Washington Nationals News: Reds scouting Nats’ Erick Fedde as Chapman rumors swirl
By Pablo Roa
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, our own Shane Miller writes an article for Outside Pitch discussing the recent trade rumors involving the Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds. As Shane notes, the Nationals have been rumored for a while to be interested in Reds superstar closer Aroldis Chapman. While no deal has been reported of yet, it looks like something could be brewing between the two clubs.
As Shane writes in his article, the Reds have been scouting the Nationals’ 2014 first-round draft pick, right-hander Erick Fedde. Since the Reds would likely seek top-tier prospects in any trade involving Chapman and since the Nationals already have a wealth of pitching talent at the big league level and in the minors, it would make sense that a deal for Chapman would send Fedde—Washington’s No. 6 prospect, according to MLB.com—to Cincinnati.
More from Nationals News
- Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
- Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
- Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
- A Washington Nationals Christmas Wishlist
- Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB
Of course, this is all speculative. While it’s true that the Reds are scouting Fedde, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo usually keeps his cards close to his chest, so we probably won’t know if a deal for Chapman is in the works until it happens (or doesn’t). Also, as Shane notes, Fedde alone likely wouldn’t be enough to land Chapman.
One thing’s for certain, acquiring Chapman would be a huge boost for the Nationals. Once the offense gets healthy, the only real question mark surrounding the Nationals down the stretch and into October will be the bullpen. Closer Drew Storen has been phenomenal this season, saving 29 games, but the rest of the ‘pen has been inconsistent and, at times, unreliable. Adding Chapman—one of the best relievers in baseball—as either a setup man for Storen or as a closer would instantly make the team better.
Would a deal for Chapman be costly? Of course. Could it complicate the late-inning dynamic to have arguably the two best closers in the National League on the same team? Possibly. But if it brings a World Series trophy to the nation’s capital, it’s absolutely worth it. No matter what the long-term outcome of a trade for Chapman would be, it would undoubtedly make the Nationals a better team for the most important stretch of the regular season and, hopefully, for October.
With the July 31 trade deadline right around the corner, be sure to stay tuned to DoD as we continue to cover all trade rumors involving the Nationals.
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Posts Chelsea Janes provides an update on the Nationals’ new Spring Training home in West Palm Beech, Florida, which they will share with the Astros. Janes discusses the events that have cleared the way for construction of the new site and shares the latest artist’s renderings of the proposed facilities.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Cincinnati Reds scouting Washington Nationals Erick Fedde
Thursday night it was reported by Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal that the Cincinnati Reds have two officials scouting former Washington Nationals first round pick in 2014 Erick Fedde in Vermont. It has been rumored throughout July that the Nationals are interested in Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, who would be an immediate upgrade to their bullpen. There is no official word on who the Reds would send in a deal, and by no means will it be a straight up deal, but Jay Bruce wouldn’t be a fit for the Nationals and neither would starting pitching.
Chapman is having an All-Star season going 3-4 with a 1.74 ERA, 19 saves, 74 strike outs, 23 walks and a 1.25 WHIP. The Nationals could use some help in the back half of the bullpen, and Chapman would bring just that being the set up man for current closer Drew Storen. Another plus for the Nationals is that they will have Chapman through 2016, and could look to either sign him long term in the off season, or flip him at the deadline next year.Read full article here.
A look at the latest renderings of the Nationals’ and Astros’ new spring training site
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
In mid-June, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a bill clearing the way for the Nationals and Astros to move forward with planning of their new spring training facility, to be built on a 160-acre site in West Palm Beach, far closer to other Grapefruit League teams than the Nationals’ current complex in Viera. His signature altered a land-use bill that might have restricted 27 acres of land from use, so with it, the teams and their planning firm, HKS, could begin to finalize plans. Read full article here.