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Report: Nationals stepping up efforts for Sale

David Banks / Getty Images Sport / Getty

After losing out on acquiring closer Mark Melancon - who agreed to a four-year deal with the San Francisco Giants on Monday - in free agency, the Washington Nationals are now turning their attention to different avenues, including Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale.

Washington is stepping up its attempts to land the 27-year-old left-hander, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports reports, although they may have competition from the Boston Red Sox, among others.

Heyman writes the Nationals have the prospects needed to acquire a pitcher of Sale's caliber, but they're unlikely to part ways with Trea Turner, although Lucas Giolito, Victor Robles, and Reynaldo Lopez could be available.

The asking price for Sale is reportedly "through the roof," and would need to trump the package the Arizona Diamondbacks sent to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Shelby Miller in December of 2015.

In 2017, Sale posted a 17-10 record with a 3.34 ERA across 226 2/3 innings, finishing third in the AL with 233 strikeouts.

Sale is under team control for three more seasons, but is eligible to become a free agent in 2018 if his two team options are declined. If Sale does play through the entirety of his current deal, he'd only be owed a very reasonable $38 million.

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