When it happens, the Nationals, like with pretty much every other development this offseason, will insert themselves into the thick of things. They have tried hard to find a front-of-the-rotation starter. They offered Jorge De La Rosa a bigger contract than he signed, and they got involved with Lee before the price spiraled out of control.
On the pitching front, the Nationals will now turn their attention toward either signing right-handed free agent Carl Pavano or acquiring one of the two big prizes who could be available via trade -- Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals and Matt Garza of the Tampa Bay Rays.