Days after making a flurry of August trades, the Washington Nationals had left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez, catcher Matt Wieters, and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman clear revocable waivers, a source told The Washington Post's Jorge Castillo.
Gonzalez, Wieters, and Zimmerman clearing waivers unclaimed enables the Nationals to negotiate a trade with all 29 teams. Complicating things somewhat is the fact that both Gonzalez and Zimmerman have 10-and-5 rights, meaning they would have to consent to any trade.
The Nationals notably pivoted to selling off assets on Tuesday, sending second baseman Daniel Murphy to the Chicago Cubs and first baseman/outfielder Matt Adams to the St. Louis Cardinals after they were claimed on waivers.
Gonzalez, 32, has authored a 4.51 ERA and 4.26 FIP over 25 starts this year. The left-hander is posting the worst strikeout and walk rates of his career, but remains one of the most reliably healthy starters, pitching at least 150 innings in each of his previous eight seasons. Gonzalez is set to become a free agent after the Nationals picked up his $12-million team option for 2018.
Wieters, 32, is also set for free agency this winter, completing a two-year, $21-million deal. The catcher owns a .240/.325/.365 slash line with five home runs over 53 games.
Zimmerman is due at least $20 million next year, completing a six-year, $100-million deal. He's owed $18 million in 2019 and has an additional $18-million team option for 2020 that includes a $2-million buyout. The first baseman has regressed somewhat after a resurgent 2017, posting a .260/.332/.526 slash line with 12 home runs.
