Bullpen in 2026: Who's next?

[blue911]

I agree with what they're doing. I'm not necessarily certain its going to work out but you just keep cycling these guys until you find some combination that works. Its much better than Davey just continuously putting a guy out there that we all knew was going to blow the game. They're at least trying to find something as opposed to sitting on their hands. I can appreciate that.

This where modern analytics helps best. Using data to differentiate between a bad couple of outings and just plain not having good enough stuff to begin with.

[Slateman]

Parker compares to Waldichuk.

Not really. Waldichuk has control issues. Parker has command issues. Parker still has potential as a starter, particularly if the staff can refine his splitter and pitch mix

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Not really. Waldichuk has control issues. Parker has command issues. Parker still has potential as a starter, particularly if the staff can refine his splitter and pitch mix

more or less saying that, for this team, both are likely the lefty long men. Let him keep on starting in AAA, sure, but if you need some quick help for the builpen when it is overtaxed, that's a swap you could do. TBH, until Granillo blew up, I thought that was going to be the move.

[tomterp]

more or less saying that, for this team, both are likely the lefty long men. Let him keep on starting in AAA, sure, but if you need some quick help for the builpen when it is overtaxed, that's a swap you could do. TBH, until Granillo blew up, I thought that was going to be the move.

Waldichuk saved by Granillo, for the short term anyway.

[madj55]

None of these guys throw strikes. Watching Schultz in person tonight was agonizing.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Also painful was watching Soriano do his job. Was a Nat. Dealt him for Granillo

[Slateman]

Its also being compounded by none of the starters being able to get into the 6th inning (save Cade doing it once).

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Its also being compounded by none of the starters being able to get into the 6th inning (save Cade doing it once).

tonight was pretty rough. A poorly timed error put Cavalli behind all night.

[Slateman]

tonight was pretty rough. A poorly timed error put Cavalli behind all night.

Yep. Second most errors in baseball.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Yep. Second most errors in baseball.

when you have a staff that gives up free base runners, making them get 4 or more outs is deadly

[welch]

The Nats need Kyle Finnegan in the bullpen. I had to look to Baseball Ref to find the pitchers they got for him. Two guys: Josh Randall (A+) and RJ Sales (A).

[imref]

Maybe they could hold open tryouts for relievers?

[imref]

Talknats points out that our bullpen is a full half run better so far this year than at the same point in 2025.

Major props to Toboni!!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Lucas Sims, Colin Poche, ...

[Slateman]

The Nats need Kyle Finnegan in the bullpen. I had to look to Baseball Ref to find the pitchers they got for him. Two guys: Josh Randall (A+) and RJ Sales (A).

Just need a cool 19 million to have him

[welch]

Spencer Nussbaum in "The Athletic":

Consider two timelines.

The first: On Jan. 30, the Nationals claimed George Soriano off waivers. On Feb. 5, they designated Soriano for assignment to clear space for Ken Waldichuk — and on Feb. 10th, they traded Soriano to the Cardinals for Andre Granillo.

The second: On Monday, Waldichuk allowed three runs, and Granillo replaced him in the eighth. Granillo, against his old team, conceded two more runs and was optioned to Triple-A Rochester later that night. On Tuesday, Soriano entered in the eighth to face the team that got rid of him, retired six straight batters and lifted the Cardinals to a win.

This, believe it or not, is a feature and a bug of the team’s new philosophy.

Transactionally, the Nationals received two relievers with options out of the process — two pitchers who they can move between Rochester and Washington. Washington would rather have two relievers so it has the flexibility and team control to develop rather than one who they would have to designate for assignment if he does not pan out.

This Nationals front office wants to be realistic and wants to win on the margins. The brass made no promises regarding its timeline. The Nationals did not invest in bullpen arms — those tend to be volatile — in hopes of developing flamethrowers internally. This process is why they spent on Mikolas and Zack Littell (they offer length and leadership) and why seven of the eight pitchers in their bullpen have an option.

This process is not about whether they win or lose games in early April. It is about giving Granillo the runway to improve his command, and see if that lets his slider truly blossom; about seeing if the rise on Varland’s heater or the break on PJ Poulin’s sweeper can get big leaguers out; and if they don’t earn their spot in the majors, someone else will cycle in.

If the Nats cycle-in worthless relievers to replace worthless relievers, what is the benefit? To lose games after taking a lead by the 5th?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Spencer Nussbaum in "The Athletic":

If the Nats cycle-in worthless relievers to replace worthless relievers, what is the benefit? To lose games after taking a lead by the 5th?

winning this year at the MLB level  is irrelevant  to the organization this year. They would rather see guys fail 2 out of every 3 games in April than not give them a chance to succeed

[aspenbubba]

Also painful was watching Soriano do his job. Was a Nat. Dealt him for Granillo

When was that ?I couldn't locate it in Transactions

[welch]

When was that ?I couldn't locate it in Transactions

February. They claimed Soriano and dropped him to make room for one of the useless sabateurs. Probably Granillo.

JCA says

winning this year at the MLB level  is irrelevant  to the organization this year. They would rather see guys fail 2 out of every 3 games in April than not give them a chance to succeed

Then why bother playing? Intending to lose 110 games every year? What fans will go to the ballpark if the Nats are going to lose three of every four, lose every series, and get swept by the really good teams? How do position players keep at it if they rally but the bullpen gives up ten runs?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

JCA says

Then why bother playing? Intending to lose 110 games every year? What fans will go to the ballpark if the Nats are going to lose three of every four, lose every series, and get swept by the really good teams? How do position players keep at it if they rally but the bullpen gives up ten runs?

They would say (not me, Nats management) that the goal is to be much better second half of the year  than now with a lot of the talent established by then so that they can go forward well.

You posted the Nusbaum article. Nusbaum says they'd trade a guy with no options for 2 guys who have some stuff and have options. I don't think they thought Soriano was a world beater anymore than these guys. If you look at their comments when they pick guys up, it's never about track record, it's about potential.

Why go to games? Some will stink. I was at Tuesday, and frankly, it was like  pre-pitch clock in terms of pace with all the walks and pitching changes by both teams. Kudos to Soriano for settling things down and allowing his team to rally.

[welch]

- The lineup is not bad

- The starters are OK. Of course, the rotation would be better with Gore, but that's a bet on Fien, and, maybe Fitz-Gerald.

- The bullpen has Beeter, Henry, and Lord. The team needs a near miracle improvement in the second half from the rest. The optionable guys are all in the late 20s, not high potential prospects any longer. All were mediocre in their few good years. Maybe this will work, but I have a few doubts.