Teams inquiring about Roark, but Rizzo wants more pitching

LAS VEGAS - Though multiple teams have approached the Nationals in recent days about Tanner Roark, general manager Mike Rizzo suggested he isn't looking to trade the veteran right-hander and would only do so if he had already bolstered his rotation with another significant acquisition.

Responding to a report early this morning by Yahoo! Sports that the Nationals "have engaged in multiple discussions to trade" Roark, Rizzo admitted there have been some talks this week, but only those initiated by other clubs who assumed Roark might be available in the wake of Patrick Corbin's recent signing.

"When we signed Corbin, teams thought that we had a little bit of a surplus," Rizzo said. "So they inquired about Roark. Teams look favorable on a one-year guy that could help them. We've spoken to a couple of teams about it, but nothing serious or imminent that's happening at this point."

The timing of any Roark trade would be odd from the Nationals' standpoint. The 32-year-old is coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons in which he went a combined 22-26 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.308 WHIP. Due to earn somewhere in the range of $9 million to $10 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility before becoming a free agent next winter.

Rizzo rarely makes a habit out of trading players when their value is at a low as Roark's is right now. He's also currently banking on Roark returning to form as thriving as the Nationals' No. 4 starter behind Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Corbin, with only Joe Ross and Erick Fedde as viable candidates for the No. 5 spot.

Thus, the only scenario the Nats might seriously consider moving Roark would be after they'd already acquired another proven starter. And even then, they might still want to keep him as their fifth starter instead of relying on Ross and/or Fedde.

"Yeah, I think we would certainly want to reinforce our rotation (before trading Roark)," Rizzo said. "We always talk about depth. And to eliminate a pitcher like Roark, we would certainly like to strengthen that strength, if we were to make a deal for him."

More nuggets from Rizzo's session today with reporters ...

* The club has signed former Marlins right-hander Henderson Álvarez to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp. Álvarez, 28, was an All-Star in 2014 when he went 12-7 with a 2.65 ERA, but he has made only seven big league starts in the last four years due to shoulder injuries. Rizzo said he'll come to spring training and "have a chance to make the team. If not, he'll pitch at Triple-A for us."

* Rizzo acknowledged the possibility of signing a frontline second baseman but also confirmed interest in a more versatile player who could serve as a backup at first base as well. "If there was a definite, everyday second baseman that we liked and we felt was an upgrade, we would certainly consider that," he said. "If it was more of a hybrid role, then we would consider that. We've left ourselves open to a lot of different types of options, a lot of different ways to build the bench and back end of our roster."

* Even if they enter 2019 without Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy or Matt Adams, Rizzo believes his team's lineup will be productive, albeit in a manner that doesn't rely on power as much. "I'm comfortable with our offense and the ability to score runs and win games," he said. "I like the roster that we have currently. I think we'll score runs in a different manner. We'll play the game in a different manner than we did last year, probably. But I still think that the upgrade at different positions, and the upgrade in defense will help us play the game better."