Fansided

MLB Trade Rumors: 5 players to get the Washington Nationals back on track

By Joshua Sadlock

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 29: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals congratulated by Bryce Harper #34 after hitting a home run during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 29, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 29: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals congratulated by Bryce Harper #34 after hitting a home run during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 29, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 02: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Great American Ball Park on July 2, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 5-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 02: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Great American Ball Park on July 2, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 5-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Raisel Iglesias

Depending on who you ask, the Nationals have already expressed interest in Reds closer Raisel Iglesias. Jon Heyman of Fancred tweeted that the Nats are indeed interested in Iglesias (and perhaps embattled starter Matt Harvey), but Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post pumped the brakes on that rumor, tweeting that Washington had been engaged on Iglesias only before their trade for Herrera.

Make of that information what you will. This is, after all, baseball’s silly season, and a deal can come together in the blink of an eye.

Iglesias has been on the Nationals radar for several seasons as they hunted for a permanent ninth-inning answer. The Reds, who are in a lengthy rebuild, have held onto him tightly, and for good reason. Iglesias is under team control through 2020 on a very team-friendly deal and has been one of the best young closers in the National League.

Teams aren’t willing to pay up with big prospect packages for rental closers, but they will have to be prepared to do so if they want to pry Iglesias away from the Reds. In four MLB seasons, he has saved 50 games while striking out over 10 per nine. Iglesias is also an intriguing trade chip because he does have a background as a starter. The bullpen is still likely the best place for him, but the potential to start games makes him even more valuable on the trade block.

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