3:54pm: FanRag’s Jon Heyman reports that the Pirates sent about $500K to the Nationals as part of the deal (Twitter link).
2:00pm: The Nationals officially have struck a deal to acquire Pirates closer Mark Melancon, finally getting the late-inning upgrade they’ve been seeking. Southpaw Felipe Rivero is heading to Pittsburgh in return, with lefty pitching prospect Taylor Hearn rounding out the package.
Washington also gets cash in the deal, per Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post (via Twitter). Melancon is playing on a $9.65MM salary this year before reaching free agency. As a result of the mid-season move, the righty will not be eligible to receive a qualifying offer, which means he’ll enter the market free and clear of draft compensation.
The Nats have long been connected to the top of the relief market with incumbent Jonathan Papelbon struggling to hold down the ninth. The Nats picked him up this time last year, but while he had at least gotten the job done despite declining peripherals, the results have been bleak of late. While the team chased Aroldis Chapman, it wasn’t willing to meet the high asking price. And the Nats also balked at the apparent requests of a top-tier prospect in exchange for top closers Andrew Miller and Wade Davis — each of whom come with future control.
[Related: Updated Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates Depth Charts]
Melancon, 31, unquestionably constitutes a significant upgrade, though the loss of Rivero means that the team has lost a high-powered lefty from its roster. Still, it’s hard to argue with the decision to plug an established late-inning arm into the mix. The Nats can still turn to another power southpaw in Sammy Solis as well as crafty veteran Oliver Perez. Taking the broader perspective, the club certainly got more than it might have hoped for when it acquired Rivero as part of the early-2014 deal that brought backup catcher Jose Lobaton to D.C. in exchange for righty Nate Karns.
Interestingly, Melancon fits more the profile of Papelbon than of the other arms that D.C. reportedly targeted. He works in the 91 to 92 mph range with his average fastball and carries a swinging strike rate in the low-double digits. But as the now-aging Papelbon once did, Melancon has an increasingly lengthy record of pure excellence. Since coming to Pittsburgh in a seemingly minor trade, he has pitched to a 1.80 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and just 1.5 BB/9 across 260 1/3 innings. It has been more of the same this year, though Melancon’s typically outstanding groundball rate has dipped just below 50%. He currently sports a 1.51 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9, right at his now-established rates.
For the Bucs, it’s surely tough to part with such an integral part of the team with contention still in sights. But the club faces something of an uphill road despite its 52-49 record, with a powerful Cubs team still pacing the division and several other quality clubs angling for a Wild Card berth. After losing two consecutive play-in games, Pittsburgh obviously felt it wasn’t worth passing on this opportunity — particularly since it still figures to have a solid combination of Tony Watson and Neftali Feliz working to close out wins.
After all, Rivero will likely slot right into the Pirates pen, possibly constituting part of the Bucs’ late-inning mix — in the future, if not right away. The 25-year-old has monster stuff, even if his results have been uneven. The Pirates obviously put a high value on him, which is understandable given that he’s controllable through 2021 and is perhaps only just touching his potential. Rivero owns a 4.53 ERA in 49 2/3 innings on the year, but has posted 9.6 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9. If we’re being honest, it’s not out of the question that he could be every bit as good as Melancon right off the bat, though obviously he doesn’t come with anything near the veteran’s track record.
Hearn looks to be something of a younger version of Rivero. The 21-year-old features a huge fastball, but hasn’t yet advanced past the Class A level, where he owns a 3.18 ERA with 12.3 K/9 against 2.8 BB/9 over 22 2/3 innings. Hearn was originally drafted by Pittsburgh, then ended up going to the Nats after being taken in the fifth round of last year’s draft.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported the deal (links to Twitter), with Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweeting Hearn’s inclusion.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Oh snap. Very interested to see the return
Hopefully it’s a huge overpay so I have something to complain about today. I’ve been wayyyyy too happy this morning.
