District Daily: Nationals likely to trade Tyler Clippard?

Oct 4, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher

(36) reacts after getting the third out in the tenth inning against the San Francisco Giants in game two of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning DoD readers! Start off your Sunday with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web in our District Daily:

How would Washington Nationals signal they’re all-in for 2015? By doing very little.

(Barry Svrluga, Washington Post)

There aren’t supposed to be down years in a place such as St. Louis, where the pennants fly in the outfield and the four straight appearances in the National League Championship Series mean merely that another will be expected in 2015, the only acceptable outcome for any season. But the Cardinals somehow upped their already significant ante last month by trading for right fielder Jason Heyward — he with one year remaining on his contract, the only year he’s guaranteed to play in St. Louis. There’s no mixed message here: For 2015, the Cardinals are all-in.

The Dodgers are, too, because this iteration of the Dodgers comes with the most expensive roster in the game, and they have begun the offseason by overhauling their front office with new head Andrew Friedman and by addressing their small but important needs, trading for veteran reliever Joel Peralta, adding a backup outfielder that frees them to deal one of their surplus veterans. The Boston Red Sox, last place in 2014? All-in for 2015, given the $183 million they just spent on third baseman Pablo Sandoval and former shortstop/left fielder-to-be Hanley Ramirez – not to mention the moves they’re sure to make to improve their rotation. Read full article here.

More from District on Deck

• Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
• Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
• Washington Nationals Minor League Spotlight: Robert Hassell III
• Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
• 3 Free Agents the Nationals Should Gamble On

Washington Nationals likely to trade Tyler Clippard

(Scott Gelman, SB Nation)

With the Yankees signing Andrew Miller on Friday afternoon, the market for late inning setup options has quickly picked up. Sergio Romo and Luke Gregerson are among the veteran free agent setup men, but according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard will likely be traded this offseason and can help a team looking to upgrade the back of the bullpen.

Washington has a significant amount of right-handed relief options, and Clippard is expected to make $8 or $9 million in his last year of arbitration. In addition to having other relief options, which include Aaron Barrett, Craig Stammen, Blake Treinen, and Taylor Hill, the Nationals likely feel that Clippard is getting too costly. Although Miller was signed to a four-year, $36 million contract and Clippard has had comparable success, the Nationals’ depth would make losing a consistent reliever such as Clippard manageable. Read full article here.