Washington has been telling its fans that it’s doing everything possible to bolster its pitching staff — even going so far as to claim it has reached out to every team in the league about the availability of top-tier arms.
But how true is that claim?
A closer look suggests the reality may be far more selective.
Washington already has three pitchers ranked in the league’s current top 20 — John Burkett, Andy Pettitte, and Kevin Millwood — yet rumors persist that the front office is aggressively shopping for another frontline starter. To evaluate those claims, we examined the rest of the top-20 pitching list, team by team, and looked for any evidence that Washington has actually been involved in talks.
Team-by-Team Breakdown
Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore currently has Dwight Gooden and Steve Avery on the list. Gooden is franchised and therefore unavailable, but Avery remains a plausible target.
Chicago Cubs
Mike Hampton (#20) is the Cubs’ lone representative. Given the long trading history between Chicago and Washington, this is one of the more realistic connections.
Cincinnati Reds
Mike Mussina (#7) appears here, and he fits the profile of a player Washington’s front office (particularly JC) would pursue aggressively.
Colorado Rockies
Curt Schilling is franchised and unavailable.
Florida Marlins
Ownership has publicly stated that no offers have been received for either Roger Clemens or Kevin Appier, casting doubt on any claims that Washington is actively pursuing Florida’s top arms.
Kansas City Royals
There has been no public confirmation of inquiries regarding Kevin Brown or Denny Neagle, though both would clearly fit Washington’s needs.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Greg Maddux is franchised and unavailable.
Minnesota Twins
Juan Guzman stands out as a potential acquisition, and there has been no indication that Washington has not asked about him — making this one to watch.
Montreal Expos
Montreal ownership has also stated that no offers have been made for Pedro Martinez or Mark Guthrie to this point.
Orlando Devil Rays
John Smoltz is franchised and unavailable. No information has surfaced regarding Joe Johnson, leaving his status unclear.
Seattle Pilots
There has been no indication from league ownership — which currently runs Seattle — that Washington has made an offer for Randy Johnson. Moreover, it has been stated publicly that Johnson will not be dealt while the league controls the franchise.
So Who Is Really on Washington’s Radar?
Based on available information, Washington has not made offers for Pedro Martinez, Mark Guthrie, Roger Clemens, or Kevin Appier, despite rumors suggesting otherwise.
The more realistic market for JC appears to be:
- Mike Mussina
- Joe Johnson
- Steve Avery
- Juan Guzman
- Denny Neagle
- Kevin Brown
Whether Washington ultimately expands its inquiries to Florida or Montreal remains uncertain. For now, the evidence suggests the front office may be projecting activity more than actually executing it.
As always, time will tell.