Chicago Cubs’ offseason moves overshadowed by other clubs

Washington Nationals

Every year, the D.C. area fanbase seems to be teeming with excitement about their Nationals. And every October, it seems destined to end in disappointment.

After allowing White Sox GM Rich Hahn to pilfer the chicken coop in the deal that sent Adam Eaton to D.C., it’s hard to believe this season will end any differently for Dusty Baker‘s club.

Coming off a 95-win campaign, it’s hard to understand why Washington dealt top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito to Chicago as part of a deal to acquire a solid, albeit far from MVP-status outfielder in Eaton.

Here’s exactly why this hurts so much.

Back at the trade deadline, Washington flat-out declined to include Giolito in a deal that could have brought Andrew Miller in return. Now, with news that Kenley Jansen has resigned with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Aroldis Chapman returning to the Bronx, the ninth-inning is still an enigma for this team.

There are still back-end options out there, but the question Nationals fans have to be asking is this. Why did the front office deal a piece like Giolito for an outfielder in a market teeming with similar players?

It’s a move that could end Mike Rizzo’s tenure in D.C. if the Nats don’t prove their mettle come postseason time next season.

Verdict: Loser