MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Nationals should make

1. Trade for Addison Reed

David Robertson has been the most talked about name in Washington’s hunt for a closer, though there are several others that have made sense as well. This month, we’ve pointed to closers A.J. Ramos from the Marlins and Raisel Iglesias from the Reds as potential long-term options. A short-term option that would make sense is current Mets closer Addison Reed.

Thanks in large part to a devastating run of injuries, the Mets enter Tuesday 41-49, in fourth place in the NL East and 14 games behind the Nationals in the division. New York is also 10.5 games back in the Wild Card race, which puts the chances the team reaches the postseason at practically zero with two and a half months left to play.

Because the Mets have struggled so much, the team has an opportunity to makeover its roster at the trade deadline, positioning the team for what should be a busy free agency market ahead of the 2018 and 2019 seasons. As part of that makeover, the Mets may try to capitalize on the good performance Reed has given them since joining the club in 2015 – especially since the 28-year right-hander will be a free agent after the season.

Next: MLB Trade Deadline: 30 players most likely to move

In parts of three seasons with the Mets, Reed has posted a 2.04 ERA and 2.36 FIP with 153 strikeouts in 136.2 innings. He began as a seventh inning option during the club’s World Series run in 2015, then worked as the primary setup man for Jeurys Familia in 2016 before stepping into the closer role this year. This season, Reed has a 2.47 ERA and 2.91 FIP with 45 strikeouts in 43.2 innings spread across 42 games. He has finished 26 games and earned 15 saves. Reed has also issued just five walks and 41 hits, giving him a team best 1.053 WHIP.

Get the Mets to throw veteran lefty Jerry Blevins into the deal, and the Nationals would have a bullpen capable of competing with the Dodgers, Cubs and Brewers for the pennant.