The Washington Nationals, in an attempt to find a top-of-the-line starter to pair with Stephen Strasburg, are making it their "top priority" to acquire Oakland Athletics pitcher Gio Gonzalez in a trade, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. The Nationals would have to surrender several prospects to land Gonzalez, but they appear to be willing to do so.

Trying to acquire A's left-hander Gio Gonzalez is the Nationals' top priority, according to a baseball source. The clubs are trying to work out a deal that would send four players to Oakland, and it is believed that Gonzalez will be traded soon.

The Athletics are especially looking at right-handed pitcher Cole Kimball and catches Derek Norris. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports indicates the Nationals seem willing to surrender more prospects as well.

Gonzalez finished 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA and 197 strikeouts last season. He is not arbitration-eligible until 2012. Ladson reports that the Nationals would pursue Roy Oswalt only as a backup plan.

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