Jayson Stark reported that the Pirates and Nationals have been talking about Andrew McCutchen. As of Thursday evening, those two sides had seemed to reach an impasse, with Washington trying to move quickly.

The Dodgers have interest in McCutchen, sources say, and his relatively modest salary of $14 million in 2017 and his team option for $14.75 million in 2018 would help L.A. continue to shave away at its payroll, which could take a dramatic turn downward over the next couple of years. The Dodgers’ estimated future payroll obligations from year to year, excluding arbitration-eligible players, according to Baseball Reference.

2017: $193.1 million

2018: $185.9 million

2019: $111.1 million

This winter, the Dodgers have three significant free agents: Justin Turner, a third baseman who is a one-of-a-kind item on their roster and an important part of their lineup; Kenley Jansen, the market’s best available closer; and Rich Hill, who is the best available starting pitcher. In a perfect debt-free world, the Dodgers would probably love to have all three back, but rival evaluators believe L.A. will have to make tough choices and find alternatives to Jansen in particular.