Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com writes that the Nationalsare making a “strong push” for free agent right-hander Jon Garland. According to the report, Garland wants a three-year deal while the Nationals would prefer two years.
Garland, 30, was 11-13 with a 4.01 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 33 starts this past season, earning $6.25 million. The Dodgers declined his $10 million option last month, with the Diamondbacks picking up the $2.5 million buyout as part of the August trade for infielder Tony Abreu.
With a 4.42 career ERA over 10 major league seasons, Garland is hardly worth three years, but the Nationals could do worse in their search for a veteran pitcher. Rosenthal names fellow free agents Jason Marquis and Doug Davis as other possibilities for Washington.