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Washington Nationals trade Tanner Roark to the Cincinnati Reds

By Blake Finney

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 11: Tanner Roark #57 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of the doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park on September 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 11: Tanner Roark #57 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of the doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park on September 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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In a stunning move on Wednesday night, the Washington Nationals announced that they traded Tanner Roark to the Cincinnati Reds for Tanner Rainey.

Late on Wednesday, the Washington Nationals made their first move of the Winter Meetings. The team announced a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, dealing away Tanner Roark for pitching prospect Tanner Rainey.

There had been rumors on Tuesday of the Nats floating Roark’s name out in trade talks and it appears as though they have acted. With a dire need for starting pitching, the Reds pounced and will hope that Roark can bounce back next season.

According to MLBTradeRumors, Roark could be set to make around $9.8 million this offseason in his final year of arbitration. Clearly, the Nats feel like they can use that money either for another starter, or to bolster another need and fill the rotation out with a trade.

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The right-hander started 2018 well, posting a 3.17 ERA in his first 10 starts, but in his next 10 starts, he produced a poor 7.11 figure, losing his command a bit and was made to pay. He did at least save his season a bit with seven starts where he put up a 1.61 ERA and clearly the Reds are hoping to have the good Roark.

In return for Tanner Roark, the Nationals received another Tanner in Tanner Rainey, a right-handed pitching prospect. Rainey made his big league debut with the Reds last season, but it didn’t go as planned with a 24.43 ERA in eight appearances, where the long ball was a big problem.

However, beyond that ugly looking ERA, Rainey does have plenty of upside out of the bullpen for the Nationals, as he displayed in Triple-A. In 44 appearance for the Lousiville Bats, Rainey posted a much better 2.65 ERA while striking out 65 in 51 innings. He’ll likely attempt to compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot with the team, but provides solid depth for the team.

Next. 4 Winter Meeting Trade Packages. dark

Tanner Roark was a great get for the Washington Nationals from the Texas Rangers in the Cristian Guzman trade. Unfortunately, with a lofty projected salary in 2019, the team is going to explore other avenues in the rotation.

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