The initial response to the news Wednesday was: What are the Nationals doing? They're giving up their two top pitching prospects for White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton?
After all, those prospects — right-handers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez — were the same guys the Nats reportedly offered the Sox (along with top outfield prospect Victor Robles) for left-handed ace Chris Sale the day before. It made sense to go the extra mile to get an elite starting pitcher. It seemed, at first, unwise to deal that much for Eaton, who is not considered an elite outfielder.
The final deal Wednesday turned out to be Giolito, Lopez and right-hander Dane Dunning, the Nats' first-round draft pick this year, for Eaton.