The Nationals’ terrible results from the bullpen have been frustrating fans all season, and it’s begun to take a toll on the clubhouse as well, per Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post. Svrluga quotes unnamed Nationals players that are exasperated by the persistently blown leads, quoting one who states, “We feel like we have to win the game three times.” As has been reported on multiple occasions in the past, Svrluga writes that Nationals ownership vetoed a trade that would have netted the Nats David Robertson from the White Sox this offseason. However, Svrluga now reports that GM Mike Rizzo also had an agreement in place with current Rockies closer Greg Holland, only for the Lerner family to once again step in and nix that deal. (FanRag’s Jon Heyman previously reported that ownership balked at the concept of a vesting player option for Holland, though Svrluga is seemingly the first mention of an actual agreement that fell through.) The bullpen will assuredly be Rizzo’s prime target in trades this summer, though reports suggest that he certainly tried to be proactive in addressing the matter this winter but wasn’t granted the freedom to do so.
More on the NL East division leaders…
- Manager Dusty Baker tells reporters that left-handed reliever Sammy Solis threw a lengthy bullpen session and also pitched a simulated game this week (Twitter link via the Post’s Chelsea Janes). The Nats, though, appear to be taking a cautious route with the 28-year-old, as Baker wouldn’t yet commit to a minor league rehab assignment. Solis tossed 62 1/3 innings of 2.74 ERA ball from 2015-16 with the Nats and averaged better than 10 strikeouts per nine innings last year, but he’s been limited to just 4 1/3 frames in 2017 thanks to inflammation in his left elbow.
- Janes also tweets that top prospect Erick Fedde has been promoted to Triple-A Syracuse. The former first-rounder is viewed as a starter by the Nationals in the long-term but was moved to a bullpen role earlier this year in order to help manage his innings and to allow him to surface as a potential midseason option in relief. Through 56 1/3 innings in Double-A Harrisburg, Fedde posted a 3.04 ERA with 8.6 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and a 50.7 percent ground-ball rate.
- While there’s been speculation that the Nationals could put 2017 first-round pick Seth Romero in the bullpen in an effort to fast-track him to the Majors in 2017, GM Mike Rizzo says the team views Romero as a starter, according to MLB.com’s Jamal Collier. Rizzo has never had a player reach the Majors the same year he was drafted, though he didn’t firmly rule it out as a possibility in Romero’s case. “We’re going to develop him at his own pace and utilize our strong player development system,” the GM told reporters. “And hopefully he’s a guy for us down the road.” Romero was considered a possible top 10 pick but slipped in the draft due to makeup concerns after he was kicked off the University of Houston’s team this season despite being its top pitcher in terms of performance. The Houston Chronicle’s Joseph Duarte has reported that Romero failed a drug test in 2016 (one of multiple recreational drug-related incidents) and was finally dismissed from the team this season after getting into a fight with one of his teammates. Romero had previously been suspended by the Cougars on two separate occasions prior to the physical altercation.
That bullpen is a dumpster fire.
Why are you insulting dumpster fires like that?
Odd approach from the Nats front office – buddy-buddy with Scott Boras, yet reluctant to move on a closer. That clubhouse, too, seems perpetually out of whack. Personalities like Harper and Werth in the mix must create an ever evolving dynamic.
I wonder if Boras has a trade that he wants the Nats to make…
It’s a moderately conspiratorial viewpoint, but there may be some credence to such an idea. Ted Lerner and Boras have a close relationship – who knows? Mike Rizzo might know.
Boras represents Holland.
So, what you’re saying is Holland is in on the conspiracy, too? Classic conspiracy talk! Appreciate the heads-up.
Yea if that dynamic is winning!
Winning?!
The Nats are just like the SF Giants if only instead of winning the World Series every other year they lost the NLDS.
Na was eluding to the fact he made those two out to be losers.
That could be the farthest thing from the Truth!
So we have this year’s excuse from the Washington Whiner’s. The Pen.
A very similar excuse is going to be used by about 28 other teams, too.
They have a point.
^^^this guy^^^
So you’re saying their bullpens good?
The Whiner is who?
Yeah, I mean, they’re only the second worst bullpen in the majors
National ownership putting the financial handcuffs on their GM with a team that needs to win now and before Bryce Harper becomes a FA following next season? Really?
Weren’t the Nats heavily involved in the bidding for two of the premiums FA closers this past offseason, Aroldis Chapman and their own rental acquisition Mark Melancon? What happened to those potential dollars or was their involvement simply a ruse on the Washington fan base?
Seems like a total lie to say ownership is putting handcuffs on rizzo. They outbid the dodgers on jansen. They went hard after chapman. They have 2 startes making over 175 million. They overpayed for eaton. The nats seem to usually get what they want.
Ownership could’ve easily viewed Jansen as an exception because he’s clearly one of the game’s best relievers. Robertson, on the other hand, is relatively expensive and was coming off two mediocre seasons with the Sox, while Holland hadn’t pitched in 18 months and wanted a one-year opt out.
That doesn’t justify the Lerners’ rationale, of course, and I’m of the general belief that ownership shouldn’t override its GM. But many good reporters — and Svrluga is very good — have reported similar stories about the Lerner family overriding the front office.
so, you’re going to make Romero into a closer for this year…..and based on his makeup…he’ll have a fight with Bryce in the dugout…. sounds like good drama
Kenny Powers
Sounds like the Wilpons sticking their noses into the Mets business all the time.
Time for Yanks to deal Clippard to Nats for a low A prospect with some upside! He belongs back in the NL.
Why would the first place Yankees deal Clippard?
Nats will never win it all and in a few years they will be back in the dweller thinking about all the what ifs when they had a good squad
They’ll never get out of the first round.
Perfect team to pawn Fernando Abad off on.. Boston can’t keep all the relievers on the 25 man roster because of him.. Workman and Taylor have options and Ross has been injured, then Carson Smith will be back.. Give the Nationals Abad for anything..
I don’t know what else ownership has to see to be convinced this team needs a PROVEN, EFFECTIVE closer yesterday. The closer du jour is getting hammered every single game lately. Front office/ownership need to stop the hemorrhaging immediately – do what you gotta do!!!
Nats are in a pretty desperate situation, as that team is going nowhere in the playoffs without significant additions to the bullpen.
Every other team knows this and will keep the price for relief help high. Being stingy in the offseason is going to end up being expensive as we approach the deadline.
Stick with Fatt Albers. I need some cheap fantasy saves. Thanks Nationals.
Hahaha I don’t know why I think your comment is so funny, as I created an account just
to reply.
Come on now. Ownership is pretty patient they’ll eventually have a championship. I mean, Ted Lerner’s only going to be 92 years old by this postseason. He can afford to wait.
I have such a bullpen deal for the Nats. The Dodgers will send you Chris Hatcher and a bag of bats and all you will owe is is nothing.
Koda Glover’s confidence is cooked. They need to revamp the bullpen again.
Romero sounds like a real “winner” :p
Why not go for Robertson now???
Run Rizzo, run!! Ownership is the dumpster fire!
I think the Nats should target Corey Knebel. Yes, the Brewers are in 1st, but I still think a deal could be done. It would cost Fedde and another decent prospect but they absolutely have to try to fix their pen.