Washington Nationals: Grading Mike Rizzo’s 10 best free agent signings
By Brian Foley
Matt Capps (2010)
Because relievers are inherently fungible, it is not uncommon for a bad team to snatch up a reliever on a cheap, short-term deal with the hopes of trading him for future pieces. Look at all the relievers who have already been signed to contracts this offseason. Philadelphia signed Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter to two-year deals; don’t be surprised if one or both of those arms is on the trading block this deadline or next.
Washington pulled a similar move with Capps prior to the 2010 season for one year worth $3.5 million. Ultimately, the Nationals reaped the benefits for the next half-decade.
Capps pitched shockingly well for the Nationals over the first-half of the season, posting a 2.74 ERA over 46 innings with 26 saves, en route to his first career All-Star appearance. Rizzo promptly flipped the 26-year-old closer to Minnesota for prospects Wilson Ramos and Joe Testa that July.
Capps pitched decently for the Twins over the next two-and-half seasons, but Rizzo earned the real prize with Ramos. Ramos battled through injuries and surreal kidnappings with Washington, and hit .268/.313/.430 over seven years. Ramos came into his own in 2016 with an .850 OPS, but tore his ACL in late September, and moved onto Tampa Bay in the offseason as a free agent.
Still, the Nats extracted an All-Star caliber catcher from a one and done signing of a reliever. Commend Rizzo for pulling off this signing and subsequent heist.
Grade: A+