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It's been a crazy week at the Winter Meetings with big deals, rumors, denials and drama. Just today, the Washington Nationals were reportedly pursuing a deal with Mike Leake before their interest reportedly cooled.
Mike Rizzo told reporters in Nashville tonight that the Nats did make an offer for the veteran right-hander, but a few hours later reports came out which said a deal with the former Cincinnati Reds' starter didn't seem likely:
Sources: #Nationals cooling on Leake. Pursuing other pitchers. Agreement with Leake now considered unlikely.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
Hearing #Nationals were never aggressive on Leake. Don't plan to add a big SP.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2015
When Rizzo did talk about the offer to Leake confirming it was made, he did, however, say that it was one of several the Nationals put out there while they look to add what they can to their roster this winter.
USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale mentioned interest in veteran lefty Scott Kazmir:
The #Astros are trying to bring back Scott Kazmir while other teams including the #Nats have shown interest
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 9, 2015
CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman said they may have interest in Wei-Yin Chen:
giants, cardinals, royals, nats among possibilities for wei-yin chen. https://t.co/zFFYWshgfF
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 10, 2015
With all the talk of starters, however, the Nationals' desire to bolster their bullpen took a backseat for a while, but then New York Post writer Joel Sherman tweeted that the Nationals had signed a bullpen arm:
Hearing #Nationals have 1-yr deal with Yusmeiro Petit, pending physical #sfgiants
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2015
Petit, 31, spent the last four seasons with the San Francisco Giants after pitching for the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks earlier in his seven-year major league career.
In 41 appearances out of the bullpen for the Giants last season, the right-handers had a 3.47 ERA, a 3.96 FIP, 14 walks (1.80 BB/9) and 57 Ks (7.33 K/9) in 76 innings, holding opposing hitters to a .247/.285/.455 line.
More info on the reported signing when/if it's available...