"The Nationals, continuing their quest to add a left-handed starting pitcher, are pushing hard to land the Athletics' Gio Gonzalez, according to major-league sources.

Gonzalez, 26, is perhaps the hottest pitcher available on the trade market, and the Marlins, Red Sox and Rangers are among the other teams showing strong interest in him.

The Nats want an established lefty to go with their two young right-handed starters, Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann. They were the runner-up for free-agent left-hander Mark Buerhle, who signed a four-year, $58-million contract with the Marlins."