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Nationals Rumors: Nats’ closer search - Aroldis Chapman? Mark Melancon?

Mike Rizzo and Co. in Washington’s front office pursued Aroldis Chapman when the Cincinnati Reds were fielding offers for the hard-throwing left-hander last winter.

Rizzo later acknowledged interest in Chapman, who’d been a target for the Nationals at various times over the years, but when news of a previously unreported domestic dispute came out, the Nats stepped back from their pursuit.

"It's changed, obviously, with the allegations against him," Rizzo said.

"It's something that we're not going to continue to go after until we find out how things have happened. It's something that we don't want to get into that because of the allegations against him.