MLB Trade Rumors 2019: Top 25 assets

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 20: San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) throws a pitch during a MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 20, 2019 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

18 of 25

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 23: Sean Doolittle #63 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on June 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

8. Sean Doolittle

The return on rental closers has dropped significantly since the Chicago Cubs parted with top prospect Gleyber Torres to acquire Aroldis Chapman. Still, the Washington Nationals should be able to find plenty of bidders for All-Star closer Sean Doolittle, who is a free agent at the end of the year. The Nats can pick up a $6.5-million option on Doolittle if they aren’t fully ready to start looking more to the future than their current window.

Doolittle has been the only good thing in the Nationals bullpen the last two seasons. Since coming over from Oakland, he has saved 60 games and has a 2.37 ERA in just over 100 innings while striking out 11 per nine. He has continued to battle minor injuries, but looks healthy for now.

The Nationals closer went unscored-upon for his first eight outings of the year, but has hit a bump in the road of late. Doolittle has a 9.35 ERA since May 16 and has allowed 15 hits and nine earned runs in 8.2 innings in that time frame. Opponents are hitting .366/.409/.610 to boot. If there’s a positive, it is that the right-hander has still struck out 13 with only two walks.

If the Nationals are able to make a small run over the rest of the first half, they’ll probably plan to hold onto Doolittle and exercise their option for 2020. That way they can still attempt to fight for a playoff spot this year and keep Doolittle as a trade chip again next year if things don’t work out.

Home/MLB