Headlines

  • White Sox Designate Dallas Keuchel For Assignment
  • Russell Martin Announces Retirement
  • Carlos Martinez Receives 80-Game Suspension After Positive PED Test
  • Yankees Sign Matt Carpenter To Major League Contract
  • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings
  • Alex Reyes To Undergo Shoulder Surgery
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Nationals Notes: Closer, Romero, Scherzer

By Steve Adams | March 16, 2017 at 11:08pm CDT

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo was a guest on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM earlier today and discussed his team’s ninth inning option with hosts Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette (audio link via Soundcloud). “We feel that we have a closer in house,” said Rizzo. “We’ve felt that ever since early in the offseason when we didn’t get one of the big three closers. We feel that he’s here. We’ll figure out which one it is. They all have the stuff to do it. You talk about a power bullpen — we’ve got four or five guys that throw 95-plus in the bullpen.” Pressed further on the issue later in the interview, Rizzo conceded that if things aren’t going well during the season, the Nationals will be open to seeking outside alternatives, but the GM did not indicate that he’s looking to acquire a closer in the limited time between now and Opening Day.

David Robertson has been the “proven closer” that is most commonly linked to the Nats in trade rumors, though FanRag’s Jon Heyman reported earlier today that the sides don’t seem to feel the other is all that serious about getting a trade worked out. Per Heyman, the Nationals feel the asking price on Robertson means that the Sox aren’t all that interested in moving him, whereas the Sox feel the Nationals haven’t been very aggressive in pursuing him.

A couple more on last year’s NL East champs…

  • Also from that MLB Network Radio interview, Bowden specifically asked Rizzo about the team’s acquisition of left-hander Enny Romero from the Rays. Bowden noted that Romero caught his attention during the World Baseball Classic when hitting 100 mph with his fastball, and Rizzo explained that Romero has been on the team’s radar for years. The Washington GM revealed that he pushed for the Rays to include Romero in the trade that sent Nate Karns to the Rays in exchange for Felipe Rivero and Jose Lobaton, but the Rays would not part with him.
  • Max Scherzer threw 54 pitches in a minor league game against the Mets today, writes Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post, and he did so with his traditional fastball grip — a grip he’d been unable to use earlier this spring as he worked back from a stress fracture in the knuckle of his right ring finger. Scherzer had previously experimented with a three-fingered grip on his fastball in order to alleviate some pressure on the problematic knuckle, but he was relieved to get back to his traditional pitch arsenal today, Janes notes. The plan for Scherzer is to start a Major League game six days from now, which would give Scherzer time to make three more spring outings. “That’s 70, 85, 100 [pitches],” Scherzer said, suggesting that he’ll have time to ramp up for the season. Janes notes that that schedule wouldn’t line Scherzer up to start on Opening Day but could allow him to make his 2017 debut during the Nationals’ first turn through their rotation.
Share 0 Retweet 4 Send via email0

Chicago White Sox Tampa Bay Rays Washington Nationals David Robertson Enny Romero Max Scherzer

Offseason In Review: Atlanta Braves
Main
Orioles Release Logan Ondrusek
View Comments (23)

Comments

  1. JDGoat

    5 years ago

    The Nationals should just roll with Kelley as their closer. He’s much better than any realistic closer they could find and was one of the best relievers last year anyways

    Reply
    • SuperSinker

      5 years ago

      And he’s a ticking time bomb to get hurt.

      Reply
      • rock139

        5 years ago

        Why not try? His injury at the end of last season was hyped up and it wasn’t as serious as people believe it to be.

        Reply
        • thegreatcerealfamine

          5 years ago

          Are you on the Nats medical staff or did you stay at a Holiday Inn?

        • bjd1207

          5 years ago

          Huh? He had to be held out of back to back games for most of the season and towards the end there were reports that he couldn’t move his arm when he woke up. He couldn’t move it until he came into the stadium and received treatment and they would loosen it up enough for him to throw and then immediately after he would be back in treatment.

          And it’s not just this year. He’s never thrown more than 60 innings in a season, which would put him around 80th among 2016 relievers in IP. Only 2 of the top 10 leaders in saves last year did it in less than 60 IP. I’m definitely up for trying, but you’d be stupid not to have a really good backup plan ready.

      • Rocco

        5 years ago

        Thoughts and prayers.

        Reply
        • jackt

          5 years ago

          Hahahaha

        • thegreatcerealfamine

          5 years ago

          Careful or the snowflakes will have you banned!

  2. allfonats

    5 years ago

    He lost feeling in his fingers. I’m sorry but to me at least that seems pretty serious.

    Reply
  3. hyraxwithaflamethrower

    5 years ago

    Don’t blame the Nats for not being serious on Robertson. The Sox got such a good deal on Eaton that I think they’re overvaluing their players. I wish they’d realize they aren’t getting a Sale-like return for Quintana and that Frazier, Robertson, Abreu, etc. aren’t worth as much as they thought.

    Reply
    • Kayrall

      5 years ago

      Just because they haven’t doesn’t mean that they won’t get a Sale like return for Q.