This comment system needs to implement some sort of up/down voting. +1 to you.
It’s what they needed to compete with the fastly improving Marlins
Not sure you know what that word means. The Nationals are more than capable of competing with the Marlins. Their 5 game lead in the division says so. The Marlins haven’t been within 5 games all season. Perhaps the Marlins should be making some moves in order to compete with the Nationals.
Wonder who they gave up?
Felipe RIvero is the “MLB ready setup” they wanted
GMNH got smart. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the terms.
Looks like andrew miller’s staying
Not if Cleveland or Texas puts in a big Prospect offer?
Yep. Unless Texas asks for him again.
I’ll give ya Gallo lol.
Hopefully is a huge overpay so I have something to complain about. I’ve had wayyyyy too good of a morning today.
This system needs a quicker post time. I’ve done the same thing. Post and twenty minutes later nothing. So I post again. Then two show up.
Some posts seem to get moderated, while others don’t, that could be why you'[re seeing delays on some of your comments. There are likely a bunch of buzz words that flag a post for moderation, and you probably used one.
Felipe Rivero for Melancon? Maybe a little overpay there.
Funny. Lots more must be moving to pirates.
Who else have you heard besides Hearn?
Nobody. I think it might be it accoriding to morosi. NH got screwed on this trade.
Ten years of control for two pitchers, one of whom is already a solid reliever in the bigs and the other is a lefty who hits 100mph for two months of a guy who was going to walk for nothing at the end of the year anyway. I wouldn’t say NH got screwed
I dont think you can call someone with a 4.18 era a “solid” reliever.
And Melancon had an ERA 5.00+ when they traded Hanrahan and I’m certain you complained about that trade, and probably didn’t like Snider for Brault/ Tarpley and other NH deals, the majority of which turned out very well. Advanced stats shows that Rivero is better than 4.18 and Hearns is a good prospect in a system that is a little thin in relief prospects.
Exactly. All that extra control means is he gets to suck even longer for your team. Congratulations.
Finally got someone to replace Jonathan Papelbon…great pickup for Nats. Now to see if they overpaid like most teams have done this year
Hopefully it’s a good prospect
So, take Papelbon out of the closers role? That worked out well with Storen last year.
That’s what I’m worried about
The difference here is Storen was still a lockdown closer when they acquired Papelbon. If Papelbon hadn’t already started struggling, the Nats likely wouldn’t even be in the market for a reliever.
I hope Cashman is fired at the end of the year. I have always liked his moves but I’m done with him now.
Why? He got a crazy haul for 2 months of Chapman
Uh, he just got a future Top 5 overall prospect for Chapman…who he can resign. He also can still move many pieces for the world.
Stop the hyperbole. You have no idea what Torres will be in the future. Right now he is a top 25 prospect, which is still a good haul for Chapman. There is no need to embellish what is already a great deal.
He will be a top 10 on every list next year for the simple fact that his organization is the New York Yankees.
No, that would be if he’s on the Red Sox along with their other future HOFers
Can’t blame him… He’s handcuffed with everything he’s been trying to do by Hal and that dbag Randy Levine…
From what I understand, Cashman is being held back by ownership. Not really his fault the Yankees aren’t doing more.
Ridiculous comment.
Why should he be fired? Because he didn’t make a deal with the Nats for Miller? They weren’t willing to go as high as his price was, and good on Cashman for sticking to his guns. I don’t want to get a lesser package. Miller is still a hot commodity and will be until his contract runs out. No need to force a trade unless you truly get an offer you cannot refuse.
In fact, if Cashman had accepted a trade with the Nats which brought back lesser prospects, then I’d echo your sentiment. Right now though, he’s doing great!
Well the Pirates wanted a champ man type deal so probably Lopez or Robles with rivero and freede and one other lower lottery troupe prospect
This has to be a joke. Pirates might get Fedde, but no Lopez and Robles, and certainly not one of them and Fedde
Wtf NH. I was a fan of dealing MM but if this is it im gonna be very disappointed.
read the article. Rivers is one of the players meaning more than one.
