Washington Nationals Rumors: Nats mentioned in connection with... everyone?

After mentioning the Washington Nationals as potential suitors for free agents Yoenis Cespedes, Alex Gordon, Dexter Fowler, Gerardo Parra, Wei-Yin Chen and Ian Kennedy, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman acknowledged in an article this afternoon that the Nats, "... can be connected to almost anyone at the moment," with money to spend and rumors of interest in adding an outfielder and a starter this winter.

The Nationals made a bid for Jayson Heyward, believed to have been in the $200M range, before the 26-year-old outfielder signed with the Chicago Cubs.

Multiple reports in the last few weeks have said they remain interested in adding an outfield bat.

The Nationals, Heyman writes, "... probably could use someone to bat behind MVP Bryce Harper going forward," and, "Cespedes, who hits righties as well as lefties, would seem like a potential fit."

He does, however, add that, "[o]ne Nats-connected person, speaking about the possibility of Cespedes, said, 'Probably not, at least not at the moment.' Which doesn't exactly shut the door on Cespedes."

Though he writes that the Nationals could make a run at Cespedes, Heyman notes that they are, "... thought to be an outside possibility to do so," though, "they still should have money left over from their failed attempt to sign Heyward."

The Kansas City Royals, reportedly offered 31-year-old outfielder Alex Gordon a four-year deal worth between $12-13M per, according to ESPN.com's Jim Bowden, and, "... word came from Gordon's camp to Kansas City that as things stood then the Royals had 'no chance' to retain their star left fielder."

He mentions the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles as teams with interest and writes that the, "Nationals are yet another team that would fit -- though the South Siders of Chicago may be the favorite here."

Nationals Rumors: Nats still pursuing an outfielder/center fielder?

Photo © Rafael Suanes/USA TODAY Sports

In mentioning Geraro Parra as a potential target, Heyman writes that the Nationals, "... have more work to do and GM Mike Rizzo, who acquired Parra for the Diamondbacks and is said to be a fan."

Dexter Fowler, "... had a terrific second half for the [Chicago] Cubs, especially offensively, and the Cubs, Nationals, Giants and Royals all could work."

The Nationals have reportedly expressed interest in left-hander Wei-Yin Chen and right-hander Ian Kennedy as well, Heyman writes, though Rizzo has said he's happy with the in-house options for the starting rotation and the back-up and minor leaguers in the organization.

Washington has added Yusmeiro Petit, Oliver Perez, Shawn Kelley, Trevor Gott (and Michael Brady), Daniel Murphy and Stephen Drew, among others, already this winter. What's next for Mike Rizzo and Co.?