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Washington Nationals: Jonathan Papelbon On Thin Ice

By Ron Juckett

Jul 26, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) walks off the field during a pitching change in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) walks off the field during a pitching change in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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A series of rough outings has the Washington Nationals wondering if Jonathan Papelbon should remain as closer.

Another rough outing from Jonathan Papelbon has the Washington Nationals and their fans wondering. Is he the guy they can depend on to lock down a World Series?

When they traded for him last year from the Philadelphia Phillies, he came down I-95 to anchor the bullpen and take the team to the next level. Instead, he picked a fight with Bryce Harper and watched the New York Mets win the National League. Although the Nationals’ problems were deeper than the closer – namely Matt Williams‘ managerial skills – Papelbon was not the anchor Washington wanted. In earning seven saves in 22 games, his ERA rose from 1.59 with the Phillies to 3.04 in DC. A fly ball pitcher, he allowed four home runs in 23.2 innings compared to three in 39.2 in Philly.

This year, he spent time on the disabled list, battled control and now has a career-high WHIP of 1.423. His ERA is 4.18, and he has allowed more hits than innings pitched, 34 to 32.1. At age 36, a low-90s fastball continues to lose speed. It is safe to say this six-time All-Star is near the end of the road.

Since the season started, replacing him as closer has been at the back of everyone’s mind. When he went down, Shawn Kelley grabbed the spot. Converting four of five chances during Papelbon’s injury, Kelley allowed five earned runs in 7.2 innings. Papelbon got the job back on his return.

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Back-to-back losses this week at home to the San Diego Padres and on the road against the Cleveland Indians are making the team nervous.

Washington can win the World Series. With Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer leading the rotation and Daniel Murphy destroying the baseball, the Nats are four games in front of the Miami Marlins in the NL East and five games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals for the second Wild Card spot. As long as they can hold off the Marlins and Mets, they will play meaningful baseball in October.

As the trade deadline approaches Monday, will Washington stand pat with Papelbon or make a move? The Marlins snatched Fernando Rodney from the San Diego Padres. The Chicago Cubs handed Adam Warren, among others, to the New York Yankees to rent Aroldis Chapman half a year. New York still may move Andrew Miller. The Kansas City Royals may trade Wade Davis if they get the right offer. If Washington wants to part with a Trea Turner or Lucas Giolito, they can replace Papelbon now and gamble.

Or, they can hope this is a brief slump that will correct itself in time for the playoffs. For Papelbon, his five-year deal for $61 million ends whenever his season does. Chances are he will not be back in Washington next year even if he can dance with a beer box on his head in the World Series parade like he did with the Boston Red Sox in 2007.

Next: Looking Back at Nats' Trade for Papelbon

In passing on Rodney and Chapman, the Nationals are in a no-win situation. Papelbon has to regain his form now or they will move on without him.

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