Report: Pirates targeting Nationals' top OF prospect in McCutchen talks
If the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to deal Andrew McCutchen, they're expecting a lot in return.
The Pirates are in talks with the Washington Nationals regarding a potential trade, but among the players they expect in return is 19-year-old Victor Robles, the top position-player prospect in the Nationals' organization, sources told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Rosenthal added the Pirates would also look for more of a return, including starting pitching prospects who are close to the majors.
While it's extremely unlikely the Nationals will deal top prospect Lucas Giolito, of their top 10 minor leaguers, five of them are pitchers, and all of them starters.
| Rank | Player | Age | 2016 Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Giolito (RHP) | 22 | MLB/AAA/AA/A |
| 3 | Reynaldo Lopez (RHP) | 22 | MLB/AAA/AA |
| 4 | Erick Fedde (RHP) | 23 | AA/A+ |
| 6 | Dane Dunning (RHP) | 21 | A-/Rk |
| 9 | Austin Voth (RHP) | 24 | AAA |
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Although a pitching prospect would be icing on the cake, it's Robles that would make this deal tip.
Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post said he was untouchable in July with regards to trade talks, and she doesn't see that changing for two years of control for McCutchen.
Robles, a Dominican native, signed for $225,000 in 2013, and has done nothing but impress since his professional debut.
Over three seasons split between Rookie League and High-A, he's slashing .306/.401/.458 with 16 homers, 42 doubles, and 83 stolen bases. Not only that, but on a 20-80 scale gauging a player's potential, he's a 70 runner and has drawn comparisons, ironically, to McCutchen.