As pitchers and catchers for the Washington Nationals get set to report to spring training in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, the club is still negotiating a deal with the Chicago White Sox for closer David Robertson, but it doesn't appear things are moving in the right direction.
The two sides are at a stalemate and no trade is imminent, a high-ranking Nationals official told USA Today, although the White Sox remain optimistic a trade will get done.
Washington tried to have Robertson included in the deal for White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton in December, and thought they had a trade completed last week, but nothing has come to fruition as of yet.
The Nationals have been on the hunt for a closer for much of the offseason, but failed to sign Mark Melancon, Aroldis Chapman, and Kenley Jansen.
Washington heads into spring training with the hard-throwing Blake Treinen and veteran Shawn Kelley as their best candidates to secure the role, but Robertson would be an upgrade over both.
Career stats
PITCHER | G | IP | ERA | SV | SVO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
David Robertson | 524 | 519 | 2.97 | 118 | 147 |
Blake Treinen | 148 | 185.1 | 2.91 | 1 | 6 |
Shawn Kelley | 356 | 342.1 | 3.50 | 11 | 23 |
The 31-year-old Robertson is under team control for the next two seasons and is still owed $25 million.