The Nationals have activated injured closer Jonathan Papelbon, per a team announcement. In something of a surprise move, the club optioned outfielder Michael Taylor to create roster space.
[Related: Updated Nationals Depth Chart]
While the move isn’t an atypical mid-season transaction, it does carry some added trade deadline implications for the division-leading Nats. For one thing, Papelbon had shown some concerning trends on the year; for another, the organization has not received the production it would like out of the center field position.
Looking first at the pen, Papelbon has continued to get useful results, as he owns a 3.28 ERA on the year. But he hasn’t finished the year with an earned run average over three since way back in 2010, and the underlying numbers suggest a bigger problem. In particular, Papelbon is striking out less than seven per nine on a career-low 9.5% swinging strike rate and is averaging just 90.7 mph on his four-seamer.
Adding a quality reliever seems like a no-brainer for the Nationals regardless of how Papelbon shows upon his return from an intercostal strain. But his performance could help dictate just how desperate the team feels to improve. The pen has been good on the whole, and Shawn Kelley is far from the worst fill-in closer, but a team with World Series aspirations will surely want some more room for error.
Meanwhile, the demotion of Taylor comes as he continues to produce uneven results at the plate. While he was more productive in June after a dreadful start, he hasn’t seen much playing time in the last week and hasn’t been hitting when he has been in the lineup. With Ben Revere showing some signs of life, it seems that Taylor will be tasked with working on his game in a regular role at the Triple-A level.
Adding a reliever for an outfielder leaves the Nats’ roster out of balance, so this could well be a temporary move. Looking at the club’s current depth chart, dropping a reliever would likely mean parting with Matt Belisle — who has been rather effective — or sending struggling young fireballer Felipe Rivero to join Taylor in looking to get on track at Triple-A.
If and when the club dips into its system for another position player, top prospect Trea Turner could conceivably get the call. The middle infielder has now played four games at center for Syracuse, so he could potentially join Revere there while playing a super-utility role of some kind. Super Two status is no longer a concern in Turner’s case, so team need and player development are probably the only real considerations.
It’s worth noting that there are some potential player control issues here, but they don’t involve Turner. Entering the year, Taylor had 1.037 days of service, and he has picked up another 90 days thus far in 2016. That leaves him 45 days shy of reaching a second full season of service, so an extended stay in the minors could well leave the club with an added season of future control.
They couldn’t get anything for Taylor? Seriously? That’s hard for me to believe.
He’s been pretty terrible in his career. -0.9 career WAR…
Not really. He has a fWAR of 1 and of of his -.8 career rWAR, -.7 of it is from this year yet 2016 constitutes one-third of his career games which leads one to believe that he’s been replaceable but not terrible for most of his career. He also hit 310 last month so he’s been quite bad just two of the three months. He’s just barely 25 so with a good ’13 and ’14 he still has some value.
they optioned him, they can only lose him if they designate him for assignment
His .225/.266/.372 line doesnt exactly scream worth trading for. His 2015 and 2014 lines werent pretty either. Also, 30%+ k rate is alarming
But he is not out of options and qualify as the good ole change of scenery candidate. He was never consistent, but he had spurts that I could at least see him a 4th OF with starting potential if he puts it altogether.
Hitters Hit no matter what the scene looks like. Still have to put bat on ball
He’s going to see some AAA scenery and see if he can put things together. No reason for the Nationals to sell so low on him.
He got jumped from AA because of Span injury last year when he could have used some more seasoning in the minors. This year, because of injury to Revere to start the season he was the full time cf. Had a lot of struggles to start the season but then started putting things together in June. And then the LA game happenned…..and he has rarely played since. He has legit talent but needs to figure out right handed pitching. An elite defender. Despite his struggles his line vs lefties this season is .262..297/.508. That is an .805 OPS. and a player who should be in the lineup vs LHP. He will be back up to the big club in August and will be on the playoff roster. Ben Revere can’t hit either and Taylor has a superior glove and has power. The idea of Trea Turner filling in at cf is laughable. Not going to learn the position at the major leauge level. This is a move designed to get Taylor’s confidence back.
Prospect folks think Turner can play center. They have him there at Triple-A, so I don’t think it’s at all laughable to think he could see time there in the majors.
OK maybe its not laughable…but how about a bit of a stretch? Experience of 4 games in AAA at cf and people who “think” Turner can play cf does not mean he is ready. And then there is the Dusty Baker factor. Can’t seem him playing Turner in cf. Turner is a great offensive prospect but there have been questions about his glove at ss.. Turner in cf will be a disaster for the Nats. in my opinion. Time will tell.
Ian Desmond seems to be basking in the glory in CF everyday for the Rangers and he had only a few games of MiLB experience prior to the full time move… These guys are professional athletes, and Turner is an exceptional athlete at that.
Well smaller, athletic, really fast middle infielders that get log-jammed and forced to play outfield never seems to work (laughable.) just ask Mookie Betts and Billy Hamilton. … waittt??
Papelbon has got to be worried about his next contract. With the amount of care and feeding he’s always needed in the clubhouse, he had to back it up with performance on the field–and generally he has. Declining physical skills won’t help.
I’m sure he’s thought about his next contract, but I’m not sure how worried about it he is. He’s been effective this year, and has fit in well with the culture of the team. His teammates seem to love him. All ball players get a little slower as they age. Every ball player has to come to terms with it. He’s no different.
I’m sure Harper and he are best buds
The bull pen has been stellar this year. Lack of clutch hitting is the most pressing need for the Nationals.