Today we take a deep dive into some free agents that can fill the pitching rotation's 4th spot.

When the 2020 season ended, we all knew that the Washington Nationals would most likely decline its club option for Anibal Sanchez, opening a spot on an already impressive starting pitching rotation. Here are some of our thoughts on who the Washington Nationals should go after.

Recently, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports Washington suggested that the Washington Nationals go after left-hander Robbie Ray. In the article, Zuckerman laid out the Nationals likely interest level "Way back in December 2013; the Nationals acquired Doug Fister from the Tigers for Steve Lombardozzi, Ian Krol, and a young pitching prospect. At the time, Mike Rizzo was most disappointed about losing that prospect, and former Detroit GM Dave Dombrowski was most excited about acquiring him. That pry, who went on to be an All-Star for the Diamondbacks at the time in 2017. He's been wildly inconsistent since, with one of the highest walk rates in the majors. But he also strikes out a ton of batters. And Rizzo knows him. So perhaps a reunion is a possibility."

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Last month, on the Nats Report, we laid out some of the reasons why we think that Trevour Bauer would be a good fit for the Nationals. From the article, quote Bauer has an impressive resume over his past couple of years on the mound. Since 2017, the Southern California product has pitched to a respectable 3.46 ERA, good for 22nd in baseball over that span. Additionally, in 2018 he finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting and a solid 2019. In 2019, Bauer, while playing for two different teams Cleveland and Cinniciantti. Bauer finished with a win-loss record of 11-13, but his ERA was pretty high with a 4.48 in 213 innings pitched end quote.

In recent news, Washington Nationals outfielder and rising star Juan Soto has been left out of this year's National League MVP finalists. In an article on NBC Sports Washington, Todd Dybas wonders why Soto was left out of the list. From the article: "A final indignation was bestowed on the Nationals' 2020 season Monday night when no one from the organization was among the BBWAA awards finalists. Not even Juan Soto."

Around the Horn: MLB Headlines

On Monday, MLB team owners approve John Angelos to succeed his father as the Baltimore Orioles' official owner. The Baltimore Sun is reporting that "Major League Baseball team owners have voted to approve John Angelos as 'control person' for the Baltimore Orioles, meaning he has succeeded his father as the executive responsible for the team, two sources said Tuesday. The approval signals an official transition from the leadership of Peter Angelos, 91, whose health has declined in the past few years," per sources.

This week, former Cincinnati pitcher and now free agent Trevor Bauer made it official to be testing free agency via his agent. Bauer rejected an $18.9 million offer to remain in Cinniciantti. The Cy Young Award finalist will now be tied to a draft pick compensation this winter. Steve Adams from MLB Trade Rumors says that it is "unlikely" that this will stand in the way of him securing a more lucrative contract with a new team."

Other Major League Baseball Headlines

• MLB takeover of Minor league baseball is almost complete via Bless you Boys
• Is Mike Trout Losing His Grip as MLB's Best Player? via Blecher Report
• Opinion: Once a pariah, ex-Astros manager A.J. Hinch has returned to baseball with Alex Cora perhaps on the way via USA Today
• With 2020 season over, what's next for Major League Baseball? via Pittsburgh Business Times