Updated – July 30
The Washington Nationals have acquired closer Mark Melancon from the Pittsburgh Pirates according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Lefthanded reliever Felipe Rivero is heading to the Bucs along with LHP Taylor Hearn, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The Nats stuck to their guns on not wanting to move any of their top prospects.
Melancon will replace the struggling Jonathan Papelbon as the team’s closer. Papelbon has already been informed and understands the situatiion.
Original Report – July 29
According to Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com on Twitter, the Nationals and multiple other teams are in pursuit of Pirates closer Mark Melancon, and that the Mets could also “jump in” to try and acquire the reliever.
Melancon, 31, is in the midst of a very solid season for the Pirates (as per usual), pitching to a 1-1 record, with a 1.51 ERA and 30 saves. The veteran reliever is signed through the end of the year, so his services would most likely be in a rental capacity.
With Jeurys Familia faltering recently, and getting into hot water in most of his other save opportunities, Melancon could be a valuable piece for the Mets bullpen and could spell Familia if the current Mets closer continues sputtering.
Ken Rosenthal explains that the Pirates would want a 7th-inning MLB reliever type as well as prospects in any deal for Melancon.
More to come on this if it gains any more traction…
