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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 players Nationals should acquire

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Apr 29, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) reacts to defeating the Detroit Tigers in the tenth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) reacts to defeating the Detroit Tigers in the tenth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) celebrates after closing out the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Reds won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) celebrates after closing out the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Reds won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Raisel Iglesias, CP, Reds

Another name that could be available – and could actually be a long-term answer for the Nationals in the ninth inning (or multiple innings given his workload this season) – is Raisel Iglesias.

The Reds got off to a surprisingly hot start this season and jumped out to a 19-16 record through their first 35 games. Coupled with a slow start for the Cubs, Cincinnati spent a good portion of the first quarter of the season in first place in the NL Central, giving the impression the team could contend for a postseason spot despite being widely viewed as a rebuilding club. A seven-game losing streak in mid-May dropped the Reds into fourth place, but as of Monday, the Reds are 21-23 and only four games back in the division.

Nevertheless, Cincinnati might be willing to part with Iglesias, or other players that have been part of the successful start to the season, because the team really isn’t ready to make a postseason push. Iglesias would cost the Nationals a lot in terms of prospects because he has an affordable contract that runs through 2020 (which pays him $4.214 million this season and between $5.2 million and $5.7 million annually over the next three years), and also because he’s been so good.

In 18 appearances so far, Iglesias has pitched 23.2 innings. He has entered games as early as the fifth inning, has come on in the eighth 10 times and pitched more than one inning six times. He has a 0.76 ERA with 27 strikeouts, and has allowed 13 hits and 10 walks using a mid-to-high 90s heater and a swing-and-miss slider.

Next: MLB Trade Rumors: 5 players Astros should acquire

Still, it doesn’t make sense for rebuilding clubs to hold on to closers when contenders are willing to pay a high price for them. With the closer role being possibly the only thing standing between the Nationals and the first World Series in franchise history, Washington may be willing to go all out to acquire a budding star like the 27-year-old Cuban righty.

The Reds and Indians began a two-city, four-game series Monday in Cincinnati, which may give the team’s general managers an opportunity to discuss an Iglesias-centered deal (and perhaps even a blockbuster that could include someone like Billy Hamilton) face to face.

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