      Reply
    • comebacktrail28

      5 years ago

      The Nationals aren’t that good it’s just that they play in the worst Division in baseball

      Reply
      • JDGoat

        5 years ago

        They’re pretty good

        Reply
      • forwhomjoshbelltolls

        5 years ago

        I agree. If any of the teams mentioned as likely to make the playoffs won the World Series I wouldn’t be surprised…except the Nationals.

        Lots of good pieces, but there are always holes.

        Reply
      • hojostache

        5 years ago

        The worst Division in baseball?

        Baseball Prospectus has the AL Central as the worst division:

        AL Central
        CLE: 92
        DET: 79
        MIN: 78
        CWS: 76
        KC: 71

        NL East
        WAS: 89
        NYM: 88
        MIA: 77
        ATL: 76
        PHL: 73

        The AL Central has Cleveland and….*crickets*. The NL East at least has WAS and NYM…with a sneaky good ATL team. I don’t expect much from MIA or PHL…but PHL at last has some young arms that could keep it competitive for a bit.

        Reply
    • Steven

      5 years ago

      Why should the Sox settle for anything less than a big haul for Quintana?

      His cheap 4 year contract is affordable for every mlb club, he’s a great teammate and an excellent starting left-handed pitcher

      Just because a trade has not happened yet, does not mean the Sox won’t get a haul for him eventually

      Reply
      • Aaron Sapoznik

        5 years ago

        Yes, the key being 4 years of control. Jose Abreu has 3 and even David Robertson has 2 years left, meaning that the White Sox have time on their side to deal them. It’s the 2017 expiring contracts of Todd Frazier and Melky Cabrera that they need to be more urgent with in moving by the non-waiver trade deadline.

        Reply
        • bradthebluefish

          5 years ago

          True that Aaron. I think with Frazier there aren’t many teams in need of someone at the hot corner, but by mid season there could be a need. Frazier just needs to keep up his game and the White Sox should be able to fetch a good catch from him.

  4. JFree47

    5 years ago

    Koda glover is going to be a boss closer for a very long time for this team

    Reply
  5. Joe Kerr

    5 years ago

    “We feel that he’s here. We’ll figure out which one it is.” Simply put: We wish we had someone better and will hope for the best.

    Reply
  6. slider32

    5 years ago

    To me the most concerning thing for the Nats is the play of Werth and Zimmerman. They both have under achieved for their contracts. Zimmerman has really looked bad. As for the pitching i think they have good starting pitching if healthy and I like Kelly and Glover as possible closers. If they can’t do the job Rizzo will make a move to get someone like Betances at the deadline. Maybe this is the year the Nats go to the world series since nobody is picking them like past years. I like the Dodgers to make it. Both have as good a chance as any top contender, except the Cubs. They look like a dynasty!

    Reply
  7. hojostache

    5 years ago

    I think Harper bounces back and Murphy continues to hit, but it’ll be interesting to see how Weiters does in place of Ramos (w. his career year). Werth and Zimmerman hurt bc you can’t move them and they basically have to play. The SP will be fine (assuming Straus stays healthy) and their BP…no idea. They have a bunch of question marks, which could be solid or could provide a couple dozen blown saves.

    Reply
  8. white_sox9195

    5 years ago

    Cubs wont repeat because of their rotation i know they have the same rotation but they threw to much innings last year

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    White Sox Designate Dallas Keuchel For Assignment

    Russell Martin Announces Retirement

    Carlos Martinez Receives 80-Game Suspension After Positive PED Test

    Yankees Sign Matt Carpenter To Major League Contract

    2022-23 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings

    Alex Reyes To Undergo Shoulder Surgery

    Counsell: Freddy Peralta To Miss “Significant” Time

    Dodgers Extend Blake Treinen

    Brewers To Place Freddy Peralta On Injured List Due To Shoulder Tightness

    Mariners Sign Justin Upton

    Chad Green To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Orioles Promote Adley Rutschman

    Luis Gil To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Carter Kieboom To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Cardinals To Promote Nolan Gorman, Matthew Liberatore; Tyler O’Neill To IL

    Recent

    White Sox Designate Dallas Keuchel For Assignment

    Nationals Designate Aaron Sanchez For Assignment

    Rehab Notes: Adames, Jimenez, Giles

    Diamondbacks Transfer Luke Weaver To 60-Day Injured List, Reinstate Kyle Nelson, Option Tyler Holton

    Angels Place Anthony Rendon On 10-Day Injured List Due To Wrist Inflammation

    Cubs Activate Clint Frazier, Place Michael Hermosillo On The 10-Day Injured List

    Mets Promote Nick Plummer, Option Yoan Lopez

    Twins Place Danny Coulombe On 15-Day IL, Select Juan Minaya

    Russell Martin Announces Retirement

    Dodgers Place Max Muncy On 10-Day IL, Select Kevin Pillar

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Trevor Story Rumors
    • Frankie Montas Rumors
    • Michael Conforto Rumors
    • Arbitration Tracker
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • MLB Player Chats
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version