2018 bullpen

[nfotiu]

He was only traded for international bonus money.

Better than nothing I guess.   Also we gave cash, so definitely not a LAC move.  Or is that movement already defeated.

Treinen gave him props apparently, but they're going to be disappointed in his lack of facial hair.

https://www.mlb.com/news/shawn-kelley-traded-from-nationals-to-as/c-289049212

[Slateman]

So we dumped Kintzler and Kelley and decided that signing a guy who has given up 28 runs in 25 innings while we're attempting to overcome a 7 game deficit in the division?

[imref]

Heyman reporting that deal with Holland is done.

So AAA or the main roster?

[Expos]

Blake Treinen pitched a scoreless ninth inning against the Tigers on Saturday to pick up his 28th save of the season.

Ridiculous. Treinen did allow a hit, but he also struck out two, and the scoreless inning lowers his season ERA to 0.95. The two punchouts also give Treinen 75 on the season in just 57 innings, and he's now 28-for-32 in save chances in 2018. Simply put, Treinen has been sensational, and there's no reason to think that's going to change anytime soon

Rotoworld.com

AJ Cole 2 wins, 0 losses, 1.80 ERA, 25 IP, 1.0 WHIP

Felipe Rivero 4 wins, 2 losses, 3.08 ERA, 25 Saves, 1.2 WHIP

[Truconfidence]

Blake Treinen pitched a scoreless ninth inning against the Tigers on Saturday to pick up his 28th save of the season.

Ridiculous. Treinen did allow a hit, but he also struck out two, and the scoreless inning lowers his season ERA to 0.95. The two punchouts also give Treinen 75 on the season in just 57 innings, and he's now 28-for-32 in save chances in 2018. Simply put, Treinen has been sensational, and there's no reason to think that's going to change anytime soon

Rotoworld.com

AJ Cole 2 wins, 0 losses, 1.80 ERA, 25 IP, 1.0 WHIP

Felipe Rivero 4 wins, 2 losses, 3.08 ERA, 25 Saves, 1.2 WHIP

Trienen working in Oakland isnt that weird. tbat infield is known as slow and its a  huge ballpark. We got Doolittle in the deal and his contract is great for the next 2 years so we didnt get nothing out of the deal. Luzardo is whats gonna hurt more out of that deal because he probably.will be a #1 or #2 starter.

[LoveAngelos]

Trinen can't handle pressure and there is not a whole lot of pressure pitching in front of empty seats on a team with no expectations

[Slateman]

Trinen can't handle pressure and there is not a whole lot of pressure pitching in front of empty seats on a team with no expectations

There's pressure now and he's excelling.

Again, this team seams to struggle with talented pitchers developing control.

[bluestreak]

Trinen can't handle pressure and there is not a whole lot of pressure pitching in front of empty seats on a team with no expectations

Aren’t they in playoff position?

[dcpatti]

We knew Rivero/Vazquez and Treinen were good when we traded them. That both have gotten better with more experience and less pressure should not be any surprise. And you have to give up some quality to get quality.  Most trades aren’t complete robbery.  AJ Cole is the surprise but if he was stubbornly against a bullpen role here and needed to a DFA to get it through his thick skull that he wasn’t going to be a starter, then so be it.

[bluestreak]

We knew Rivero/Vazquez and Treinen were good when we traded them. That both have gotten better with more experience and less pressure should not be any surprise. And you have to give up some quality to get quality.  Most trades aren’t complete robbery.  AJ Cole is the surprise but if he was stubbornly against a bullpen role here and needed to a DFA to get it through his thick skull that he wasn’t going to be a starter, then so be it.

It’s not like Doolittle is dog crap either. I have a feeling that Luzardo is going to be the player Nats fans regret trading away in the end anyway.

[catocony]

Clippard was dead set against going to the bullpen until the Yankees traded him here for a ham sandwich.  After a couple of starts, the Nats put him in the bullpen for good and he became one of the best middle relievers in the game, earning a couple of huge contracts and an All-Star.  I don't think the same will necessarily happen with Cole, but it's pretty common with that type of reliever.

There are basically two types of relievers.  One, guys like Koda Glover who are relievers pretty much from the start of their minors/college career.  Two, guys like Clippard who are, as the old saying goes, failed starters who go to the pen.  This type frequently needs a change of scenery before they get good, since deep down they still believe they should be starting.  Getting traded or waived or outright released is frequently the bucket of cold water they need dumped over their heads to get them to give up on the starter dream and accept life in the bullpen. 

