According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Washington Nationals are discussing a trade to acquire closer David Robertson from the Chicago White Sox.
The Nationals inability to acquire a closer, or even a marquee free agent for that matter, has been well documented. Mark Melancon, the closer they acquired at the trade deadline last year, accepted a larger free agent deal from the San Francisco Giants this offseason. Kenley Jansen reportedly accepted less money to stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Greg Holland opted to rebuild his value in hitter-friendly Denver rather than come to the Nationals.
Earlier this offseason, when the Nationals acquired Adam Eaton from the White Sox, they tried to get the White Sox to include Robertson in the deal. The White Sox balked hoping they could acquire more in exchange for Robertson if they moved him in a separate deal.
Over the past three seasons with the Yankees and White Sox, Robertson has saved 110 games. In 190 innings he has struck out 257 batters, pitching to a 3.32 ERA (118 ERA+), 2.92 FIP, 1.116 WHIP and 2.9 WAR.
There are obstacles in place for a second Nationals-White Sox deal taking place this offseason. Rosenthal’s report notes the Nationals are not willing to take on the full amount of Robertson’s remaining $25 million left on his contract ($12M in 2017, $13M in 2018).
If the Nationals are unable to acquire the 31 year-old Robertson, they will enter 2017 with the closers role unsettled. They have Joe Nathan, who the team signed to a minor league deal this offseason, and Shawn Kelley as the top candidates for the role. Even without an addition like Robertson, though, the Nationals bullpen will not be their only achilles heel in 2017.
The Nats have a very weak bench as well as a weak bullpen going into 2017. Dave Cameron of Fangraphs delves deeper into the numbers behind the lacking bench, writing, “In fact, it’s hard to find a legitimate contender with as weak a group of reserves as the Nationals. While most of the focus of late has been on their bullpen and whether they’ll acquire a new closer, the Nationals’ bench is the more glaring weakness.”
When it comes to the National League East, the Nationals seem to be the favorite. However, as their team currently stands, they have two enormous holes in their bench and bullpen. Acquiring David Robertson from the White Sox would give them an above average closer, however the rest of their bullpen is still lacking. Even if they do get him, the Mets could sneak into first place as they have no such obvious weaknesses, taking advantage of the Nationals’ lack of bullpen or bench depth.
