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MLB: Winners and Losers from Aroldis Chapman trade

By Dave Stevenson

Oct 2, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Drew Storen (22) throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals won 8 - 3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

LOSERS: Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals lose out on yet another opportunity to upgrade their bullpen that clearly needs to be upgraded. They haven’t officially lost out on Darren O’Day yet, but it’s certainly not looking good. The Nationals desperately need to get their bullpen fixed. Any trade that takes away a bullpen option is clearly a significant loss for the Nationals at this point. Aroldis Chapman would have been a fantastic add for the Nationals. Who knows? With Dusty Baker as their manager, they might have had what it takes to extend Aroldis Chapman and fix their bullpen long-term.

This also likely complicates trading Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen. The Nationals are open to trading both. It’ll be hard for them to do that if they can’t find another closer to replace them. However, if they play their cards right, they could emerge as winners if they take advantage of the weak free agent market and prey on a team that desperately needs a closer by dumping Papelbon or Storen on them.

The Nationals could trade either one of the duo to a team like the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, or even the San Francisco Giants. It’s hard to imagine them doing that while still finding a way to improve a bullpen that cost them games repeatedly last season.

Next: WINNERS: Baltimore Orioles

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