2018 bullpen

[catocony]

Nyjer Morgan had the most critical position on the Nats that season.  He controlled the silver Elvis.

[bluestreak]

Nats are citing disrespect for dropping Kelley. Why didn’t they drop Nyjer Morgan when he threw the glove   I’m calling BS. Unfortunately our beat reporters are not reporting the facts if they actually know them. And I have been calling since last season to drop Kelley due to his penchant for giving up HR’s.

Hell, by this logic, why wasn’t Papelbon DFA’d for choking Harper?

[varoadking]

Hell, by this logic, why wasn’t Papelbon DFA’d for choking Harper?

He was suspended for the last 7 or 8 games of the season...and Rizzo was too invested with no back-up plan to just cut him loose with a year left on his deal...

They DFA'd The Big Intern instead...

[welch]

He was suspended for the last 7 or 8 games of the season...and Rizzo was too invested with no back-up plan to just cut him loose with a year left on his deal...

They DFA'd The Big Intern instead...

And dumped Papelbon in 2016 with, best I remember that far back, no one lined up to replace him.

[varoadking]

And dumped Papelbon in 2016 with, best I remember that far back, no one lined up to replace him.

They brought in Melancon...

[Jeff in Gaithersburg]

Why didn't we trade Ryan Madsen? Dude is done.

Because he didn't squeal to reporters about the clubhouse or slam his glove on the mound. 

[Smithian]

Matt Grace is having a hell of a season.

[Bloo]

AJ Cole currently having a career season with the Yankees. Just a reminder that we had 2 chances to use him as a relief pitcher and we blew it twice.

[aspenbubba]

AJ Cole currently having a career season with the Yankees. Just a reminder that we had 2 chances to use him as a relief pitcher and we blew it twice.

I advocated that last season more than once.

[Slateman]

I advocated that last season more than once.

Other did too. Rizzo needs to look at why our pitchers struggle to develop into decent relievers

[bluestreak]

Nationals in talks with Greg Holland

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2018/08/05/nationals-in-discussions-with-veteran-reliever-greg-holland/

[JCA-CrystalCity]

AJ Cole currently having a career season with the Yankees. Just a reminder that we had 2 chances to use him as a relief pitcher and we blew it twice.

Other did too. Rizzo needs to look at why our pitchers struggle to develop into decent relievers

Bloo - sad to say, but Cole put up a ton of resistance to pitching in relief when he was in the Nats organization.  they wanted to convert him 2 years ago and he refused. I don't think that is much of a state secret.  He's definitely a case of a guy who needed to get a "no one wants you" message to come around to relieving.  That said, he seems to be a decent guy (has eaten at CCSP so staff knows him and customers have observed him). 

[Natsinpwc]

Bloo - sad to say, but Cole put up a ton of resistance to pitching in relief when he was in the Nats organization.  they wanted to convert him 2 years ago and he refused. I don't think that is much of a state secret.  He's definitely a case of a guy who needed to get a "no one wants you" message to come around to relieving.  That said, he seems to be a decent guy (has eaten at CCSP so staff knows him and customers have observed him).

Met his parents once at a game down in Myrtle beach--they seem like nice folks.

[Natsinpwc]

Nationals in talks with Greg Holland

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2018/08/05/nationals-in-discussions-with-veteran-reliever-greg-holland/

Wonder why?  He was just terrible this year.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollagr01.shtml

[Slateman]

Bloo - sad to say, but Cole put up a ton of resistance to pitching in relief when he was in the Nats organization.  they wanted to convert him 2 years ago and he refused. I don't think that is much of a state secret.  He's definitely a case of a guy who needed to get a "no one wants you" message to come around to relieving.  That said, he seems to be a decent guy (has eaten at CCSP so staff knows him and customers have observed him). 

Again, a failure of the organization. How many other teams convert their starters and end up with positive results?

Nationals in talks with Greg Holland

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2018/08/05/nationals-in-discussions-with-veteran-reliever-greg-holland/

Wonder why?  He was just terrible this year.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollagr01.shtml

I'm guessing that it's because last year he was really good, iin Colorado no less. So, maybe they're hoping that they can find some glitch in his mechanics and recapture his proven abilities.

And I gotta imagine some of this stems from not having any clue when Doolittle will be back.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Holland is a Boras guy, so there's that.

It's the prorated league minimum, so why not see if he can get back to the top form he showed just last year?  At least we didn't give him the 14 mill and lose a draft pick like the Cards did.  Many Nats fans wanted Holland.

[Smithian]

Again, a failure of the organization. How many other teams convert their starters and end up with positive results?

So have the Nats?

Under Rizzo, they have moved a bunch of guys to relief with solid success. Stammen, Clippard, Solis, Treinen, and Grace. Sure there are more I am forgetting.

[imref]

Kelley to the As for international slot money

[DPMOmaha]

I'm good with that.

[Slateman]

So have the Nats?

Under Rizzo, they have moved a bunch of guys to relief with solid success. Stammen, Clippard, Solis, Treinen, and Grace. Sure there are more I am forgetting.

Solis and Treinen are not successes. Treinen points out another failure by this organization. So Stammen, Clippard, and Grace

Meanwhile, Treinen and Vazquez left here and became all stars. Peacock and Cole have become good relievers. 

Organization needs to evaluate how it develops pitchers

[Slateman]

Holland is a Boras guy, so there's that.

It's the prorated league minimum, so why not see if he can get back to the top form he showed just last year?  At least we didn't give him the 14 mill and lose a draft pick like the Cards did.  Many Nats fans wanted Holland.

Because he hasn't shown any inkling of that form this year and we're allegedly in the middle of a pennant race? Unless it's a minor league deal, there's no point to this. Bring up Glover.

[nfotiu]

Did Kelley getting traded to A's get mentioned anywhere?  Maybe FC or PTBNL will be awesome for us!  Knowing how the A's roll, I guess he won't give up a run the rest of the year. 

[Expos]

Holland is a Boras guy, so there's that.

It's the prorated league minimum, so why not see if he can get back to the top form he showed just last year?  At least we didn't give him the 14 mill and lose a draft pick like the Cards did.  Many Nats fans wanted Holland.

What's it going to hurt?  The dude had 166 saves in 4 years before this season started and was one of the most dominant strikeout pitchers in the league and was a big reason KC won a Championship.

[bluestreak]

Did Kelley getting traded to A's get mentioned anywhere?  Maybe FC or PTBNL will be awesome for us!  Knowing how the A's roll, I guess he won't give up a run the rest of the year.

He was only traded for international bonus money.

[bluestreak]

Heyman reporting that deal with Holland is done.