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Nationals Rumors: Nats talk Ian Desmond at Winter Meetings, but no deal

Multiple reports in the last few days said the Washington Nationals talked about Ian Desmond with the Seattle Mariners, but as the Winter Meetings end, subsequent reports have said the Mariners "appear cool" to the Nats' efforts to trade the shortstop.

By Patrick Reddington
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Washington Nationals made one deal in San Diego on the final day of the Winter Meetings, sending 28-year-old left-hander Ross Detwiler to the Texas Rangers in return for minor league infielder Chris Bostick, 21, and minor league right-hander Abel De Los Santos, 22.

There were rumors of interest in the Nats' 2007 1st Round pick throughout the week as the baseball world gathered at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, and after the lefty's representatives suggested to the Washington Post's James Wagner earlier this winter that a trade might be best, the Nationals did in fact deal Detwiler.

On the fourth day of the 2014 Winter Meetings, there was still some chatter about Ian Desmond as well.

There was a report on Wednesday, from FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, that the Nationals and Seattle Mariners talked about a deal for Ian Desmond.

Brad Miller, 25, struggled offensively in his second major league season with Seattle in 2014, with a .221/.288/.365 line, 15 doubles, four triples and 10 HRs in 123 games and 411 plate appearances in a +1.4 fWAR campaign, after a +1.8 fWAR season in 2013, in which Miller posted a .265/.318/.418 line with 11 doubles, six triples and eight home runs in 76 games and 335 PAs.

FOXSports.com's Jon Morosi reported on Wednesday night that Seattle could conceivably deal Miller since they had another option at short:

This afternoon, on the final day of the Winter Meetings, ESPN.com's Jim Bowden, who was, of course, once the Nats' GM, wrote that the two teams were continuing to talk about a potential Desmond deal:

"Walker" is Taijuan Walker, 22, the Mariners' 2010 1st Round pick, who was ranked by Baseball America as Seattle's top prospect heading into the 2014 campaign.

In his second major league season, Walker was (2-3) in eight games, five starts and 38 IP, over which he put up a 2.61 ERA, a 3.68 FIP, 18 walks (4.26 BB/9) and 34 Ks (8.05 K/9).

"Paxton" is left-handed pitcher James Paxton, ranked 3rd overall by Baseball America before the 2014 campaign, which saw the 26-year-old make 13 starts in the majors, going (6-4) with a 3.04 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 29 walks (3.53 BB/9) and 59 Ks (7.18 K/9) in 74 IP.

Nationals trade Ross Detwiler to Rangers

 Photo © Andy Marlin/Getty Images

While they have talked, according to multiple reports, Tacoma News Tribune writer Bob Sutton reported on Thursday night that Seattle, "... appear(s) cool, at this point, to Washington’s efforts to trade shortstop Ian Desmond."

Sutton has previously reported that the Mariners' attempts to acquire Los Angeles Dodgers' outfielder Matt Kemp stalled when LA, "... sought a revised deal that would include either Walker or Paxton."

Sutton wrote then that, "[m]ultiple club officials flatly dismiss the idea of trading either Walker or Paxton, whom they control for the next six and five years, to get a one-year rental."

The Nationals and Desmond's representatives did reportedly meet in San Diego to discuss an extension again during the Winter Meetings after failing to reach an agreement on a long-term deal after previous negotiations.

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