2018 bullpen

[Elvir Ovcina]

Here's Kelley's latest.


https://www.facebook.com/SportsCenter/videos/899032146957822/?t=19

He's thrown 2 2/3 innings for Oakland in the two weeks he's been there, and the team's been winning.  He's like this numb-fingered, yelley mascot, sort of like Mr. Met with a normal size head, who sits down there in the bullpen and hangs out with guys who actually pitch important innings.  Maybe he can come back to the Nats next year and drive the bullpen cart twice a week until he has to take 3 months off.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Ovie Special

We're going to Mamma Lucia's in Bethesda for lunch next Sunday...might be able to talk the attendees into hitting that as well...

[varoadking]

Ovie Special

You know it!  I hope they sell those t-shirts...

[Slateman]

While I think we're all disappointed overall with the pen, there's definitely been some silver linings in it this season.

Justin Miller - He's sputtered a bit here in the second half, but overall, Rizzo found some decent talent where there wasn't any before. Miller is the kind of guy we've complained about not being able to find in the past. While he may not be back of the pen material, he's more than capable of matching up against righties in the middle innings.

Matt Grace - A nice surprise. Throws strikes, doesn't give up a ton of homers, despite having some rather meh stuff. Gets ground balls. He seems to have been used a lot in long relief moments, but I'd like to see how he does in some higher leverage and matchup situations.

Tim Collins - Lefties are hitting .192/.276   /.308. Yes, I can live with him being a LOOGY. Particularly on a staff with Matt Grace being able to go more than inning.

Greg Holland - I don't know what St. Louis was doing, but Holland came here, made some sort of adjustment, and he's back to where he was in 2017, if not before.

Wander Suero - Hello there my friend. I was totally wrong about you. While Brandon Kintzler has gone on to post an ERA over 8 since being trade, Wander Suero has had some nice outings.

[dcpatti]

Wander Suero - Hello there my friend. I was totally wrong about you. While Brandon Kintzler has gone on to post an ERA over 8 since being trade, Wander Suero has had some nice outings.

Suero has really refined some of his stuff since he came up. He has some ridiculous movement on that cutter sometimes. He also doesn’t have a lot of injury in his minor league time (an oblique that kept him out a few weeks of this season,  and a missed week in 2014), he’s cheap and this is his first year of service time, so he'll be around a while.  Works for me!

[mitlen]

While I think we're all disappointed overall with the pen, there's definitely been some silver linings in it this season   ......

    Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeriste Slate's goin' "silver linings" on us.

[DPMOmaha]

Tim Collins - Lefties are hitting .192/.276   /.308. Yes, I can live with him being a LOOGY. Particularly on a staff with Matt Grace being able to go more than inning.

Greg Holland - I don't know what St. Louis was doing, but Holland came here, made some sort of adjustment, and he's back to where he was in 2017, if not before.

If this is the real Holland we're seeing, I'd love to see him back next year. I'd like Collins back, too.

[imref]

Madson placed on revocable waivers.  No brainer to trade him for whatever you can get.

[DCFan]

Madson placed on revocable waivers.  No brainer to trade him for whatever you can get.

Every team places a good portion of their roster on waivers every year. 99% of the time nothing comes of it but it's still a regular occurrence.

[blue911]

My understanding is the player can't be on the DL so this would be the first opportunity for Madson since the Murphy and Adams trades.

[Expos]

While I think we're all disappointed overall with the pen, there's definitely been some silver linings in it this season.

Justin Miller - He's sputtered a bit here in the second half, but overall, Rizzo found some decent talent where there wasn't any before. Miller is the kind of guy we've complained about not being able to find in the past. While he may not be back of the pen material, he's more than capable of matching up against righties in the middle innings.

Matt Grace - A nice surprise. Throws strikes, doesn't give up a ton of homers, despite having some rather meh stuff. Gets ground balls. He seems to have been used a lot in long relief moments, but I'd like to see how he does in some higher leverage and matchup situations.

Tim Collins - Lefties are hitting .192/.276   /.308. Yes, I can live with him being a LOOGY. Particularly on a staff with Matt Grace being able to go more than inning.

Greg Holland - I don't know what St. Louis was doing, but Holland came here, made some sort of adjustment, and he's back to where he was in 2017, if not before.

Wander Suero - Hello there my friend. I was totally wrong about you. While Brandon Kintzler has gone on to post an ERA over 8 since being trade, Wander Suero has had some nice outings.

