5 players the Washington Nationals could trade away

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 24: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after hitting the game winning three-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at Nationals Park on May 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images /

2. RP Sean Doolittle

Among the mess that is Washington’s bullpen right now (a Major League-worst 7.25 ERA), there’s Doolittle (3.68 ERA, nine saves, 10.2 K/9, 2.9 BB/9). But even he has struggled in May, with a 7.27 ERA, one blown save and a .922 opponent’s OPS over eight appearances. But a closer look shows two rough outings against the New York Mets (May 16 and May 22), with six runs allowed over one total inning and 12 batters faced inflating his ERA unnaturally.

Doolittle is shutting down left-handed hitters, as he usually does, this year (.129/.182/.194 slash-line), while right-handed hitters have posted a .958 OPS against him thus far. But for his career he has been very good against right-handed batters (.590 OPS against), so teams in need of a bullpen arm should see him as more than a situational lefty.

Doolittle is making a reasonable $6 million this year, with a $6.5 million club option for next year ($500,000 buyout). So he is a potential rental, but if he pitches well for the team who trades for him that club option will surely be picked up without question.

If/when Washington fails to push into the playoff race, Doolittle stands to be the player garnering the most interest on the trade market.

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