While the Nationals still hold the best record in the National League, the team’s bullpen struggles remain a real concern, as Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post writes. Boswell acknowledges the benefit of hindsight but points out that the very trade that brought the Nats a closer last summer (Mark Melancon) cost them a much-needed future piece, as left-hander Felipe Rivero went to the Pirates in that deal. Rivero, 25, has a 0.87 ERA in 20 games for the Bucs this season, while the Washington relief corps has one of baseball’s worst bullpens, in terms of ERA. Manager Dusty Baker acknowledged to Boswell that the bullpen is a problem but suggested that there’s no quick fix at this time. “You’re always pushing for a trade, but ain’t nobody trading right now,” said Baker. “Sometimes you have no choice but to have patience. Nobody is going to drop you down a knockdown closer out of the sky until there’s some teams out of it. We have to look from within right now.”
More from the NL East…
- While Boswell focuses heavily on the need for a closer, Dave Cameron of Fangraphs observes that for the Nationals, it’s not just a matter of finding a closer. A league-average bullpen could get the Nats to the postseason, but that won’t cut it in the playoffs, Cameron notes. Washington is likely in need of at least two quality relief arms this summer, and Cameron posits that the team could look to add multiple pitchers in a single trade. He speculates that the pairing of Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle from the A’s (assuming Doolittle is healthy) or Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson from the White Sox could be plausible fits.
- The Mets are considering a DL stint for shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, but even if he does land on the shelf, top prospect Amed Rosario isn’t a consideration for a callup, writes Mike Puma of the New York Post. Mets assistant GM John Ricco told reporters that while the team is happy with Rosario’s performance in Triple-A, the general thought is that the 21-year-old still needs more time to round out his development. Also of note: Ricco refuted the notion that Cabrera has sustained a torn ligament in his thumb. “The ligament is not affected,” said Ricco. “It’s a joint. We have to see how he feels [Tuesday]. To his credit, he wants to keep fighting.” Cabrera himself, however, told Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News on Sunday that he had torn a ligament in his thumb.
- Ackert also writes that Yoenis Cespedes is close to beginning a running program and could be a week to 10 days from returning to the Mets. Ricco stated that Cespedes will “have to ramp up a couple days” but has been getting at-bats in extended Spring Training already. She also reports that left-hander Steven Matz and right-hander Seth Lugo will both throw bullpen sessions tomorrow and go out on Class-A Advanced rehab assignments on Thursday.
- Marlins right-hander Dan Straily allowed just one hit in tonight’s start against the Astros but exited after five innings. Straily was struck on the right forearm by a line drive off the bat of Evan Gattis that was smoked at 108.3 mph, per Statcast (h/t: MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro). Straily was able to make his scheduled plate appearances the next inning (though he only bunted), and Frisaro tweets that the righty said after the game that he escaped serious injury. Straily said the ball struck more muscle than bone, and while there’s obviously some swelling, he expects to make his next start.
ChiSoxCity
Uh… Madson and Doolittle? Good luck with that.
bastros88
Doolittle is a very quality late bullpen arm, he just can’t stay healthy
outinleftfield
Rosario needs until June 12-14 to round out his development. Why then? Because then he can’t become a Super Two.
Why does it seem that the Mets FO and medical are always caught in lies about issues like Cabrera’s torn ligament?
Priggs89
Robertson and Kahnle have both been pretty fantastic so far this year. I’d imagine that’d be a pretty costly trade for the Nats.
downeysoft42
Especially after what they gave them for eaton
pplama
If the Nats were indeed interested in trading for 2 Sox ‘Pen arms, I believe that Kahnle’s 3 1/2 years of control make him an unlikely pairing with Robertson. Would more likely be Swarzak. Sox would most likely ask for Soto/Baez or Kieboom/Watson, and would be willing to kick in cash.
johnedelux
Robertson and Kahnle would be formidable and probably make the Nats favorites.. That would cost them Robles though. Swarzak with DRob? you’re probably on the money with Soto/Baez and a lottery ticket
therealryan
Kahnle has had a great 14 innings to start this season, but Robles is a lot to ask for a RP who has had a 3.60 FIP and 5.45 BB/9 in 114 IP in AÀ/AAA and 4.23 FIP and 5.50 BB/9 in 129 IP in MLB entering this season. I know I wouldn’t give up that level of prospect on the hope that these 14 innings are real and the previous 233+ between the upper minors and MLB weren’t.
If the Nats were willing to include Robles, they should look to the Rays. I would think they could get Alex Colome if they included Robles. Colome also has 3.5 seasons of control remaining and has a 2.56 ERA and 2.65 FIP in 119+ IP as an MLB reliever.
Priggs89
Except that in this situation, they aren’t asking for Robles for someone who has had a great 14 innings. They’d be asking for Robles for someone who has had a great 14 innings PLUS a closer who has been excellent for 6 of the last 7 years (2.59 ERA and FIP last 7 years)…
Personally, I don’t see the Nats moving Robles with the uncertainty surrounding Harper’s future. If I were Hahn, I wouldn’t be upset about settling on Soto+.
johnedelux
We’re all assuming that nobody makes a move until the deadline. The Mets have to decide right now if they’re throwing in the towel, or should they try to replace Familia. The Orioles lost Britton. Chapman is out for a while. Teams may have to make a decision soon. The Rays can’t trade Colome until they’re out of it. Maybe the Royals can trade Herrera now. What do you think it’ll cost Rizzo at the deadline if these guys have already been traded? He’s better off paying now than a king’s ransom later
tropicaldelivery
Why the mets keep Reyes and granderson in the lineup and their batting below 200 Rosario is tearing up triple a pitching batting 359 4 homeruns and 26 rbi s and they don’t want to bring him up cause be is not ready?
YourDaddy
If this kid is as good as he looks in AAA, then they will want to keep him there until mid-June.
Vedder80
His clock isn’t ready. By waiting, they keep him from becoming a super two player, and, if they wait long enough, they can add an additional season of control.
hojostache
Definitely bc of the super 2 clock, but the Mets should STILL be playing Reyes and Granderson less. TJ can play 3B most of the time and rotate Reyes 1-2 starts a week. Lagares has sucked too, so Grandy is at least doing better than him, but Granderson better get benched once Ces is back on Tues.
lesterdnightfly
Ces’s “running program” consists of not using a cart at Bethpage Black.
vinscully16
Looking forward to seeing Rosario in NY. The Mets could use some positive news.
reflect
So do the Mets not realize that joints consist of ligaments? If the joint is damaged and it’s not the the bone then it’s the ligament because those are the only two things in there.
hojostache
The Mets’ doctors are still calling David Wright’s stenosis….”the neck bone thingie.”