I did read the article I figured as much. But these prospects better be good or else the bucs severley lost this trade.
not sure you can lose a trade when the guy is an fa who won’t be given a QO
I disagree. Melancon is a very good reliever but he isn’t going to be the reason the Pirates make or miss the postseason. They can slot Feliz or Watson or Caminero into the 9th inning. Melancon will be a FA after this season so it’s quite important for Pittsburgh to extract any value from him while they can.
Cuase we gave away the best closer for nothing. Just like letting him walk.
Maybe but seems like the pirates emphasized getting LHP back. plus the price isn’t what Chapman was for its what the current guys are. if Robertson is being offered for a lot less it drives down melancons price.
Yeah but Robertson has a lot of money tied to him. That’s why his price in prospects is lower.
I doubt Turner Giolito Lopez or any huge name would be in the deal
Guess the Nationals aren’t getting Miller!
I hope the Yankees keep Miller and finish 4th place this year and next. They won’t get a better package than the Nationals were offering and it seems to be off the table now.
What was the Nationals offer? I saw blogger speculation and rumor, but never saw an actual offer.
The Nationals never offered Giolitto.
This is true. It was all media speculation. Next up: Cleveland: ‘Lindor+’
Pirates got robbed big time.
F*ck NH. Fire his dumba$$. I was a fan of trading MM but for these spare parts i would have laughed at the nats. He is running us into the ground.
What a moronic statement. How many other GMs can claim 3 straight playoff appearances? And what GM built them to get there? Running them into the ground…. Go line up on the Clemente bridge with the rest of the jumpers
Exactly.
Unless you are delusional enough to think the Pirates can win the WS this year….they could, but it’s a 1% chance, at best….then you realize NH just got something for nothing.
All moves, internally and externally, should be made with the goal of making legit WS runs in 17, 18 and 19 while they still have Cole.
The reliver they got sucks. Sure he can hit 100 but he has a 4.18 era for a reason. The prospect is in low a and will have no effect on 17, 18, 19.
+1
Wow 3 straight playoff apperences how many of those were in a series. One he had one good season. Last two time we went into the wild card we got embarrased and sucked harder than a Philippino whore.
@npalley98 They received an established cheap young lefty reliever under significant team control and a flame throwing TOR ceiling prospect for 2 months of a relief pitcher that they won’t retain. This is how small budget teams have to operate to maintain success.
For real? Why are we still playing then? Let’s just lie down if we think we are already dead. That is why the Pirates are not the Penguins. FO just never cared about winning, it’s always was about tomorrow and the promise of a bright future.
Like
This is high quality arm just like Mark was when we got him and traded Hammer.
Another intelligent move by NH.
Thank you for calling out the uninformed
Listen dude. NH has made a ton of fabulous deals. I had a hard time thinking we were gonna get a package like chapman did. Adding a power lefty that has control to the pen is great, especially when Mark was gone at the end of the season.
This is another Neise. Sire he can throw hard but so can caminero yet look at him he cant throw a strike to save his life.
Ur a dope! Great value for Bucs!!
95/88/98 the last three seasons. Couldn’t win 81 the twenty years before that and Huntington doesn’t know what he’s doing. You poser
Also dude, this is a site for friendly and intelligent baseball conversations, not a rant site where you throw out profanity because you don’t have a valid point
I’ve learned to give NH the benefit of the doubt on seemingly marginal pitching prospects after the Travis Snider deal.
Snider seemed like a good fit as the 4th outfielder and fans were actually mad when he was dealt for two no-name pitching prospects.
Well, one of them pitched pretty well in Milwaukee last night for the big team and the other is one of their better prospects in the lower minors.
But I know nothing about either of the guys they got..
If Rivero can help them going forward, it’s a good deal since Melancon was absolutely gone after this year.
