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WASH: 3 players Nationals should sign to round out spring roster

By James Simmons

Keone Kela #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 13, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Keone Kela #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 13, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Keone Kela endured an injury plagued 2020 season and is looking to rebound, possibly with the Nationals.
Keone Kela #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after a 9-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 24, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Keone Kela

Every so often the Nationals bullpen goes through a complete overhaul. However, there will be a lot of familiar faces back with the team this year. The team did add a new closer in Brad Hand, a lefty specialist in Sam Clay, and potentially a long-man in Rogelio Armenteros. Are the Nationals ready to give meaningful innings to Dakota Bacus or Ryne Harper?

Keone Kela is coming off a season where he battled right forearm tightness which cost him all but three games. In six years pitching for the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates, Kela has a 3.24 ERA (3.30 FIP), and strikes out eleven hitters per nine innings. In 2018 he saved 24 games for the Rangers, and while the Nationals are set at the closer position, having an extra guy who can handle high leverage situations is always a good thing.

There are some in the industry who think Kela will command a guaranteed contract. At this point in the game, I am sure he could be had for a minor league contract with the possibility to earn his keep when he makes the roster. Brandon Kintzler signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Philadelphia Phillies recently which would pay him $3M plus incentives should he make the roster.

Kela is the type of power arm the Nationals need on call.

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