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MLB trade rumors: 3 Nationals targets for bullpen

By Brad Berreman

Sep 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics

Oakland is in line to be a seller, and they have ample bullpen depth. Their closer committee has left Doolittle behind lately, with Santiago Casilla and Ryan Madson getting the most recent save chances, so the hard-throwing left-hander (10.4 K/9 in 2016, 10 strikeouts in six innings so far this year) is essentially a closer without the role and no clear path to it with the A’s.

The primary issue with Doolittle is health, as left shoulder issues have limited him to 56 appearances over the last two seasons. But he did have 22 saves for Oakland in 2014, with solid career spits against both left-handed (.191/.220/.311 slash-line) and right-handed (.218/.264/.339 slash-line) hitters. Clearly, Doolittle would help the back-end of Washington’s bullpen in whatever role necessary.

Oakland has multiple relievers the Nationals could target, including Casilla, Madson, Ryan Dull or even John Axford (shoulder) once he’s healthy. But Doolittle, while he carries some durability risk, should be atop Washington’s list of East Bay area bullpen options to make a deal for.

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