Anyway, it would certainly make sense for the Nationals to keep a couple of rotation spots open for Giolito and Cole instead of signing four pitchers to long-term deals over the next couple of years. Washington is spending about $65 million on its rotation this year. That will move north next year, but perhaps not as much as you think. For instance, the Nationals could re-sign Zimmermann at $20 million per season and enter 2016 with a rotation of Max Scherzer, Gonzalez, Strasburg, Zimmermann and Cole for a total price tag of about $70 million. And keep in mind they still have 28-year-old righthander Tanner Roark, who logged 198 2/3 innings in 31 starts with a 2.85 ERA and solid rate stats last season, under club control through 2019. So they could let Zimmermann walk, sign David Price for $30 million, trade Strasburg to upgrade the offense, and enter the season with a rotation of Scherzer, Price, Gonzalez, Roark and Cole, again for $70 million or so.