Jordan Zimmermann Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation on Nationals Star

Potentially with an eye toward a bigger move down the line, the Washington Nationals reportedly have considered trading pitcher Jordan Zimmermann. However, the team may now be reconsidering and look to retain the star pitcher.     

Continue for updates.

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Nationals May Retain Zimmermann

Monday, Jan. 19

"Early word I am hearing is #Nationals plan is to keep Zimmermann, have super rotation and go for it in 2015," reported Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

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Nationals Already Discussing Potential Trades for Zimmermann

Sunday, Jan. 18

Fox Sports' Jon Morosi first reported the Nats have discussed trade scenarios with a few different teams:

This comes after a report from CBS Sports' Jon Heyman that Washington is in the mix to sign free-agent ace Max Scherzer:

Zimmermann is entering the final year of his deal and will be a free agent in 2016. Should the Nationals add Scherzer, the chances they extend Zimmermann would be extremely remote.

Morosi added that the team would trade a starting pitcher to compensate for Scherzer's potential arrival but that it's considering all its options:

Zimmermann is coming off the best season of his career. He went 14-5 in 2014 with a 2.66 earned run average. According to FanGraphs, he also had the lowest FIP (2.68) of any Nationals starter.

Since his contract has only one year left, Zimmermann could be a rental for a playoff contender eying up a World Series run in 2015. Even if that's the case, he'd still be a shrewd addition given what is a dearth of top-quality pitching still available in the open market beyond Scherzer and James Shields.

For the Nationals, trading Zimmernann now would allow them to collect a few assets in return before they potentially lose the right-hander next winter for nothing.