Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
3. Washington Nationals
The Nationals have already watched Matt Thornton, Casey Janssen and Doug Fister leave their bullpen via free agency, and could see one or both of Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen leave via trade as well in the coming weeks or months. Bryce Harper has reportedly made amends with Papelbon after the two had a late-season scuffle in the dugout, but it took less than half a season for the seven-time All-Star to establish himself as a clubhouse cancer in Washington. Storen, meanwhile, saw his great season as the closer come to a sudden stop after he was replaced by Papelbon, as the Stanford product was unable to adjust to an undefined role.
With so many arms potentially gone, it could be a completely revamped Nationals bullpen next season, and what better place for Mike Rizzo to start rebuilding his relief corps than Chapman? Washington was connected to Chapman for most of the first half of the 2015 season, and they also were connected to Craig Kimbrel, so “thinking big” isn’t beyond the Nationals. They have the prospects to get a deal done, and certainly have a need.
Next: No. 2: Houston Astros