Buy or Sell? Early MLB Hot Takes in 2017
By Anthony Sosa
Hot Take No. 2 – Blake Treinen Finishes the Season as the Nationals’ Closer
The Washington Nationals entered the 2017 season without a solidified closer. Last season’s closer Mark Melancon left via free agency in the offseason. They didn’t sign or trade for a closer in the offseason. Instead, they stuck with reliever Blake Treinen.
So far the Nationals have played close ballgames. Each one decided by two runs or fewer. Each game resulted in a save opportunity for Treinen. He converted three of his four save attempts.
Treinen’s first save attempt against the Marlins went one, two, three, but his three other attempts weren’t easy on him. Although he converted his second save attempt of the season, he allowed a run to score. In his third attempt, he blew his first save of the season.
In his most recent attempt on Friday, Treinen converted the save but allowed a two-run home run to Freddy Galvis before retiring three out of the next four batters.
The 28-year-old is a short-term solution in the closer’s role. He doesn’t look extremely comfortable in the role yet, but that could change.
He won’t finish the season as the Nationals’ closer. Whether the Nationals swap reliever Koda Glover into the role or they trade for an established closer, Treinen won’t man down the ninth inning for Washington come September.