The Washington Nationals are in a bit of a bind. Not only does their current bullpen look mighty shaky right now, they don’t really seem to have the means to fix it. Because of the the Lerner’s self-imposed cap, Mike Rizzo was unable to bring in the big fish at closer (he whiffed on Mark Melancon, Kenley Jansen, and Aroldis Chapman). And since the Nats forked over a big-time prospect haul for centerfielder Adam Eaton in December, there aren’t really enough prospects left in the system to go out and trade for a reliever who really moves the needle.
Quality secondary options, like Brad Ziegler (two-year deal worth $16 million to Miami) and Tyler Thornburg (traded to Boston for borderline starter Travis Shaw) are now gone. Even wild cards have been scooped up (such as Greg Holland to Colorado).
These are the top free agent relief options left on the market (ages are at start of the 2017 season).
Matt Belisle | RHP | 36 years old
2016: 46 IP | 6.26 K/9 | 1.76 ERA
Belisle is not a sexy name. He was a bit piece in the Nats’ pen last year, but still pitched effectively when given the opportunity. He is not a strikeout guy, and at age 36, that isn’t changing. But he keeps the walks down (1.37 BB/9 last season), and he has proven to be a solid run preventer the last two seasons.
He may not move the needle a whole lot, but he gives the Nationals another decent option to soak up innings. No harm in that, and you can guarantee Dusty Baker will find the best way to use him late in games.
Joe Blanton | RHP | 36 years old
2016: 80 IP | 9.00 K/9 | 2.48 ERA
After an awful career as a starter, Blanton has seen new life as a reliever. His run prevention has massively improved, he has limited the walks, and his strikeouts have jumped. Also, as a former starter, he can go multiple innings at a time. Believe it or not, he might be out of the Nationals’ price range, but he would fit seamlessly into Washington’s current crop of relievers.
Jerry Blevins | LHP | 33 years old
2016: 42 IP | 11.14 K/9 | 2.79 ERA
Blevins had a messy stint with Washington in 2014 (4.87 ERA), but his FIP was over two runs lower and he still struck over 10 batters per nine innings that year. After missing most of 2015 with injury, Blevins proved to be one of the more reliable relievers in the Mets bullpen last season. He brought his ERA down to previous levels, and posted a career-best K/9 rate. Blevins also gives the Nats another left-handed option to go along with the oft-injured Sammy Solis and the oft-destroyed Oliver Perez.
Boone Logan | LHP | 32 years old
2016: 46.1 IP | 11.07 K/9 | 3.69 ERA
After some nice seasons with New York between 2010-13, Logan joined the Rockies on a three-year contract. He was atrocious in 2014, but he bounced back over the next two seasons, and posted a 3.69 ERA with a 3.23 FIP in 2016 (strangely, he was much better at Coors Field last year than on the road). All the while though, he has managed to rack up strikeouts. In fact, he has posted 11 strikeouts per nine innings each season since 2012. Blevins is another lefty option for the Nats to consider.
Sergio Romo | RHP | 34 years old
2016: 30.2 IP | 9.68 K/9 | 2.64 ERA
Romo seems like a no-brainer option for the Nationals (if they can afford any additional payroll). He should be fairly cheap, and he has posted a 2.70 ERA with a 10.3 K/9 and a 1.70 BB/9 since 2010. Romo has only really been out-of-line with those numbers one season (2014), and he has experience in both a closer and a set-up role.
Travis Wood | LHP | 30 years old
2016: 61 IP | 6.93 K/9 | 2.95 ERA
As a former starter, Wood also brings the ability to go multiple innings. But last season, his strikeout rate dropped off the table, his walks remained high, and his 2.95 ERA was not backed up by his 4.54 FIP. He would at least bring some depth from the left side, but it might not be quality depth. Even though he is the youngest pitcher on this list, he Wood might be the biggest liability.
If I were to rank these options for the Nats, I’d go: Romo, Blanton, Blevins, Belisle, Logan, and Wood. Regardless of who they are thinking about signing though, it is clear the Nationals need someone. Shawn Kelley is a fine pitcher, but he cannot be the best reliever on team striving for a championship.