Washington Nationals: Interest in Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller

In an effort to bolster their team down the stretch, the Washington Nationals are looking to the Bronx to help their bullpen

The Washington Nationals may have the NL Cy Young winner in Stephen Strasburg. They may have the NL MVP in Daniel Murphy. One area they may need help in boosting is the bullpen. If the New York Yankees ever decide to become sellers, the Nationals will be calling for part of No Runs DMC.

The Nationals are trying to acquire bullpen help. As one baseball source put it, “Bullpen help is the top priority before the Deadline.” The Nats have interest in Yankees relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, who are dominating left-handed relievers. The Yanks are likely looking to replenish their farm system, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if they asked for prospects such as Lucas Giolito and Trea Turner.

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Both players make sense for the Yankees. Giolito would give them a top flight starting pitching prospect who could be in their rotation right now. Turner has been playing both shortstop and centerfield. While Didi Gregorious has had an excellent season, maybe they use Turner at second or in the outfield.

For the Nationals, they could add to already a pretty solid pen. They lead the NL in K/9. Their ERA of 3.11 is second. Their BAA is .224 which is fifth. They added to the bullpen in the off-season signing Shawn Kelley, Oliver Perez and Yusmeiro Petit, but the big question is what to make of Jonathan Papelbon at the end of the game. Can he be effective enough to get the Nationals to the pennant? Do they trust him in a big spot against a guy like Anthony Rizzo or Yoenis Cespedes? Probably not.

We’ve seen the Kansas City Royals reach the past two World Series and win one due in large part to their ability to lock down the end of games. Adding Miller or Chapman to their mix would go a long way.

Miller and Chapman may not be all they want from the Yankees though.

The source also said the Nationals could be looking for another bat. Yankees outfielder Carlos Beltran and Reds slugger Jay Bruce have been mentioned as players who could help improve the Nats’ offense short term. They are both free agents after the 2016 season.

That move would have to mean Bryce Harper plays centerfield right? Or does that mean Jayson Werth becomes a platoon player? Werth did hit .321 in June, though he cooled off before the break.  Is that best for the team? Could the Yankees get more if they package Beltran with one of their relievers?

Next: Indians dark horse candidate to trade for Yankees reliever

If the Yankees sell, they have pieces that everyone will want and the Nationals will certainly come calling.  The trade deadline is in 18 days. Tick. Tock.