Let’s envision a true Hot Stove surprise: The Washington Nationals signing a prominent free agent who is not represented by agent Scott Boras.



Difficult to imagine, I know. But according to major league sources, the Nats are interested in a non-Boras starting pitcher — right-hander Lance Lynn, who is represented by Excel Sports.



The Nationals will not necessarily sign Lynn, not when they already are over the $197 million luxury-tax threshold, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. But the team lacks a proven fifth starter and needs another long-term solution for its rotation beyond right-handers Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg.



Left-hander Gio Gonzalez is a free agent after the 2018 season, while righty Tanner Roark is a free agent after ‘19. Lynn, 30, would be more affordable than Boras’ top free-agent starter, right-hander Jake Arrieta. And Derek Lilliquist, the Nats’ new pitching coach, was Lynn’s pitching coach...