As the Nationals continue their effort to add a quality reliever at the back of the pen, the club is “focused” on striking a deal to add Pirates righty Mark Melancon, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. The Nats have also been tied to hurlers such as Andrew Miller of the Yankees and Wade Davis of the Royals, but the asking prices have been incredibly steep.
That’s not to say that the Bucs will let Melancon go lightly. Jon Heyman of Fan Rag reports that the team would be looking for a deal along the lines of the Aroldis Chapman pact. The Cubs parted with one high-quality prospect in Gleyber Torres as well as a useful major-league arm in Adam Warren and two other nice prospect pieces to add the flamethrowing lefty.
It’s easy to see the analogy between the Cubs-Yankees agreement and what Pittsburgh would like to accomplish. They, too, reportedly hope to receive a useful set-up option in return — giving the team a player to slot in front of Tony Watson and Neftali Feliz while continuing to compete in 2016. And the Bucs obviously would only be motivated to make that kind of exchange if they can get a truly enticing prospect out of the bargain.
Washington was unwilling to go too big on Chapman, who is a more obviously dominant pitcher than is Melancon. Still, it’s hard to argue that Melancon has been any less effective. Quite the contrary, in fact: the 31-year-old owns a sparkling 1.80 ERA over his four years and 260 1/3 innings with Pittsburgh, and while he doesn’t carry an elite strikeout rate (8.3 K/9), he has issued only 1.5 free passes per nine.
Melancon isn’t cheap at a $9.65MM salary, but most of that has already paid down and it’s not the kind of number that should pose problems. Though the Nationals have been said in the past not to be willing to take on salary at the deadline, the team’s payroll is far lower than it was last year and there are always creative solutions.
In terms of a return, the Nats could theoretically offer up some of its youthful, high-upside relief arms, such as Blake Treinen and Felipe Rivero. And the club has a bevy of top prospects. It was reportedly not interested in giving up Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Trea Turner, or Victor Robles in a deal for Chapman, so it stands to reason the same holds true here — though the ongoing struggles of Jonathan Papelbon have perhaps made the Nats’ needs yet more pronounced.
Giolito, at least, isn’t going to be moved in such a trade, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter), and it’s nearly impossible to imagine Turner going in a trade given his role on the current MLB roster. There may be somewhat more flexibility on Lopez, at least in theory; like Giolito, he has received a few major league spot starts (including one tonight), but Joe Ross is expected to return in short order. Righty Erick Fedde is another quality young top-100 prospect that could be discussed — though that’s pure speculation at this point.
Cashman made a great trade last week. Now I think he should be fired. If the Nationals really would be willing to offer Giolito for Miller and Cashman said that’s not enough. Then the Yankees need to find someone who’s actually willing to pull the trigger on great deals.
Giolito has the potential to be an ACE with MANY years of control. And Miller is just a closer on a losing team.
The problem with a swap of a prospect for a player is prospects bust, that’s why you don’t see one for one swaps of top prospects for star players. Teams don’t feel comfortable with how high the bust potential is, and would rather receive a package to have a greater chance of a hit.
Anyways, if the deal was offered, Cashman wouldn’t be the one standing in the way, Hal has shown a reluctance to give up and his pride is getting in the way of what’s best for the team
It’s not Cashman. Ownership has dragged their feet on the sell off with some blurred vision that the Yankees are actually contenders.
There’s been tension between a the front office and ownership for a while now with Cashman et al wanting to rebuild and Steinbrenner wanting to push for contention. Could be Cashman wants to move Miller for Giolito (if that offer has actually been made), but Steinbrenner said no.
No way nationals actually offered giolito. I don’t believe that rumor at all, essentially for the reasons you stated yanks02026. I think you were able to pry Torres from the Cubs because he was far away from helping (high a ball) compared to giolito, who can help right now and has a huge ceiling.
Good article, but I think you meant Tony Watson instead of Justin Wilson.
Tony Watson not Justin Wilson who plays in Detroit.
Yeah I’ve always had their names confused for some reason.
big difference between Chapman and Melancon- no way Melancon gets a QO, so more pressure to get a trade done now.
To be honest, if be shocked if Melancon didn’t get a QO. He’s going to get at least three years on the open market at $9M per year or more in this market. He’d be foolish to accept the QO if he can get that.
IMO if they QO him they would probably work out a 2-4 year deal of some sort at around 10-11M/year
BUT if the Pirates wouldn’t QO Martian i have doubts they would QO Melancon
I’m guessing they already tried to extend him and failed, but if they haven’t they should talk about extending Feliz who ‘should’ be a few million cheaper.
There is no pressure to get a deal done now. They could keep Melancon and try for the 2nd wild card spot and make the playoffs for the 4th straight year. They are in no need to give Melancon away or deal him under pressure. If anything it’s the Nats that need the closer more than the Pirates need prospects.
If he stays in Pittsburgh for the rest of the season, he definitely gets a QO.
The Pirates aren’t giving up on 2016 though. There is no pressure whatsoever to trade Melancon. The Nats need him more than the Pirates need to trade him. And to be honest, I don’t see any reason for the Pirates to make their playoff competition stronger. If I’m Huntington, I don’t move him unless I’m blown away
Melancon just got moved to the Nats moments ago.
O’Day got four years and $31M from the Orioles last offseason. Given Melancon is two years younger, has been just as effective (if not more effective), and inflation, he should beat that contract with ease.
a player traded midseason can’t be offered a QO; otherwise, yes melancon would receive one
IMO: Glover MUST be part of any deal with the Nats. Also one of the young international infielders. These two are mid/low on the Org’s prospects list so that shouldn’t be too big of a deal. Glover is probably a solid relief arm to fill a void that will be left and the infielder is more of a toss in that in 5 years might mean something but still way to far out to say.
the head line of the deal coming back to Pittsburgh should be Ross..
Clearly the Pirates would need to send a little more to the Nats to make it happen though. Like Hanson, not sure if they have a need given Turner but the pirates have plenty of midrange prospects to make it happen IF the Nats are willing to give him up to free up a rotation spot for Giolitto (sp?)