Washington Nationals: Why They Must Sign An Elite Closer This Winter

The playoffs have shown us so far that the Washington Nationals need to add an elite closer during the offseason

At the trade deadline this year, the Washington Nationals went out and acquired a great closer in Mark Melancon. Melancon had a strong postseason, but the Washington Nationals weren’t able to get to the next round. As the playoffs continue, the trend of having an elite closer/bullpen continues.

The final four teams left in the postseason each have a great closer. Last night, everyone saw the Cleveland Indians get the 25 outs from their bullpen as they took a 3-0 series lead in their series against the Blue Jays.

Just like the Nats, the Indians traded for an elite reliever (Andrew Miller) at the deadline and that move has paid off for them in October. In his five appearances this October, Miller has 20 strikeouts to only two walks. He has struck out 27 batters and not given up a run in his postseason career. Miller isn’t even the everyday closer in Cleveland. That job belongs to Cody Allen.

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As for the other three teams left, their closers (Roberto Osuna, Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen) combined for 119 saves during the regular season. The Washington Nationals saw firsthand what Jansen could do when he recorded seven outs and threw 51 pitches in the Dodgers Game 5 win at Nats Park.

During this postseason, the bullpens have been one of the main stories. In the NLDS, we saw Bruce Bochy make numerous pitching changes in the ninth inning against the Cubs in Game 4, a game in which Chicago would come back and win. In the regular season, the Giants blew 29 saves and couldn’t find a consistent closer option.

When October comes around every year, managers are quick to go to the bullpen to avoid their team giving up the big inning. This October, the bullpens have been the one shutting down the opposition more than the starting pitchers. Here is the stat that Inside Edge Scout tweeted out two days ago:

Now, the Washington Nationals bullpen, as a whole, was impressive this season and in the postseason (no earned runs allowed till Game 4). They finished the season with the second lowest ERA in the National League among relievers (3.37) despite having the third fewest strikeouts.

With Melancon being a free agent and closers being in high demand over the last few years, Mike Rizzo needs to either re-sign Melancon or bring in Jansen and Chapman as a free agent this winter. Without an elite closer at the end of the game, the Nats are probably not a World Series contender in 2017.

At the trade deadline this year, the Cubs and Indians gave up some of their top prospects to land Chapman and Miller from the Yankees. New York got prospects to build their farm system while the Cubs and Indians got that one elite reliever that help their team take the next step.

Now, the Washington Nationals weren’t able to take that next step. However, Melancon was the consistent closer the team needed and a huge departure from Jonathan Papelbon closing games. He went 17-for-18 in saves and only gave up six runs in his 30 appearances.

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Heading into 2017, the Washington Nationals will bring most of their bullpen back from a season ago. If they can re-sign Melancon or bring in Jansen or Chapman on a deal, it will keep their bullpen as one of the best in the National League. While Rizzo might have to give up a lot of money to make that happen, he needs to make sure this team has an elite closer going into next season.