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Washington Nationals: Five Options at Closer

By Jason Evans

Sep 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo addresses the media after the game between the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo addresses the media after the game between the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo during the MLB general managers meeting at the Omni Scottsdale Resort. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo during the MLB general managers meeting at the Omni Scottsdale Resort. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The three big closing fish have all been scooped up. The Washington Nationals didn’t land any of them. Where do they go from here?

Yesterday, the final closer domino fell when Kenley Jansen re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for five years and $80 million. Aroldis Chapman went to the New York Yankees and the Nats lost Mark Melancon to the San Francisco Giants.

The Achilles heel for the Nationals has been finishing off games. Drew Storen had issues. Jonathan Papelbon had anger issues. Melancon just wasn’t re-signed, though it wasn’t for a lack of trying on the Nationals part.

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The Nationals can’t let another season go by the wayside because they can’t finish off the games. After paying a king’s ransom for Adam Eaton and never having won a playoff series in franchise history, the time is now.. The window is closing and this is a question that needs an answer.

So where do you go from here? Where can the Nationals go to find someone who can get outs 25-27 in a tight game? They can go free agent market. They can go trade market. Or, they could open it up to a competition in spring training and maybe go with a youngster. Toronto had Roberto Osuna and he evolved into the role so it’s not totally out of  the question for a team, especially one who believes they are contender.

Let’s break this down and take a look at five options for the Washington Nationals at the closer position in 2016.

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