Rizzo on trade: "We certainly got what we wanted in Adam Eaton"

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Nationals knew all along the price tag to acquire the kind of impact players they were seeking in trades would be steep. And so when the opportunity arose this week to acquire one of their primary outfield targets, Adam Eaton, they knew they'd have to make the tough call to deal away not one, not two, but three of their most prized possessions: Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning.

"You've got to give to get," general manager Mike Rizzo said in formally announcing his team's blockbuster trade Wednesday evening with the White Sox. "We certainly got what we wanted in Adam Eaton. The White Sox should and do feel good about what they acquired in this."

What did the Nationals get in Eaton? They believe they got not only a well-rounded player who hits for average, gets on base, steals bases, drives in runs and plays solid defense. They believe they got not only a 28-year-old under team control for five seasons and a very team-friendly $38.4 million. They also believe they got the kind of high-energy "grinder" that will be a welcome addition to their club, both on and off the field.

"He plays with an edge," Rizzo said. "He's playing 100 mph with his hair on fire. He hustles. He will dive for balls. He will steal a base. He goes into second base hard."

"The only negative I've heard is you have to calm him down a little bit because he goes 100 percent all the time," manager Dusty Baker added. "Which is not a bad way to play this game."

Eaton doesn't have the name recognition of Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates' five-time All-Star and former league MVP the Nationals also were discussing this week at the Winter Meetings. But he's two years younger than McCutchen, is under team control for three more years at an affordable price and - the Nats believe - still on an upward career path instead of the opposite.

"Adam fit our club perfectly," Rizzo said. "Left-handed bat, balanced our lineup, high-energy guy, edge to him, plays the game the right way, good hitter, good defensive player (both in center field and outstanding in the corner), a productive player throughout his career. We see the arrow still going up with him. And he's a guy that will have years of control and cost certainty, and it allows us the flexibility to do many more things."

Eaton's left-handed bat does seem to be a bit of a downside, given the fact the Nationals already are a bit left-handed-heavy with Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy. But Rizzo pointed out his team actually was more productive versus left-handed pitching (ranking third in the National League with a .783 OPS) than right-handed pitching (ranking fifth with a .742 OPS). And like Harper and Murphy, Eaton has enjoyed plenty of success against lefties throughout his career.

How that all affects the Nationals' daily lineup remains to be seen. Baker suggested Eaton can bat anywhere from first through seventh.

Eaton's acquisition certainly will affect the club's defensive alignment. Though the White Sox moved him to right field this season, the Nationals expect him to play center field in 2017 before a potential switch in 2018 after Jayson Werth's contract expires.

"In the short term, he certainly is capable of playing center field very well," Rizzo said. "He's an outstanding corner outfielder. It gives us, again, the flexibility to do different things."

He also gives the Nationals the flexibility to move Trea Turner to his natural shortstop position, in turn bumping Danny Espinosa either to the bench or off the roster altogether. (Espinosa could be a trade candidate now.)

What kind of hitter is Eaton? He doesn't post eye-popping numbers in any one statistical category, but he does everything well. Since becoming an everyday player in 2014, he has hit .290 with a .362 on-base percentage and an average of 28 doubles, nine triples, 16 stolen bases and a .790 OPS. He has homered 14 times each of the last two seasons, and the Nationals believe his power could continue to develop.

The Nationals also like his approach in key situations. This season he drove in a runner from third with less than two outs 59 percent of the time. Only Turner, Murphy and Harper were better among Nats regulars this year.

"He's a tough out," Rizzo said. "He grinds out at-bats. He rarely swings and misses. He puts up a good at-bat when needed."

And, as noted, Eaton plays with an edge and an attitude that the Nationals at times have been accused of lacking by some.

"I think we've got a lot of quiet leaders on this team," Rizzo said. "We've got guys who really, really care. I think that it's always good to have a mixture of all those type of personalities. You've got the stoic, quiet leader, lead-by-example guy like (Ryan Zimmerman) and then you've got the louder, more flamboyant leader like (Harper). So I think Adam is going to fit in perfectly there. ...

"I think it's a good mix. I like guys who get after it, play with their hair on fire a little bit and bring some energy to the ballpark."