“Aroldis Chapman-type deal”
Magnifies the Cubs overpay for chapman. Poor Theo getting worked over like Dave Stewart.
Melancon isn’t lefty, nor does he throw 100. Those two things bring a premium.
everyone saying that this makes theo look bad, stop. Sure, maybe theo payed a lot to get chapman for half a season. But it was a necessary trade. The Cubs cannot wastes the talent they have, so if you can add a top closer to your bullpen, worry bout the farm later. So dumb of people to say theo got worked because he made a World Series contender much better
I think this just proves that the rumors of the Nationals offering Giolito and the Yankees turning them down are absurd. If I am the Nationals I don’t invest a first round pick, years of rehab and grooming, only to trade the #1 overall prospect in the game (a potential ace pitcher at that) for a closer, even if he is the best available.
If I am Cashman and Rizzo calls me up and says “Okay this is your last chance, its Giolito or we are going with Melancon” – I accept in a heartbeat.
Nats never made that proposal.
If that is all they got AND they had to give up cash, then the Pirates got ripped off. They should have just kept Melancon and tried to catch the Cubs…or at least catch the Cards and Dodgers.
Hardly. This is a smart move for a small market team buried in 3rd place like the Pirates. For two months of a guy whose numbers are better than his stuff, they get two 100 mph lefties with loads of control.
Classic deadline trade. Decent for buying team, very good for selling team.
Velocity is the most overrated aspect of a pitcher. Control and deception are both much more important. I’d rather have a guy that puts up good numbers over two guys that have good “stuff” anytime. You seem like you’d rather have a guy that defeats a radar gun, I’d rather have a guy that defeats the other team no matter how fast he throws.
They’re not mutually exclusive. Defeating the radar gun gives you a better chance at defeating the other team. Sure, there are examples which defy this. But generally speaking, the harder you throw, the harder it is for players to catch up to it.
That was true, until everyone started throwing 98 MPH. It used to be a rare thing and hitters couldn’t catch up to it. Now hitters are getting used to it and are starting to get the timing down for that speed. Maddux is arguably the best pitcher of the last 75 years pitching mostly in the high 80s and I don’t think he ever touched 94 in his whole career. You can learn how to hit speed, but good location will beat you a lot more often.
I’m somewhat ambivalent to this trade. Seems like more of a lateral move than anything else. Taking from strength to plug a hole, doesn’t strike me as a winning philosophy. Still think Davis or Miller are the “all in” and “we’re gonna win this thing” types of statement.
The Pirates just want to save money, they’ll pay the players won the Pirates get good. I have mixed feelings about this trade
Tomahawk Take offered this trade for Winter Meetings…
Angels get: Swanson, Inciarte, Austin Riley, Soraka, Wentz, and Kolby Allard
Braves get: Trout
The trade allowed for the Halos, who have the worst Farm in Baseball, the opportunity to help themselves rebuild.
However, I feel like the better option would be to give the Halos more immediate impact players.
Angels get: Teheran, Vizcaino, Jenkins, Albeis (to play 2nd base), Allard, Inciarte, and Soroka
Braves get: Trout
the braves aren’t getting trout without including Swanson. not happening.
they’re not getting him period. braves4life1 is simply a troller
plus there isn’t a point to trading for immediate pieces if you are trading trout. you trade him and it’s rebuild city.
6 question marks for the best player in baseball. I’m sure the Angels will jump on that one
Have you seen the Angels Farm?? It’s the absolute worst in baseball. The Braves sent Simmons to the Halos for Newcomb, so the Halos have a SS. The Phillies and the Braves have the prospects plus ready to go players the Angels need for Trout.
Doesn’t matter. This is irrelevant to this Nationals/Pirates trade.
So you trade away your entire future to have Trout standing around in CF surrounded by a collection of bums? I hope to God the Braves do something like this so I can lol at them battling the Phillies for last place in the NLE every year.
