Nationals: Three Possible Trade Targets to Fix the Bullpen
Twelve games into the 2019 season, the Washington Nationals bullpen has been a disaster. Here are three possible trade targets to fix the struggling pen.
In Major League Baseball in 2019 having a lockdown bullpen is a very important thing. In 2018, seven of the ten teams that qualified for the Postseason had a top-10 bullpen E.R.A. in the entire MLB.
Through twelve games of the Washington Nationals 2019 regular season, the bullpen has been a disaster. Saying it has been a disaster might even be too kind. It has been as bad as it could get. Washington has the highest bullpen E.R.A. in baseball at 8.12. In 37 innings the Nationals bullpen has given up 35 runs and opponents are hitting an alarming .314 against them.
In recent history, the performance of the Nationals bullpen has been a great indicator of whether or not the team makes the Postseason that year. In 2012,2014, and 2016 Washington had a top 10 bullpen in baseball, and they made the playoffs.
As we stand right now it is clear the group the Nationals currently have constructed is not going to get the job done. As great as it would be to give it a month and see if this group can turn things around, in a division as talented as the N.L. East is this season, Washington does not have time to wait around.
If the Nationals are serious about making the Postseason this year, they will need to acquire some outside talent to help their struggling bullpen. It is still very early, but here are four possible trade targets who could help fix the Nats pen.
Will Smith LHP San Francisco Giants
Our first possible trade target is 29-year-old left-handed reliever, Will Smith. Currently, the left plays for the San Francisco Giants who with the lack of talent on their roster and a 6-9 start to the season figure not to be real contenders to make the Postseason this year. This could motivate the Giants to move Smith, and his solid start to the 2019 season could make him a hot commodity. In 2018 Smith was very reliable out of the pen for the Giants, posting a 2.55 E.R.A. in 53 innings pitched, striking out 71 and walking just 15. Smith throws strikes and attacks hitters, and with the early struggles of Tony Sipp and Matt Grace, Washington could desperately use a left-handed reliever who could come in and help carry the load. Smith is one just a one-year $4.25 million dollar contract, so the Nationals would have no obligations to pay him after this season. For Washington, Smith would likely be a guy who would not cost you a top prospect, but could still give you some good value, helping sure up the clear problem at left-handed reliever in the bullpen. One possible option could be San Francisco needs outfield help, would you deal Michael A. Taylor and a low-level prospect for Smith if you’re the Nationals? I think the Giants would be willing to make a deal early in this season just from the fact that they clearly are not going to contend in a much improved N.L. West, and with the Dodgers off to such a hot start they may be willing to sell some of their pieces off early than normal.
Raisel Iglesias RHP Cincinnati Reds
Our next target is Cincinnati Reds closer, Raisel Iglesias. The Nationals ownership and General Manager Mike Rizzo have always had an affection for Iglesias, as rumored trade discussions between the two clubs for the player have come up on and off again over the past two years. Iglesias is a hard-thrower who misses bats on the regular. In 2018 for the Reds the 29-year-old struck out 80 batters in 72 innings and recorded 30 saves with a 2.38 E.R.A. This offseason Iglesias signed a three year $24.1 million dollar contract extension, leaving him under team control until the end of the 2021 season. Now for the Nationals ownership making a deal for Iglesias would be much different than making one for the beforementioned Will Smith. Iglesias would likely cost the Nationals a decent haul, likely one of there top three prospects, and beyond that, they would be making a long-term commitment to him for substantial money. In 2020 and 2021 Iglesias will be making $9 million dollars a season, around the same money Trevor Rosenthal is making this season but let’s not go there, but it is a lot to give to a guy who is not your closer. Now one positive of this is when Sean Doolittle’s contract is up, Washington would have a guy ready who can be a proven closer and step in and fill the void. Overall, a move for Iglesias would be an aggressive one, but it could play great dividends down the road. A combo of Iglesias and Doolittle in the eighth and ninth inning would be one of the best in baseball.
Keone Kela RHP Pittsburgh Pirates
Our third and final target is Keone Kela of the Pittsburgh Pirates or the guy who Anthony Rendon hit the game-tying home run off of last night. Now despite what you might think about Kela based off his performance last night, I believe he could be a great, cheaper option for the Nationals to upgrade their pen. Kela was traded from the Texas Rangers to the Pirates in 2018 and pitched very well during his time in Pittsburgh. In 16 games with the Buccos Kela recorded a 2.93 E.R.A. in 15.1 innings and struck out 22 batters. Kela greatest strength has always been missing batts. In his Major League career, Kela has struck out at least eight more batters than his innings pitched total. In 2018 as a whole for Texas and Pittsburgh, the right-hander struck out 66 batters in 52 innings pitched. 2019 has not gotten off to a great start for Kela as he has given up five earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched including three home runs, but he has the talent and ability to turn things around quickly. Kela currently is scheduled to make just $3.17 million this season and is under team arbitration control in 2020. Another plus is Kela is just 25 years old and is entering his fifth Major League season. He clearly still has room to improve and could be a guy Washington could try to lock up to a team-friendly long-term deal for their bullpen. According to SportTrac, the Nationals have about $8 million to work with before going over the luxury tax for the 2019 season. With Kela making just $3 million this season, he could be acquired and still keep the Nats under the tax in theory. Pittsburgh does not figure to be a contender this season, so the Nationals likely could acquire Kela without having to give up one of their top prospects. Once again, Michael A. Taylor may be an attractive option for the Pirates paired with Seth Romero or Yasel Antuna could get the deal done.
Bullpen Woes Continue as Nationals Fall to Pirates 6-3. dark. Next