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Washington Nationals News: Drew Storen will miss DC, looks forward to Toronto

By Pablo Roa

Sep 2, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Drew Storen (22) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. The Nationals defeated the Cardinals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Drew Storen (22) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. The Nationals defeated the Cardinals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Today’s District Daily has more on the recent trade that sent Washington Nationals reliever Drew Storen to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Ben Revere.

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, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discuses former Nationals reliever Drew Storen. The Nationals traded Storen — who has been a key part of the bullpen for several years — to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Ben Revere last week.

As Ladson notes, Storen will miss playing for the team that drafted him but looks forward to a fresh start in Toronto. Storen has been through a lot with the Nationals and was a key part of their NL East-winning 2012 and 2014 campaigns.

Last year, however, Storen’s relationship with the club became contentious when the Nationals acquired closer Jonathan Papelbon from the Phillies. Storen was in the midst of a stellar season as the team’s closer, and the trade and his subsequent demotion to the eighth inning crushed his confidence and led to a dismal second half for the right-hander.

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The Nationals essentially told Storen they didn’t want him to be their closer twice — first when they acquired closer Rafael Soriano after the 2012 season, and again when they got Papelbon last year. Given the team’s lack of faith in Storen and his 2015 collapse, trading the right-hander was all but inevitable for the Nationals this offseason.

With the trade, however, Storen gets a fresh start in Toronto. He was one of the most talented relievers in the Nationals’ bullpen, and with a change of scenery and a chance to once again return to the closer’s role, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be successful north of the border.

Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com columnist Tracy Ringolsby discusses why the Storen-Revere trade is beneficial for everyone involved.

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.

Storen will miss DC, but excited for chance in Toronto

(Bill Ladson, MLB.com)

WASHINGTON — When Drew Storen‘s phone rang on Friday night, he noticed that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was on the other line. He figured Rizzo wasn’t calling him to say, “Happy New Year.”

Storen turned out to be right. Rizzo called to say the right-handed reliever had been traded to the Blue Jays for outfielder Ben Revere. The trade for Storen may mean he will be the closer in Toronto. Storen thanked Rizzo for drafting him as the 10th-overall pick in the 2009 Draft. Read full article here.

Revere-Storen swap benefits all parties

(Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.com)

In a world overcome by long-term contracts, opt-out clauses, team options, player options and buyouts came a trip back to the good old days late on Friday night.

There was actually a trade between two anticipated contenders, both of whom had a surplus, both of whom had a need, and both of whom were anxious to address their concerns.

Presto. Read full article here.

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