The Washington Nationals used the third day of baseball's Winter Meetings to pursue free agent catcher Paul Lo Duca, complete a trade for right-hander Tyler Clippard and actively chase Japanese left-hander Katsuhiko Maekawa, an intriguing prospect who would represent a foray into a new market. "We've been working very diligently," General Manager Jim Bowden said. With the meetings set to wrap up Thursday, the Nationals' pursuit of a catcher to complement 23-year-old Jesus Flores has dominated much of the time of club officials. Bowden reiterated Wednesday that Washington's preference is to trade for another catcher -- with Arizona's Miguel Montero, a left-handed hitter, being the primary target. But their backup plan has been to pursue a free agent, and Lo Duca has been at the top of the list of many of the club's baseball operations personnel since the meetings began. The 35-year-old veteran, however, was in negotiations on a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, and it's possible another club was involved as well. An official who has knowledge of negotiations regarding Lo Duca -- a career .288 hitter who hit .272 with 54 RBI in 2007, the exact same run production as former Nationals catcher Brian Schneider -- said Lo Duca could end up receiving $5 million. The Globe and Mail, based in Toronto, reported the Blue Jays' offer didn't exceed $4 million.