Nice post. Yeah, there are some keepers on that lost but it took way too long to find them and have them all pitch well at the same time. Throw in injuries to so many relievers and there was just no consistency

Also, Kelly, Kintzler and Madson were 3 guys we depended on and all 3 were terrible.

I lost count how many times this pen gave up a lead. Couple that with an injured lineup that was jeckyl and hyde night to night and it's no surprise we are hovering at .500

[JCA-CrystalCity]

If this is the real Holland we're seeing, I'd love to see him back next year. I'd like Collins back, too.

herrera, holland, collins . . . let's trade for Wade Davis while we are at it and sign Ned Yost.

[DPMOmaha]

herrera, holland, collins . . . let's trade for Wade Davis while we are at it and sign Ned Yost.

re-sign Madson, too.

[dcpatti]

From one of the Athletic’s beat writers on twitter

#Nationals’ Ryan Madson claimed on revocable waivers by unknown team, sources tell The Athletic

[bluestreak]

From one of the Athletic’s best writers on twitter

Rumors are Madson claimed by Dodgers

[Jeff in Gaithersburg]

    Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeriste Slate's goin' "silver linings" on us.

We need something, anything positive at this point.

[Jeff in Gaithersburg]

While I think we're all disappointed overall with the pen, there's definitely been some silver linings in it this season.

Justin Miller - He's sputtered a bit here in the second half, but overall, Rizzo found some decent talent where there wasn't any before. Miller is the kind of guy we've complained about not being able to find in the past. While he may not be back of the pen material, he's more than capable of matching up against righties in the middle innings.

Matt Grace - A nice surprise. Throws strikes, doesn't give up a ton of homers, despite having some rather meh stuff. Gets ground balls. He seems to have been used a lot in long relief moments, but I'd like to see how he does in some higher leverage and matchup situations.

Tim Collins - Lefties are hitting .192/.276   /.308. Yes, I can live with him being a LOOGY. Particularly on a staff with Matt Grace being able to go more than inning.

Greg Holland - I don't know what St. Louis was doing, but Holland came here, made some sort of adjustment, and he's back to where he was in 2017, if not before.

Wander Suero - Hello there my friend. I was totally wrong about you. While Brandon Kintzler has gone on to post an ERA over 8 since being trade, Wander Suero has had some nice outings.

Cordero has a lively arm and looks like he has good potential going forward as well. I imagine Rizzo will bring in another "been there, done that in the late innings" vet or 2 over the winter but I like the idea of the pen as a whole getting younger which is the direction many other good teams have gone in.

[imref]

Zuck on Holland:

In 12 games - working from low-leverage situations to Monday's save opportunity - Holland has posted a 0.93 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. He's fanned 11 to three walks in 9 2/3 innings.

[Slateman]

Would love to know what the Nationals did. Apparently the great Mike Maddux couldn't fix Holland, but the Nationals' pitching coach could.

[imref]

Would love to know what the Nationals did. Apparently the great Mike Maddux couldn't fix Holland, but the Nationals' pitching coach could.

http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2018/08/holland-hits-reset-button-gets-a-second-chance.html

Blames his late start mostly. Also said the Nats tweaked a few thing and have him working off his fastball more.

[Mattionals]

http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2018/08/holland-hits-reset-button-gets-a-second-chance.html

Blames his late start mostly. Also said the Nats tweaked a few thing and have him working off his fastball more.

I'm guessing that he re-signs here in the offseason. Doolittle, Holland, Glover, Grace, and Suero should make the team. The last two spots are probably best fit for an open competition between Cordero and Austin Adams and one FA signing (FA signing would be a lock). Herrera on a pillow deal because of his injury could make sense, and there is some merit to holding onto Justin Miller.

[LoveAngelos]

Collins should have made the team out of spring training. Said so then and now But because of contract decisions the Nats lost how many games cause of Solis and Grace????

[varoadking]

Collins should have made the team out of spring training. Said so then and now But because of contract decisions the Nats lost how many games cause of Solis and Grace????

Correct me if I'm wrong, but...I believe you also said that Gott should have made the team out of ST as well...

[aspenbubba]

I'm guessing that he re-signs here in the offseason. Doolittle, Holland, Glover, Grace, and Suero should make the team. The last two spots are probably best fit for an open competition between Cordero and Austin Adams and one FA signing (FA signing would be a lock). Herrera on a pillow deal because of his injury could make sense, and there is some merit to holding onto Justin Miller.

An Absolute no ON Austin Adams

[Slateman]

An Absolute no ON Austin Adams

Why?