Nats and A's have been frequent partners

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- On Wednesday, the Nationals acquired left-hander Jerry Blevins from the Athletics for outfielder Billy Burns, Washington's Minor League Player of the Year in 2013.

It marked the seventh time in three years the two clubs were able to complete a trade. For example, the Nats were able to acquire pitchers Gio Gonzalez, A.J. Cole and catcher Kurt Suzuki from Oakland, while the A's were able to trade for outfielder Michael Morse, left-hander Tommy Milone and catcher Derek Norris from Washington. Morse was part of a three-team deal that sent him to the Athletics and then on to the Mariners in January.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo didn't seem to think the frequency with which he deals with Oakland was a big deal.

"I think the relationship between [A's GM] Billy [Beane] and I is a little bit overstated," Rizzo said. "We kind of speak the same languages, as far as the way we approach trades. We are both very up front and very decisive when we see a match. … [The Athletics] scout our system extremely well. They know our players very well. They have had the players we were looking to acquire on quite a few occasions."