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White Sox trade Eaton to Nationals for Giolito, prospects

Caylor Arnold / USA TODAY Sports

Despite missing out on Chris Sale, the Washington Nationals still swung a blockbuster deal with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

The Nationals traded pitching prospects Lucas Giolito, Dane Dunning, and Reynaldo Lopez to the South Side of Chicago in exchange for outfielder Adam Eaton, the White Sox confirmed.

It's a big haul for White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, who's remade his minor-league system over the past 24 hours. Giolito is the Nationals' top prospect and the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, while Lopez comes in at No 38. Dunning was the 29th overall pick in the 2016 draft, and is the No. 6 prospect in the Nationals' system.

Eaton, meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back strong seasons with the White Sox. He hit .284/.362/.428 with 14 home runs, 29 doubles, nine triples, and 14 stolen bases across 157 games in 2016.

The move lands Washington a center fielder - something they coveted this winter - but likely eliminates any potential trade for Andrew McCutchen. It's expected Eaton will slide into center for the Nationals, allowing Trea Turner to move to shortstop.

Giolito, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012, split time between three different minor-league levels last season, posting a 2.97 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts across 115 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old made six appearances (four starts) with the Nationals, going 0-1 with a 7.59 ERA and 1.78 WHIP. He's heralded for having an elite fastball that sits in the upper 90s.

Lopez posted a 3.21 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 126 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings split between Double and Triple-A. In 44 innings with the Nationals, he crafted a 4.91 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. The 22-year-old also owns a mid-to-high-90s fastball and an above-average curveball.

Dunning went 3-2 with a 2.14 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts across 33 2/3 innings last season in Single-A. The 21-year-old's fastball sits in the mid-to-low 90s, while he also boasts a strong changeup.

Over the last two days, the White Sox have landed the majors' top position-player prospect in Yoan Moncada, and the top pitching prospect in Giolito.

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