3 strikes, you're out: Nationals' offseason one to forget

So far this offseason, the Washington Nationals have been all talk.

After it appeared as though the Nationals were in on some of baseball's most sought-after players, they walked away empty-handed, aside from trading a king's ransom for Adam Eaton.

Let's take a look at three players the Nationals missed out on, and how they gave up more than they should've in the Eaton deal:

Strike 1: Andrew McCutchen

Everyone thought McCutchen to the Nationals was a done deal.

In the days leading up to the winter meetings, all signs pointed to a blockbuster trade. Sure, McCutchen had his worst season to date, but he's still a former MVP, five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove winner.

Then, as the meetings went on, talks fizzled, and nothing happened. After Washington acquired Eaton, any trade that could've happened died on the spot.

Strike 2: Chris Sale

Imagine a rotation comprised of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Sale.

Yeah.

During the winter meetings, it looked as though Sale was joining the Nationals, and a boatload of prospects were going to the Chicago White Sox in exchange.

Instead, the Boston Red Sox swooped in and snagged Sale, giving up the farm for him, which is what the Nationals should've done. Not only that, but the White Sox still managed to get the best pitchers in the Nats' system when they traded Eaton.

Strike 3: Kenley Jansen

The free-agent market for closers was slim, and if the 2016 postseason taught us one thing, it's that championship teams need a closer.

From the beginning, Aroldis Chapman was destined for a reunion with the New York Yankees, which is what happened. After that, the San Francisco Giants, whose season ended because they didn't have a closer, gave Mark Melancon the money he deserved.

It's also worth noting the two closers available via trade, Tyler Thornburg and Wade Davis, were acquired, too.

That leaves Jansen. Not only did Washington miss out on him, but the way it happened was a shot to the gut. The right-hander returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a five-year, $80-million deal, taking less money than what the Nationals offered him.

Washington offered Jansen around $85 million, and he still decided to go back to Chavez Ravine, leaving the Nationals empty-handed yet again.

Bases-loaded walk: Adam Eaton

As much as we try and justify what the Nationals gave up for Eaton, let's be honest here - it wasn't worth it.

To be clear, Eaton is a very good player, and the Nationals got better by adding him to the roster because now Trea Turner can play his native shortstop. But to give up Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez, two surefire major leaguers, and 2016 1st-round pick Dane Dunning is absurd.

For all intents and purposes, the White Sox took advantage of the Nationals. They knew Washington needed a center fielder, especially after missing out on McCutchen, so they had to hand over the big guns, or strike out yet again.

Unfortunately, they traded their top arms for a player who's never hit more than 14 home runs, never stolen more than 18 bases, and hasn't been to an All-Star game yet.