Nationals deal Karns to Tampa Bay for Lobaton

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

February 13, 2014, 5:17am

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VIERA, Fla. - Earlier this morning, Nationals right-hander Nathan Karns discussed the possibility of being traded. Now the rumors have come to fruition. Karns just finished meeting with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who informed him that he'd been dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays. So instead of reacquainting himself with teammates in the only organization he's ever known, Karns is now packing his gear and stuffing belongings into a giant trash bag. He'll soon be traveling across Florida to Port Charlotte, where the Rays hold spring training. Catcher Jose Lobaton, long a target of the Nationals in their search to find a solid backup for starting catcher Wilson Ramos, will be coming to Washington on the other side of the trade. There may be other pieces involved, too - the Tampa Bay Times is reporting that the Nationals will acquire two other players from the Rays, likely minor leaguers. Stay tuned for more details on the trade as they become available.