[houston-nat]

Trinen can't handle pressure and there is not a whole lot of pressure pitching in front of empty seats on a team with no expectations

They are in a deadlocked playoff race.

[Slateman]

There are basically two types of relievers.  One, guys like Koda Glover who are relievers pretty much from the start of their minors/college career.  Two, guys like Clippard who are, as the old saying goes, failed starters who go to the pen.  This type frequently needs a change of scenery before they get good, since deep down they still believe they should be starting.  Getting traded or waived or outright released is frequently the bucket of cold water they need dumped over their heads to get them to give up on the starter dream and accept life in the bullpen. 

So, basically, there are two types of relievers: Pitchers who don't start games, and pitchers who pitch for the Rays.

[Elvir Ovcina]

Trinen can't handle pressure and there is not a whole lot of pressure pitching in front of empty seats on a team with no expectations

Checked the standings recently?

[Smithian]

We knew Rivero/Vazquez and Treinen were good when we traded them. That both have gotten better with more experience and less pressure should not be any surprise. And you have to give up some quality to get quality.  Most trades aren’t complete robbery.  AJ Cole is the surprise but if he was stubbornly against a bullpen role here and needed to a DFA to get it through his thick skull that he wasn’t going to be a starter, then so be it.

Exactly.

The pitcher formerly named Felipe Rivera has turned out better than expected, but the Nats needed a closer down the stretch and Melancon did his job. He wasn't the fault we failed in the playoffs. I would do the trade again. It gave the Nats a better shot in October.

Treinen was having a really rough season after having established himself in 2016 as a top notch high leverage reliever. The A's needed to do a salary dump and took a flyer. The trade was worked out top notch for both clubs. The Nats have an All Star closer under team control for two more years, Madson has been up and down but overall solid, and the A's got rid of a load of salary and their flyer worked out. Jesus Lazardo has been a revelation, so good on the A's. The Nats bet right on Alex Meyer, Giolito, Lopez, and many other young pitchers, but Lazardo may be the one who is unexpectedly quality.

The Nationals moved quality players and received All Star quality closers in return. I am happy with both trade and I imagine the Nats would make them again.

[Smithian]

Clippard was dead set against going to the bullpen until the Yankees traded him here for a ham sandwich.  After a couple of starts, the Nats put him in the bullpen for good and he became one of the best middle relievers in the game, earning a couple of huge contracts and an All-Star.  I don't think the same will necessarily happen with Cole, but it's pretty common with that type of reliever.

There are basically two types of relievers.  One, guys like Koda Glover who are relievers pretty much from the start of their minors/college career.  Two, guys like Clippard who are, as the old saying goes, failed starters who go to the pen.  This type frequently needs a change of scenery before they get good, since deep down they still believe they should be starting.  Getting traded or waived or outright released is frequently the bucket of cold water they need dumped over their heads to get them to give up on the starter dream and accept life in the bullpen. 

I remember reading an article about Clippard in the midst of his run here where he was saying he still wanted to be a starter.

[Truconfidence]

Luzardos AA stats are   

[varoadking]

I remember reading an article about Clippard in the midst of his run here where he was saying he still wanted to be a starter.

I don't recall that.  I do remember "The 8th is my inning!"

[Elvir Ovcina]

Luzardos AA stats are   

He's starting in AAA tonight.

[nfotiu]

The A's are at it again.  It's pretty amazing that they are contending when more than half their guys are making around league minimum, and only 3 players are making over 5 million.

[Natsinpwc]

The A's are at it again.  It's pretty amazing that they are contending when more than half their guys are making around league minimum, and only 3 players are making over 5 million.

It helps that the AL has a few good teams this year but most suck.

[imref]

It helps that the AL has a few good teams this year but most suck.

It really has to suck to be an Angels fan.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

We knew Rivero/Vazquez and Treinen were good when we traded them. That both have gotten better with more experience and less pressure should not be any surprise. And you have to give up some quality to get quality.  Most trades aren’t complete robbery.  AJ Cole is the surprise but if he was stubbornly against a bullpen role here and needed to a DFA to get it through his thick skull that he wasn’t going to be a starter, then so be it.

Not to mention Treinen brought us back Doo and Madson.

[Expos]

Not to mention Treinen brought us back Doo and Madson.

In the big picture though what has Doolittle and Madsen done to help us?

Treinen has pitched brilliantly and we traded what looks to be an ace lefty away.

[bluestreak]

Trienen wasn’t going to pitch brilliantly here. He needed a change of scenery. And Doolittle is one of, if not the best closers in baseball. And is under control for two years after this one. Madson has been good but not great. But 4 years of an elite closer is going to cost you something.