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Washington Nationals: three players recently acquired who didn’t pan out

By James Simmons

JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Hunter Strickland #60 of the Washington Nationals pitches during a Grapefruit League spring training game against the St Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. The Nationals defeated the Cardinals 9-6. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Hunter Strickland #60 of the Washington Nationals pitches during a Grapefruit League spring training game against the St Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. The Nationals defeated the Cardinals 9-6. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Kelvin Herrera didn't have a good run with the Washington Nationals.
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 26: Kelvin Herrera #40 of the Washington Nationals in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 26, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Players are wearing special jerseys with their nicknames on them during Players’ Weekend. The Nationals defeated the Mets 15-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Kelvin Herrera

One of the most sought after arms approaching the 2018 trading deadline was Kelvin Herrera. The closer for the Kansas City Royals was on the trading block and most teams in contention were looking to add him to their bullpens.

The Washington Nationals struck early. They acquired Herrera in mid-June, well before the end of July trading deadline.

With Sean Doolittle entrenched as the closer, the Nats were going to use Herrera as a setup man. He struggled mightily.

In just 21 games, Herrera was 1-2 with a 4.34 earned run average. His WHIP was 1.71 and he allowed four home runs in just over eighteen innings pitched.

Herrera spend time on the injured list with a shoulder issue and as the August 31st waiver trade deadline approached would have surely been a good trade chip for the Nationals. Hovering around the .500 mark, it became clear the Nationals were not going to make the playoffs. With Herrera set to enter free agency at the end of the season they could have flipped him.

Less than a week prior to August 31st, Herrera torn a ligament in his foot. This marked the end of his season, ruined any chances the Nats had of moving him in a trade, and ended his tenure with the team.

When Herrera signed with the Chicago White Sox in the off season, he became a trade acquisition who didn’t materialize for the Nationals.

Next. Approaching trade deadline feels like 2018. dark

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