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Report: Nationals moving closer to trade for Sale

Todd Warshaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox are reportedly inching closer to a possible deal that would send ace left-hander Chris Sale to the nation's capital, sources told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Right-hander Lucas Giolito and outfielder Victor Robles - the Nationals' top two prospects - would both be part of the return heading to the South Side, according to Rosenthal. Both sides are reportedly continuing to negotiate over other pieces of the transaction.

Trea Turner will apparently not be in a trade for Sale, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The White Sox cautioned against expecting a trade to be completed Monday night, however, as the organization told Nightengale that they're still in talks with several teams and don't expect anything to be resolved just yet, with the Nationals or anyone else.

Another source close to the White Sox, when asked by CSN Chicago's Chuck Garfien if a deal was close, simply said, "No."

Washington has been considered a front-runner in the Sale sweepstakes throughout much of the offseason. The team has been looking to make a splash to try and shake the postseason woes that have dogged the franchise throughout its existence, having not won a playoff series since moving to D.C. in 2005. As the Montreal Expos, the franchise appeared in the playoffs just once from 1969-2004, winning a single series in 1981.

The Nationals also may be trying to take advantage of having Bryce Harper on their side. Harper is under contract for two more years, and a report Monday afternoon suggested the superstar's $400-million asking price for his next contract already has the Nationals preparing for his departure.

Washington has also reportedly been discussing a trade for Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, but apparently balked at what they perceived to be a high asking price for his services.

For the White Sox, trading Sale - who's finished in the top five of AL Cy Young voting each of the last four years - would represent the beginning of a full-scale rebuild. The team slumped to a 78-84 finish in 2016, their fourth straight losing season and fifth in the last six years.

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