The Washington Nationals have announced minor-league deals with right-handed relief pitchers Joe Nathan and Matt Albers.
Albers, 34, pitched in 58 games for the White Sox last year, and posted a 6.31 ERA and 1.675 WHIP. The sinker-ball pitcher saw his MLB career tank last season and is looking to bounce-back. He was linked to the Mets more than a few times last offseason, but luckily nothing ever transpired.
Nathan, 42, pitched just 6.1 innings between the Giants and the Cubs last season after missing the entire 2015 season to rehab from Tommy John Surgery. In 16 years, Nathan has collected 377 saves while posting a 2.87 ERA and 1.122 WHIP.
The future Hall of Famer will likely compete for a chance to close or setup in the back of the Nationals bullpen. I don’t know what Nathan has left in the tank, but this is a far cry from Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen and doesn’t come close to replacing Mark Melancon.
Okay I was only kidding about the Cooperstown reference…. You see, I told you saves were a stupid stat.
