Washington Nationals Score Mark Melancon From Pirates
By Ron Juckett
Fixing a major flaw, the Washington Nationals sent Felipe Rivero and a prospect to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday for Mark Melancon.
The Washington Nationals bolstered their bullpen Saturday, acquiring closer Mark Melancon and cash from the Pittsburgh Pirates. In return, the Nationals send lefty Felipe Rivero and A-ball pitcher Taylor Hearn.
With current closer Jonathan Papelbon slumping in recent days and fellow National League rival the Chicago Cubs grabbing Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees, the Nationals were forced to make a move in their bid for a championship.
As with Chapman, Melancon is a possible rental. One of the better closers in the game at age 31, he is a free agent at the end of the year. With Chapman and Fernando Rodney off the market, (Rodney moved earlier from San Diego to the Miami Marlins) the Nationals had to counter. Reportedly considering an offer of hot prospect Lucas Giolito for Yankees reliever Andrew Miller while pondering a run at Kansas City Royals closer Wade Davis, Washington feels this was their best move.
Melancon has saved 30 games for the 52-49 Pirates. In four years with Pittsburgh, he notched 130 saves with an ERA of 1.80 in 267 games. Not a power pitcher, recording 8.2 K/9 with the Buccos, Melancon posted a WHIP of 0.926 in 260.1 innings overall and a 0.960 mark in 41.2 frames this season.
Papelbon, who came over last July from the Philadelphia Phillies, had his fate sealed earlier this week. Two critical blown saves against the Padres and Cleveland Indians pushed the veteran out of the role. If Washington is to reach their first World Series, they knew he was not their anchor.
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In return, the Pirates get touted prospect Hearn and bullpen left-hander Rivero. In 47 games this year, Rivero is 0-3 with an ERA of 4.53. He is more than a standard “LOOGY” pitcher, tossing 49.2 innings. A strikeout pitcher, he fanned 53 so far this year along with 15 walks. His WHIP of 1.168 is solid. The Pirates hope he can do a decent job keeping the ball in the park as he allowed four homers for Washington this season.
Pittsburgh originally drafted Hearn out of Royse City High School in Royse City, TX in the 22nd round of the 2012 draft. Deciding on college instead, he passed on Pittsburgh along with the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins in later drafts before signing with Washington last year out of San Jacinto Junior College.
Selected as a starter, Washington was using him out of the pen with the A-Ball Hagerstown Suns in the South Atlantic League. Hearn can strike out hitters at a 9.8 K/9 rate but does not fool hitters. With the Suns, he allowed 25 hits in 22.2 innings. In eight games, he started two and has an ERA of 3.18.
On paper this is a better trade for a rental pitcher than what the Cubs gave up for Chapman. Rivero will help Pittsburgh in their pen off the bat while Hearn, nearly 22, can develop as they wish.
In a move designed for October, Washington improved their chances without moving Giolito and their other top piece Trea Turner. For now, the front office must be thrilled.