Report: After Eaton trade, Nationals turn focus to Chapman

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has already moved on to the next item on his shopping list.

After acquiring outfielder Adam Eaton from the Chicago White Sox for three top pitching prospects on Wednesday afternoon, the Nationals are reportedly preparing to jump back into the sweepstakes for Aroldis Chapman, the flame-throwing All-Star closer, to shore up their ninth-inning needs, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Chapman is reportedly asking for a large contract - perhaps as much as $100 million over six years - and acquiring Eaton could ultimately help the Nationals find that money to sign the Cuban. Eaton is under contract through 2021 at a very team-friendly cost; he'll make just $4 million in 2017 and $6 million in 2018, with only the final season of the deal, on a club option, surpassing the $10-million mark.

That money saved by trading for Eaton instead of a higher-priced outfielder like Andrew McCutchen could now be put toward trying to lure Chapman to the nation's capital, where he'd potentially be the missing piece for the reigning NL East champions.

Washington has shelled out for a few free-agent mega-deals in the past, including seven-year pacts with Jayson Werth and Max Scherzer. The team is still under significant financial restraints, however, due in part to an ongoing television rights dispute.

Other suitors for Chapman, who posted a 1.55 ERA last season, include the New York Yankees, Miami Marlins, and Los Angeles Dodgers.