On the Jordan Zimmermann trade rumor and what it all means

You know the offseason is truly under way when we have a report of a monster trade coming from one outlet, and multiple other outlets quickly shooting that report down.

Last night, said report involved the Nationals and the starting pitcher who many people would consider to be the team's ace.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported last night that the Cubs are actively involved in talks to acquire Jordan Zimmermann from the Nationals, with one of Chicago's many talented middle infield prospects coming back to D.C. in the deal.

Nats fans all over the Internet and the Twittersphere were blown away by this story, and the reaction was not exactly positive.

Shortly thereafter, we had multiple reports from other Chicago outlets saying that the Cubs and Nats are not talking about a potential Zimmermann deal. Any discussions between the two teams apparently have not led to a swapping of names, and no trade for the Nats' 28-year-old righty is imminent.

Still, we shouldn't expect this to be the last time we hear Zimmermann's name kicked around in trade rumors this offseason. It might break Nats fans' hearts to see Zimmermann dealt, especially after his final two starts in 2014 resulted in a no-hitter and a truly dominant 8 2/3 innings in Game 2 of the National League Division Series. But given the circumstances surrounding Zimmermann and the Nats roster as a whole, general manager Mike Rizzo would be silly not to see what type of value he could get in return for the right-hander.

To recap: Zimmermann is set to make $16.5 million this season in his final year of team control, and will become a free agent after the 2015 campaign. The Nationals have approached his agent in the past to discuss a possible contract extension, but those talks haven't gone too far. Zimmermann has said that he's looking for a contract that represents fair market value, which for a 28-year-old starter who has averaged over 200 innings over the last three seasons and has posted a 2.96 ERA in that time would be a monster payout.

We're talking well more than $100 million here, and with a payroll that already was at $137 million last season and multiple big-name players set to hit free agency in the coming years, the Nats can't afford to re-sign everyone.

It takes two to tango, and while the Nats would like to lock Zimmermann up long-term, they might know that isn't a realistic option. And so that leaves Rizzo with two options: trade Zimmermann in order to get something in return for him before he departs via free agency or let things ride out this season, keeping Zimmermann in the fold and hoping that his presence will help lead to a World Series in 2015.

It's worth noting that if Zimmermann stays in D.C. for the 2015 campaign, the Nationals could give him a qualifying offer next offseason, and if he turns that down, the Nats would be guaranteed a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere. But if they were to deal him now, they would get much, much more than a draft pick in return.

Zimmermann would demand a boatload of talent in a trade, and the Cubs have plenty of young prospects to dangle in a potential deal. Chicago is stocked with talented middle infielders (Javier Baez, Addison Russell, Starlin Castro and Arismendy Alcantara are the big four), and that's an area where the Nationals are thin. Bringing in a package of players that includes one of those names would not only give the Nats a potential second baseman for 2015, but also improve their infield depth for years to come.

The Nats feel they have enough starting pitching depth that they could trade Zimmermann or Doug Fister (who will also be a free agent after the 2015 season) and still contend next season. There's no doubt, however, that losing one of those two right-handers would be a blow to the team's immediate World Series hopes.

That leaves Rizzo in a tough spot. Does he keep Zimmermann around for 2015, hoping that the Nats can win it all, but taking a risk that the Nats get nothing more than a draft pick if the pitcher departs via free agency? Or does he trade Zimmermann, restocking the organizational pantry with young talent while delivering a blow to the team's World Series hopes for 2015?

The Nationals might not be openly shopping Zimmermann right now, knowing that they have the makings of a strong team again next season. But they'd also be silly not to listen to any trade offers for Zimmermann.

They won't be able to keep this group intact forever, and while I'd be surprised to see Zimmermann dealt this offseason, as Davey Johnson used to say, you have to look at things as trying to find what's best for today while still keeping an eye on tomorrow.