MLB Trade Rumors: Washington Nationals Reportedly Want Bronson Arroyo
Missing out on the opportunity to grab big-name free agents, the Washington Nationals are looking for someone else to fill a void for the team. The first one to come out as a rumored addition to the Nats is free agent starter Bronson Arroyo.
The possibility of signing him makes a lot of sense because it will reunite him with manager Dusty Baker, the same man who Arroyo worked with during his days with the Cincinnati Reds from 2008 up to 2013. The 38-year-old has been out of discussions as of late due to a Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the bottom half of the 2014 season and the entire 2015 season.
Arroyo's last stint in the major league was with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he posted a 4.08 ERA, along with 47 strikeouts as well as 19 walks. And with the fact that he is returning from injury and that he no longer is in his prime, the likeliest scenario is that he will be signing an incentive-based contract. But there still is no guarantee that this reported interest from the Nationals will develop into an actual deal.
Aside from the Nationals, several reports have also mentioned that he actually had a productive throwing session with his former team, the Reds, last Friday. So at this point, the interest in him comes down to two choices, Washington and Cincinnati.
After his surgery and during the rehabilitation, Arroyo was traded by the Diamondbacks to the Atlanta Braves, where he again saw himself getting traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He eventually was released and became a free agent in November.
If an offer from the Nationals surfaces, it certainly would be good news for him who is looking to have another crack at a major league stint this season. But as of this posting, there is no official word yet from D.C. or even Cincinnati.
