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OXON HILL, Md. — The Washington Nationals did make a deal with the Chicago White Sox during their hometown winter meetings, after all, only it was for center fielder Adam Eaton, not lefty Chris Sale.
The price of Wednesday’s swap still was steep: Washington parted with three young pitchers, including top prospect Lucas Giolito, hard-throwing Reynaldo Lopez — who made the team’s postseason roster — and 2016 first-round draft pick Dane Dunning.
The trade came on the last day of the so-called “hot stove” sessions outside the nation’s capital, allowing Rizzo to avoid leaving empty-handed after failing in a bid to get Sale, who instead went from the White Sox to the Boston Red Sox.
“We discussed (Eaton) and several other players with the White Sox for quite a while now. It did gain momentum after the Sale deal was done,” Rizzo said. “It actually came together fairly quickly over the last couple of days.”
By putting Eaton in center, the Nationals can move Trea Turner — runner-up for 2016 NL Rookie of the Year — back to his natural position, shortstop.
Eaton, who turned 28 on Tuesday, has three guaranteed seasons left in a $23.5 million, five-year contract that calls for him to earn $4 million next year, $6 million in 2018 and $8.4 million in 2019. The deal includes a $9.5 million team option for 2020 with a $1.5 million buyout and, if 2020 is exercised, a 2021 team option for $10.5 million with a $1.5 million buyout.
Eaton has a .284 career batting average with a .357 on-base percentage and a .414 slugging percentage, with 34 homers and 177 RBIs in five seasons in the majors with the White Sox and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He led the AL in triples in two of the past three seasons.
“He’s a high-energy guy,” Rizzo said. “There’s an edge to him.”
Last season, Eaton hit .284 with 14 homers, 59 RBIs and 14 stolen bases, while leading the majors with 18 outfield assists.
For the White Sox this represents another big step in a significant overhaul after a 78-84 season and fourth-place finish in the AL Central.
The 22-year-old Giolito, a first-round pick in the 2012 amateur draft, made his major league debut in June and went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in six starts for Washington.
Lopez, also 22, was 5-3 with a 4.91 ERA in 11 games, including six starts, for the Nationals in 2016.
The 21-year-old Dunning was the 29th overall pick this year out of the University of Florida.
Report: Desmond to Rockies
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Ian Desmond, who was rescued from free-agent purgatory by the Texas Rangers after spring training opened last year and turned the opportunity into an All-Star appearance, has agreed to a five-year contract worth $70 million with the Colorado Rockies, according to reports.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports was first to report the agreement. Desmond will play some outfield, which he first played last year with the Rangers, but mostly first base, which the former shortstop has never played.
Cubs get Davis for Soler
OXON HILL, Md. — The World Series champion Chicago Cubs have acquired star closer Wade Davis from the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Jorge Soler.
The trade was announced Wednesday at the winter meetings.
Davis will take over the ninth-inning role held by Aroldis Chapman, who became a free agent after the Cubs won their first championship since 1908.
A’s King wins Frick Award
OXON HILL, Md. — Former Oakland Athletics announcer Bill King has won the Ford C. Frick Award presented by the Hall of Fame for excellence in broadcasting.
The award was announced Wednesday at the winter meetings. King died in 2005 after 25 years of calling A’s games.
King liked to punctuate big plays with his signature exclamation of “Holy Toledo!” He also was known for his handlebar mustache and beard, making his face as well as his voice familiar with fans.
Boras pans new labor deal
OXON HILL, Md. — Agent Scott Boras says baseball’s new labor contract will cause Latin American players to turn away from the sport and play soccer.
The deal agreed to last week places limits on bonuses for players who reside outside the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, restricting teams to signing pools that start at $4.75 million for the year starting next July 2.
Baseball’s previous collective bargaining agreement put signing pools on residents of the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada who are subject to the amateur draft each June.
“Why are we as an industry saying that we’re going to succumb to the other sports and not pursue best athletes?” Boras said Wednesday at the winter meetings. “When we’re making $10 billion, should we really build the Berlin Wall to youth? We just cut off the American players and limited them well below the NBA and the NFL, and now we’re doing it with the Latin players, as well. We’re cutting off our soil. Because now I would imagine FIFA is over in Venezuela, ‘cause they’ve coveted South America, and they’re building soccer fields as we speak in the Dominican and there because these athletes are going to turn to something that is better for them.”
Yanks get Chapman back
OXON HILL, Md. — A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that free agent closer Aroldis Chapman and the New York Yankees have reached agreement on an $86 million, five-year deal.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the contract was still pending a physical.
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