Bowden thinks Meyer could be used to get Span or a pitcher:
The Washington Nationals are looking for a center field upgrade over Rick Ankiel (.228 BA) and have been linked to Minnesota's Denard Span for more than a year.
Who could the Nats offer to Minnesota? ESPN Insider's Jim Bowden looks at the participants in Sunday's Futures Game and suggests the Nats could make righthander Alex Meyer available, either for Span or another starting pitcher.
Meyer is off to a strong professional start at low Class A Hagerstown, recording 98 strikeouts with just 64 hits allowed in 84 innings pitched. Bowden says he profiles to be a top-of-the-rotation starter:
- Doug Mittler
Jim Bowden
Will the Nats deal a prospect?
"GM Mike Rizzo is not afraid to trade prospects but is not a big fan of rental players. The Nats have a long-term philosophy, so if they trade a top prospect, they want to acquire a player who they can control beyond this year. Because Meyer signed just before the old Aug. 15 signing deadline, Meyer can't officially be traded until after Aug. 15 this year; however, the Nats could make Meyer available as a player to be named later in a deal at the deadline if they can acquire a center fielder such as the Minnesota Twins' Denard Span or Ben Revere, or a starter such as Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt Garza."