MLB trade rumors: Athletics, Nationals have discussed Ben Zobrist, Michael Taylor

The Athletics and Nationals have matched up on plenty of significant deals over the last few years, and seem poised to potentially match up again due to Oakland's status as deadline sellers and Washington's attempt to add pieces for the stretch run. According to a report from Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Nats have interest in Ben Zobrist and Tyler Clippard, with the A's expressing that they would like to acquire outfielder Michael A. Taylor in any deal between the clubs.

Rosenthal notes that talks between the sides failed to gain significant traction, but the teams will likely continue talking in the six weeks before the trade deadline. Oakland has been known to make deals that send key veterans elsewhere while acquiring major-league ready pieces, making them both sellers and buyers, in a sense. Taylor would be a major-league ready piece who is controllable through the 2020 season, making him very attractive to an A's team that refuses to rebuild in the traditional way.

Washington is known to be one of many teams interested in Zobrist, along with the Yankees, Mets, and Cubs, and has expressed a willingness to make a move for a late-inning relief option. The team is obviously very familiar with Clippard, who they traded to Oakland in a deal for Yunel Escobar over the winter. The Nats have also been linked to Reds' closer Aroldis Chapman in recent reports.