Report: Nationals open to trading Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister

The Washington Nationals are open to trading starting pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister, but would require a "strong return." Zimmermann, 28, is a two-time All-Star and went 14-5 last season with a 2.66 ERA and 182 strikeouts.

The Washington Nationals are open to trading starting pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister, but would require a "strong return," USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports.

Zimmermann, 28, is a two-time All-Star and went 14-5 last season with a 2.66 ERA and 182 strikeouts. He tossed a no-hitter against the Miami Marlins in Washington's regular season finale.

Zimmermann is entering the final season of a two-year, $24 million contract after the two sides failed to agree to a long-term contract before last season. He has spent his entire career with the Nationals since being a second-round pick in 2007 and has a 57-40 career record with a 3.24 ERA.

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Fister, 30, won 16 games with a 2.41 ERA for the Nationals last season, his first year with the team. Fister will make $7.2 million in 2015 and become a free agent following next season. He played for the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers before joining the Nationals.

Washington's 3.03 team ERA led the majors last season. Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark and Gio Gonzalez were the other members of Washington's starting rotation that won a combined 69 games in 2014.

The Nationals finished 96-66 last season and won the NL East. They lost to the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants in the NLDS.

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- Paul Palladino