Talks heating up to acquire Melancon from Pirates
By Byron Kerr
The Nationals continue to pursue bullpen help as the Aug. 1 trade deadline looms.
The Pirates and Nationals' talks regarding right-hander Mark Melancon are heating up, a league source confirmed.
The Pirates are interested in a top starting pitching prospect in return, or maybe two.
Pittsburgh inquired about No. 1 pitching prospect Lucas Giolito, but he is unavailable.
The talks center around a package that would contain right-hander Erick Fedde or right-hander Reynaldo Lopez, or both, according to the source.
The source says the package also might be for a starter prospect and a bullpen piece, instead of two starters.
It appears that Giolito is still untouchable, but maybe this signals the Nationals' willingness to work on a deal with other pitching prospects like Fedde and Lopez.
The Pirates have a scout in attendance at today's game between the Nationals and the Giants at AT&T Park to watch Lopez.
Melancon is 1-1 with 30 saves and a 1.51 ERA for the Pirates. He is a free agent in 2017.
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