As a die hard pirates fan I am not going to jump all over Neal Huntington for making this deal. Give it sometime before you judge the deal. Mark Melancon is going to demand way more money this offseason than the Pirates can offer. Might as well get some return for him instead of 2 months and nothing to show for it. The Pirates are trying to acquire as many young pieces as possible to compete with the Cubs in the future. Next year when Taillon, Glasnow, and Bell join the club full time the should be able to do that.
The Pirates just want to save money,The Pirates will pay their players when the team is a good. I have mixed feelings about this trade.
such a bad deal for the pirates assuming it is just rivero and hearn for mark and cash…
With another lefty coming in.. i’d expect more moves this weekend.
Two nice lefty pitchers (one already in the majors and doing fairly well) for a 2 month rental? I like this one for the Pirates.
It’s not a bad deal at all if you don’t compare it to the Chapman deal (which was the overpay equivalent to Shelby Miller). Rivero is actually very good if you look past the ERA
The Yankees and Braves, according to SB Nation, have opened up trade negotiations in bringing back Brian McCann to Atlanta.
Yankees get: Markakis, Vizcaino, Jenkins and Allard
Braves get: McCann and Betances
Betances alone would top the Giles/Chapman trades. Jenkins and Allard aren’t that.
It’s classic Braves4life1 trade offers. Things that make absolutely no sense for any side but ATL
I’m a recent baseball fan, more of a hockey guy…but it’s pretty clear that Brave’s fans are the equivalent of Toronto Maple Leafs fans, right?
Always think their players are worth FAR more than they are and think every good player in the league is coming to their team.
Is that about right?
Them and Red Sox fans, who are probably worse
Red Sox are by far the worst as far as overvaluing guys, but Braves are up there. Then you have Giants, Dodgers, and Cubs fans as most annoying/arrogant/non-discussion oriented.
That’s completely irrational for the Yankees to do that. Spun fantasy
My goodness, NH once again prooved how weak GM he is. The club is just 3 GB second wild card spot and desperately needs a good starter but NH just traded his best pitcher this season for a trash can and yet another prospect like we do not have enough talant in the minors for god sakes. What a pathetic waste of the once very promising season.
And yeah, for those who saying about his good deals and 3 playoffs. A normal fan should not even consider WC round as a postseason game. It’s just one game, it’s consolation for losers. As for tons of good deals, the only good deal Huntington made in all his years in Pirates was hiring Hurdle as a manager. Everything else is a pure luck and hard work of players/coaching staff. They won despite NH’s job, not because of it.
And who got all of those hard working players? Oh yeah…..
Well… Who hired John Russell as a manager? Who traded future star slugger Bautista to Toronto for nothing? Where is Andy LaRoche and Lastings Milledge? And by the way, how about Akinori Iwamura? How did that Niese/Walker trade worked out? How’s J.A. Happ doing this season? Should I still count all those stupid moves NH did since 2007?
What are you talking about. This year he picked up Freese, Joyce, and Feliz, who are all doing well. These guys all had history of being good, so it isn’t luck when they are performing. The two wild card losses came against Arrietta and MadBum, and we trotted out Edinson Volquez against Madison, so you can’t blame NH on any of your points
I can remeber exactly, that 2 years ago we needed a good hitter and a good starter. Huntington decided that the best move is no moves at all. We lost the division because he didn’t addressed the club needs. So yes, technically Volquez against Madison was his fault.
Teams need to stop trading with Rizzo he always wins, did not pay near market value for a premier closer who is just as good as Chapman is this year. This looks more like a please beat the Cubs for us this year gesture.
1). The Pirates are winning now and haven’t been since mid May. The players are playing complacent baseball and they are only three games over .500. A closer on a team not playing great is a luxury, not a necessity.
2). Melancon, while a fan favorite, isn’t the reason when they win games. He simply is the the hammer that nails down the nail. He can be replaced easily by Feliz in the ninth.
