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World pitcher Reynaldo Lopez in the 7th inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. (Gary A. Vasquez | USA Today Sports)

The dots have been connected between the Yankees and Washington Nationals for weeks now. On Tuesday night, a potential piece to a blockbuster deal will take center stage.



Reynaldo Lopez isn't close to a household name yet, but the flame-throwing 22-year-old right-handed pitcher will toe the rubber for the Nationals on Tuesday night in Washington, D.C. against the Dodgers.

For Lopez, it will be his big league debut. For Yankees scouts likely in attendance, it will be a chance to watch one of Washington's best prospects in preparation of the trade deadline.



Here's why you should keep an eye on Lopez's debut and why his name would make sense in a deal with the Yankees between now and August 1:



-Yankees scouts are on the trail.



Over the weekend, the Yankees sent scouts to Triple-A Syracuse to watch the Nationals Triple-A team. Lopez was part of that team until receiving the call-up to pitch on Tuesday. There's a chance that Yankees scouts were there to watch him on his next turn. Now? They'll be in D.C. tonight.



-Washington and Aroldis Chapman is the perfect trade deadline marriage.



This is a franchise that gravitates toward big names and doesn't shy away from drama. Chapman fits both. Plus, the 105 MPH man has a great working relationship with current Nationals manager Dusty Baker dating back to their days together in Cincinnati.



-Lopez can be sacrificed for a run to the World Series.



Think of Lopez as the Nationals version of what Michael Fulmer was to the Mets last trade deadline. A very good and promising prospect, but without a sure spot in the long-term future of the rotation. The Nationals have Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Joe Ross, Gio Gonzalez and Lucas Giolito all either under long-term deals, with years of control or featuring a team option for the next few years. Washington's pitching staff might be set, regardless of how good Lopez shows to be. If the NL East leaders want to make a deal, tonight's starter is going to be an enticing chip.

2nd half predictions



-The Yankees need a young, ace-level arm.



Is that Lopez? Maybe. We're talking about a starter averaging over 11 strikeouts per nine innings this year and with an appearance in the Futures Game under his belt. Considering the Yankees lack of success with young arms, adding someone like this in a deadline deal would likely be an intriguing idea.

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.