MLB Trade Rumors: Nationals shopping Drew Storen, Jonathan Papelbon
With the gm meetings underway in Florida, trade rumors are flying about. The Washington Nationals are reportedly shopping a pair of relievers according to reports.
After a season of high expectations and a disappointing finish, the Washington Nationals are expected to make moves this off-season to help turn their underachieving club into a prosperous one.
With the gm meetings underway in Florida, it’s that time of the year where trade winds are swirling and teams could very well begin to move players in deals for the right price. While some have expected the Nationals to take calls on their former No. 1 pick, Stephen Strasburg, the team has yet to receive any calls on him according to Jon Morosi.
Morosi says instead, that Nationals general manager, Mike Rizzo, has said that he has instead received interest in a couple of his relievers, Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon.
Mike Rizzo said no GM has inquired this week on trade availability of Stephen Strasburg -- but he's heard from teams on Papelbon and Storen.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 10, 2015
A couple of things pop off here. One is that the need for quality relievers is so important in this league, and that it makes all the sense in the world for teams to check in with the Nationals on the availability of Storen and Papelbon.
The other, is that it would make sense if the Nationals did decide to move Papelbon after the incident between him and Bryce Harper in the dugout this past season. Rather than trying to figure out how to field a team where both co-exist on it and keeping everyone’s tempers in check, they could instead take the right deal if good enough and move Papelbon to to a team in need of a top closer.
Storen is also another quality relief arm for the Nationals. With Storen set to finally become a free agent in 2017, the time might be now for the Nationals to cash in on him and see what type of package they can get for him. The Nationals are smart and know to compete, they have to have young talent and quality relievers.
The problem with the two quality relievers they have now, is that one could leave after the season and the other could be a problem to team chemistry. It’s a fine line to walk for Mike Rizzo as he tries to better his club and turn them back into World Series contenders.
Also the Stephen Strasburg thing is an interesting to keep an eye out on should the Nationals start getting some inquiries on him. If there is any team to watch this off-season, it is the Washington Nationals.