had been linked to Washington as a potential trade target, will not be coming to Washington.

Source:
courtesy of ESPN

by Eddie Matz

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