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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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Sep 8, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland (56) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 4-2. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland (56) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 4-2. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

Sign Greg Holland

Speaking of pitchers who have been there and done that, the Nationals could keep the prospect capital they have left and just spend money.

Greg Holland was huge part of the Kansas City Royals team that fell 90 feet short of a title and then closed for most of their championship year in 2015 until he needed Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2016.

Holland appears to be healthy now and has already thrown in a showcase earlier this off-season and met with teams during the Winter Meetings in hopes of a deal. Now that the big three are off the board, teams may look to Holland as their answer.

The question is what Holland are you getting? Are you getting the Holland from 2015 that averaged 13 K/9 with a 1.44 ERA with a great fastball and slider combo?  Or will it be someone who is a shell of his former self who isn’t as effective as he used to be?

In a year that they are all in can they afford to take that kind of risk on a guy as their closer? Maybe they will role the dice and do this and hope it doesn’t land on snake eyes.

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