FanSided

Nationals: Three Former Players Washington Should Go After

By Max Rayman |
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 28: Greg Holland #56 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with teammates after saving a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals won 5-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 28: Greg Holland #56 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with teammates after saving a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals won 5-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
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Plenty of former Nationals litter the free-agent market, but Washington should target these three in particular.

Last week, James Simmons went over which three former Nationals the team should avoid re-signing and he made some compelling points defending each player.

For the most part, when players I have watched over the years in D.C. reach free agency, I get anxious and my mind starts to race with questions. Will we bring them back? If they leave, will it be on good terms? Why did they leave us for more money? It’s never easy watching one of your favorite players leave. Jordan Zimmermann and Ian Desmond after the 2015 season are prime examples. Both helped change the culture in Washington and turned the team into a constant winner. But both of them turned down Washington’s offers hoping to recieve more money on the open market. Regardless of the circumstances, it was sad to have them leave. But every now and then, a former face eventually makes their way back through these doors. Kurt Suzuki and Asdrubal Cabera come to mind.

This time around, I will be covering which former Nationals the team should bring back. For this exercise, I decided against players who were on the team last season and have become free agents.

Mark Melancon #43 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after a victory against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on October 2, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Mark Melancon #43 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after a victory against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on October 2, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Mark Melancon

In 2016, the trade deadline was coming up and Washington was in the driver’s seat for the NFC East. Needing a closer, the Washington Nationals traded for Mark Melancon who settled in nicely in the nation’s capital. In 30 games with the Nats, Melancon went 1-1, with a 1.89 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and a 2.07 FIP, while going 17 for 18 in save opportunities. Unfortunately, Melancon left in free agency to sign with the Giants on a four-year deal worth $64 million. Melancon never flourished with the Giants, battling injuries and inconsistencies. After two and a half years with San Fransisco, they shipped him out to Atlanta where a change of scenery helped him immensely. In a year and a half with the Braves, Melancon went  3-1, with a 3.30 ERA, 14 strikeouts, and a 3.72 FIP, while going 22 for 24 in save opportunities.

At the age of 35, Melancon’s time as an elite closer has come to an end, but he is still a dependable reliever. Washington’s bullpen lacks consistency, with Tanner Rainey being the only true constant. Melancon would immediately add another late innings option who can thrive in high-pressure situations. Melancon does not strike out many, instead, he flourishes with his high ground ball rate. Opposing hitters also struggle to square him. After Daniel Hudson and Will Harris, both took a step back in 2020, Washington will need another solid option in the bullpen.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 29: Blake Treinen #45 of the Washington Nationals pitches during a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on June 29, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Cubs won 5-4. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 29: Blake Treinen #45 of the Washington Nationals pitches during a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on June 29, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Cubs won 5-4. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Blake Treinen

Blake Treinen was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2011, but was traded to the Washington Nationals before the start of the 2013 season. Treinen came up through the Nationals farm system and knows the team well. From 2014-2017 Treinen was apart of  Washington’s bullpen and at times held down the closer role.

Unfortunately, in 2017 he struggled with a 5.73 ERA and eventually became apart of the trade that sent Sean Doolittle to D.C. A change of scenery was exactly what Treinen needed because in 2018 with the A’s, he had a career year. He went 9-2, with a .78 ERA, 100 strikeouts, and a 1.82 ERA, while going 33 for 38 save opportunities. He took a major step back in 2019 which ended with the Athletic’s cutting him. He signed a one year prove-it deal with the Dodgers for 2020. Treinen had mixed results, going 3-3, with a 3.86 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and a 3.15 FIP. The veteran became a key part of the Dodgers bullpen for their World Series run. In 11.1 innings he went 1-1, allowing only six runs (4.76 ERA) while striking out 10. He went 1-0 in save opportunities and had three holds.

I was sad to see Treinen leave but I knew he needed a new start. Coming back to D.C. would benefit both sides. For Washington, they would be adding another steady reliever who could fill multiple roles. For Treinen, he would be joining a contender where he would be welcomed back with open arms.

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Greg Holland #56 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on September 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Greg Holland #56 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on September 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Greg Holland

Greg Holland has already spent two separate stints with Washington, so why not make it three? The former AL Reliever of the Year was apart of the Nationals bullpen in 2018 and spent time in the team’s minor league system in 2019. Holland has only thrown 21.1 innings with Washington at the pro level, but he left a lasting impression in my mind. I was an advocate for bringing him back in 2019, but instead, he signed with the Diamondbacks. Now that he has once again reached the open market, it is time Washington makes him a key part of the bullpen moving forward.

From 2011-2017, Holland was one of the best relievers in the game. Over that time he was a three-time All-Star, while also being named 2014 AL Reliever of the Year and 2017 NL Comeback Player of the Year. And let’s not forget that he also led the NL in saves in 2017. His peak came in 2013, when he went 2-1, with a 1.21 ERA, 103 strikeouts, and a 1.36 FIP, while going 47 for 50 in save opportunities. Since 2017, Holland has played for four different teams with mixed results.

Washington has just over a projected $47 million to work with and they need to allocate the money evenly. Instead of splurging on a reliever, Washington should bring back the cost-effective Holland. When he was with the Nats, he posted a .84 ERA and most recently posted a 1.91 ERA in 28 games with the Royals. Holland’s time as a lights out closer has come to an end, but as long as Washington doesn’t overwork him (2019 with the Diamondbacks comes to mind) he can still perform at a top-level.

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