Improving their bullpen will be the Nationals’ “top priority” as the Aug. 1 trade deadline approaches, a source told Bill Ladson of MLB.com. The Nats aren’t close to acquiring anyone at this time, reports Ladson, who writes that they are hoping the Yankees will put lights-out lefties Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller on the block. Both have been connected in the past to the Nationals, who aren’t content with Jonathan Papelbon serving as their closer. Papelbon has fared well this year, having converted 14 of 16 save chances and posted a 2.91 ERA, 7.06 K/9 and 2.08 BB/9 in 21 2/3 innings, but he’s undoubtedly inferior to both Chapman and Miller. Even without either of those two in the mix, Washington’s bullpen entered Sunday ranked third in both ERA (2.85) and K/BB ratio (3.51).
More pitching notes:
- In unfortunate news for the Reds, their top starter, right-hander Raisel Iglesias, will work out of the bullpen when he returns from a shoulder injury in a few weeks, reports Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link). The door isn’t closed on the 26-year-old rejoining the Reds’ rotation down the line, but he’ll have to show that his shoulder can hold up, per Buchanan. From a financial point of view, Buchanan notes that the likelihood of Iglesias opting out of his $27MM contract when he becomes eligible for arbitration will decrease if he doesn’t go back to starting (Twitter links). Iglesias has 154 days of major league service time under his belt and will soon reach the 172-day mark necessary for a full year, but he’s still a good distance from the three years needed to take a crack at arbitration. The Cuba native has so far made 23 big league appearances (21 starts) and compiled a 4.00 ERA, 9.68 K/9 and 2.55 BB/9 in 123 innings.
- On the bright side for the Reds, righty Anthony DeSclafani is likely to make his 2016 debut during the upcoming week – perhaps Friday – tweets Buchanan. The 26-year-old has been out all season with an oblique issue. He performed well in 2015, his first full big league campaign, totaling 184 2/3 innings of 4.05 ERA/3.67 FIP/3.97 xFIP pitching.
- The Mariners’ Felix Hernandez might not return from the disabled list when he’s eligible on June 12, reports Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune. “Fingers crossed, but he may miss a couple (of more starts). We’ll see,” said manager Scott Servais. The hope when Hernandez landed on the DL with a straight right calf muscle was that he’d only miss two starts, but he still isn’t moving well and hasn’t resumed throwing. King Felix posted a 2.86 ERA, 7.57 K/9 and 3.71 BB/9 in 63 innings prior to going on the shelf.
I don’t know too many people that would list Raisel Iglesias as the Reds top starter. I would definitely put him behind Homer Bailey and probably put him behind DeSclafani as well. Maybe even slot him behind Finnegan too.
Really? Can you honestly look at their stats and say that Iglesias is not their best or 2nd best starter? If so, wow.
Yes I can, but I can also watch them pitch and tell that Bailey is better and DeSclafani is slightly better. Iglesias is pretty on paper, but in person he is no better than a weak #3 or a strong #4. He might eventually be better than that, but the guy has a grand total of 123 innings in the bigs at a 4.00 ERA. He’s been a pretty average pitcher thus far.
I’d love to have that “average” pitcher. The guy misses bats and has had the misfortune of pitching in a notoriously hitter friendly home park. I think it’s a stretch to claim that he’s a #4 in that rotation
Bailey has a higher career e.r.a, he is also hurt so you haven’t watched him pitch in a long time.
Homer’s era over 9 years is 4.19, Raisel’s 4.00. and we don’t know if Homer will come back from Tommy John surgery. I’ll take Raisel over Homer every day
That 4.00 ERA is in 120 career innings, which is a definitive small sample. Of course Bailey might not come back from his injury. However, you don’t KNOW that Iglesias will come back from his shouder injury. Anything can happen, but most likely both will return to form. You take Raisel, I take Bailey and I’d bet that I win 60% of the time.
Okay, so did Bailey and DeSclafani pitch in a different ballpark than Iglesias? Bailey has the experience and DeSclafani is slightly better and more proven in my opinion. It would be a toss up between him and Finnegan for 3/4, also in my opinion. If your opinion differs, that’s fine, but it doesn’t make either of us wrong.
I would love to have him on the Rockies too, but that doesn’t change my opinion of him as an average starting pitcher. Average is not bad. In fact the average starter in MLB is a #3 starter.
12 months is not really that long…unless you are a house fly.
When was the last time you “watched” Bailey pitch? It’s not 2014 anymore
Why exactly are you quoting the word watched? I don’t just look at numbers on a computer screen, I actually do watch games almost every night. 2015 was the last time I watched Bailey pitch. He pitched until May of last year.
Ray Ray, as a Reds fan, you have no clue what you’re talking about
I’m not a Reds fan, but I watch a lot of their games because I live in the local viewing area. Besides it is just one man’s opinion. None of this is dogma, it is all just conjecture that no one on either side can ever prove. But I can assure you that I have a clue.
Rasiel has elite starter potential. It is terribly unfortunate news. Look at his peripheral stats. He is far superior to Deschlafani. Also, Homer Bailey, is a terribly slightly above average starter who was signed based off his potential and his 2 career no hitters. Neither is better than Rasiel.
Reds are just screwing him here. Not only will he be unable to make as much money, but I can’t imagine it will be easy for him to get stretched out again after this, which is a shame because he had Number 2 potential.
who would the nats actually give up for chapman or Miller???
This is the 2nd or 3rd outlet I’ve seen reference the Iglesias situation as “unfortunate news” or something of the like. I get what they are trying to say, but how is it unfortunate news for the Reds? Weren’t the Reds the ones that made the decision?? I mean, I don’t think they had to shake some “Rasiel Iglesias Rehab 8-Ball” and it said he must pitch from the bullpen. If the Reds don’t like the decision, if it makes them sad, if it is “unfortunate,” then just manage his innings some other way
Damn. Iglesias has been taking up space on my bench since April after a pretty good FBB start. Too bad.