Nationals Add Mark Melancon: Is He Still A Closer?

Nationals bolster bullpen: pick up Mark Melancon from Pittsburgh.

When the Cubs gave up half their system for Aroldis Chapman, the Nationals immediately set their sights on Melancon, a free agent to be after this season. Why? He is the only one they could afford without trading Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito, or Trea Turner. And you know what? Melancon is a great plan B.

Here are the full details of the trade:

In Melancon, the Nationals get the major leagues leader in saves since taking over the closer role for Pittsburgh in July of 2013 when the Pirates traded Jason Grilli. This year, Melancon has a 1.51 ERA and 30 saves. There is little doubt that this deal happened because of the struggles of Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon is 2-4 with a 4.41 ERA this year, and just 19 saves.

The loser in this deal is Papelbon. There are owners out there who were still desperate enough to keep rolling him out there because they needed saves. Thankfully, that is over. If you are in a league that counts holds, you can hang on to Papelbon in hopes that moving to the eighth inning will get him back on track. Give him a short leash though. Papelbon clashed with Drew Storen last year. So much so that the Nationals traded Storen in the offseason.

It is pretty clear that Melancon will be the new closer, and he should be. The best part is that the Nationals didn’t have to overpay for him.

Melancon’s value wont change much. He may see a few more save opportunities, but not enough to warrant overpaying for him. You can send out offers to the Melancon owner in your league to see if the Papelbon situation scares them. If so, you may get Melancon at a little under market value.

The other winner here is Tony Watson. Watson has a 2.66 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 23 holds pitching the eighth inning for the Pirates this year. He will get first crack at the closer role, and projects to continue where Melancon left off. As of now, he is only owned in 12% of ESPN leagues. Expect it to be 75% by tomorrow. If you need saves, quit reading and go pick up Watson!