MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target
Washington Nationals: Raisel Iglesias
This offseason, the Nationals struck out in their attempts to sign all three of the elite closers on the market. Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Mark Melancon all spurned the advances of the Nationals to sign elsewhere with no deferred money. Without an established closer, Dusty Baker was forced to attempt to go the route of a committee, and it has been an unmitigated disaster. The bullpen is the only weakness on this team.
The Nationals have been inquiring about closers since the first month of the season, and it a foregone conclusion at this point that they will be making a trade for a closer. There are several options available for them to consider, but Raisel Iglesias is the one that makes the most sense.
With Bryce Harper hitting free agency after next season, the time is now for the Nationals to go totally all in on winning one of the next two World Series titles. Iglesias is in only his third year in the league and will not be a free agent until 2022. That gives the Nationals the answer they need for the next few seasons.
Iglesias has gradually improved since debuting in 2015 as a starter. Pitching in relief suits him, and it allows him to get by with only his 97-mph fastball and 85-mph slider. It is a nasty combination when thrown for one inning at a time. The Nationals made their own mess by stripping Drew Storen of his job in 2015, but can right the ship by trading for Iglesias this year. It will cost them hefty price, but it has to be done.