3). His stuff is not as sharp as it had been.
4). He is a f/a in two months and is not worth the 16.7 million qualifying offer. You ain’t backing up the prospect truck for this guy.
5). Melancon is no Chapman, stuff-wise, and no Miller contract-wise. You are not going to get the same return on them. It’s like looking at Kemp v. HArper. Stats are similar, but which one will bring more in trade?
6). NH knows what he’s doing. I heard the same gnashing of teeth when Happ was acquired, when Snider was a traded, when Cervelli was acquired. Dudes that throw 100 are rare, and I’ll take my chances with Searage being able to turn them into impotent pitchers.
7..). Remember how panned the trade was when they acquired Melancon? I suppose that was a bad one as well.
Kemp and Harper have similar stats? Throwing 100 is rare? What year and world did I wake up in
tintin049, believe what you will, harringtin got squat, hard throwers yes but little command…..you better hope searage can work magic on these two
bad trade unless he does
wow pittsburgh got robbed .washington basically got nothing….melancon should have gotten a good prospect at least
the Pirates really got ripped off. they got two guys who throw hard but have little command . the buccos do have searage however so theres hope he can bring them along. but even searage may not be able to get fair value out if the return
cashman got a ton more value for chapman than harrington got for melancon, guess he figured he couldnt resign him in the offseason and took what he could get…… its just hard thinking no one offered more
Actually kind of
And the Pirates said they wanted a Chapman-esque return? Doesn’t look to me like they got it. Not saying they didn’t do well – Felipe Rivero has great stuff – but nowhere remotely close to the return Cashman got on Chapman.
Don’t get me wrong, Chapman is on a different level than Melancon entirely. But I’m just going off of what I’ve been hearing from the Pirates and they did not stick to it.
If the Nats are now done dealing (besides getting a better 3rd OF, which may not even be necessary due to emergence of Trea Turner) job well done by Rizzo. He held on to all the major prospects that will help hold extend the Nats contention window significantly, while boosting the current group’s WS chances. With how bad the bullpen has been recently, I wonder if he is done going after relievers. Also worth noting he has one of the best reliever prospects, who is big league ready (Koda Glover), who might push his way into a late-inning role by the end of the year.
I’m a Nats fan with an inflammatory comment: I think this trade makes good sense for both teams. (That said, I don’t know what the alternative offers for MM were for the Pirates.)
Am I the only one who thinks this is a horrible trade? Neal Huntington is out of his mind, first walker for niese and the Jaso signing, and now this trade, he’s terrible, he needs to be fired
Am I the only one who thinks this is a horrible trade? Neal Huntington is out of his mind, first walker for niese and now this trade, he’s terrible, he needs to be fired
i just knew melancon was not going to make the year in a pirates uniform,but i did expect them to go after a starter not a reliever.With that said and done at least we got something for him instead of just letting him walk away next season.our bullpen will be fine,we just need cutch and kang to start hitting on a regular basis if we are going to get one of the wild card spots.i think we are 2 games out so lets hope they have 2 good months and grab a spot,and from there anything can happen
Terrible move by Nationals. Melancon’s velocity has dropped each year. His salary is high and he will be a FA after the year. Melancon is one of, is not THE, most overrated closer of the past few years. Ever seen him pitch? He gets hit and hit hard. He benefits from the Pirates’ shifting greatly. The Pirates won this trade.
Pirates did the right thing. Malacon was not going to resign with the Bucs and they were not going to give him a qualifying offer. So why not get something for him. If Rivero turns out to be as good as his potential says he can be, then NH looks like genius.
Yep. Like all GMs, the Pirates’ GM has made good and bad trades. But he’s made more good than bad. This will probably make him look pretty smart, again.
Like this trade as a Nationals fan. Have more pitching depth in the farm and were in desperate need of a reliable closer with Papelbon’s struggles.