A Taylor Guilbeau reunion with the Nationals is possible

After being designated for assignment, Taylor Guilbeau may find his way back to the organization who drafted him, the Nationals.

The year was 2019 and the Washington Nationals were in desperate need of help in the bullpen. They put together a package of three minor leaguers for the Seattle Mariners, and received Hunter Strickland and Roenis Elias in return. A trade which did not work out for the Nationals as Strickland  continued to be plagued by the gopher ball and Elias injured himself while batting, of all things. Neither pitched for the Nationals in 2020, and neither is still with the organization.

Taylor Guilbeau was one of the players sent to Seattle in the trade and is now available for the taking.

Selected in the 10th round of the 2015 draft, Guilbeau rose as high as Triple-A with the Nationals organization. He debuted in the majors after the trade, appearing in 17 games for the Mariners, pitching 12.1 innings as a left handed specialist.

A year ago Guilbeau found work in eight games, struggling to keep opposing hitters off base. In 7.2 innings he walked six and gave up eight hits. Just one runner came around to score, however.

Twenty-five games was enough for the Mariners to determine Guilbeau wasn’t going to be a part of the future and they put him on waivers. The Arizona Diamondbacks snagged him, though less than four months later they designated him for assignment, making room on the roster for Joakim Soria.

Guilbeau will sit in DFA limbo until the Diamondbacks decide what to do with him. I do not believe the Nationals will put in a waiver claim for him. If Guilbeau clears waivers and the Diamondbacks choose to outright release him, a reunion is possible with the Nationals.

Players tend to make their way back to the organization they were drafted by, if they left on good terms. Seeing Guilbeau return to the Nationals as minor league depth would not be a surprise.