MLB Free Agency 2017: 5 potential landing spots for Wade Davis

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 18: Wade Davis #71 of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 7: Sean Doolittle #62 of the Washington Nationals reacts after the last out to win Game 2 of the National League Division Series 6-3 against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on Saturday, October 7, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

4. Washington Nationals

Maybe there will be a day in the future where the Washington Nationals aren’t looking for a closer in the offseason or at the trade deadline. I’ll believe it when I see it. The ninth inning has been in a state of constant flux since the disastrous decision to trade for Jonathan Papelbon in 2015.

The bullpen was a disaster for the Nationals for most of the first half last season, but Mike Rizzo and the front office fixed by pulling off trades for Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson and Brandon Kintzler. Doolittle saved 21 games after coming over from Oakland and pitched three scoreless innings in the NLDS loss.

Doolittle was an All-Star for the A’s in 2014, but missed most of 2015 and 2016 while dealing with injuries. The Nationals have him under contract for three more seasons, but may want to consider moving him down to the eighth inning, especially if they can bring in Wade Davis with a big offer. With Davis in the ninth, Doolittle in the eighth and Madson in the seventh and Matt Albers brought back on a short-term deal, the Nationals would have an unbeatable bullpen.

The regular season doesn’t matter much for the Nationals in 2018. It’s all about finally getting past the NLDS for the first time. A closer like Davis is absolutely a luxury for a team like the Nationals, but they have nothing to show for spending close to a billion dollars on the roster the past five years. The upcoming season is the last one with Bryce Harper, and the Nationals need to go as all-in as financially possible.

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