Washington Nationals: 3 best current contracts, ranked

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals delivers a pitch in the first inning during the spring training game against the Houston Astros at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

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Sean Doolittle, the closer of the Washington Nationals, is on a team friendly contract.

(Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

2. Sean Doolittle 7 years, $22.5M

Sean Doolittle was a member of the Oakland A’s when he signed this team friendly contract. The Washington Nationals acquired him along with Ryan Madson in a trade that netted the A’s Jesus Luzardo, Sheldon Neuse and Blake Treinen.

Doolittle stepped right into the closer role for the Nationals in 2017 and has been the one to slam the door ever since. In three years with the team, he has converted 75 saves with a 2.87 earned run average. Doolittle was an All-Star in his second season with the team.

An injury late in the year last year slowed him a little and when he returned in the postseason he was sharing save opportunities with newly acquired Daniel Hudson. In three games in the World Series, Doolittle did not give up a run and earned one save.

Doolittle is scheduled to make $6.5M this year which is a good value for a closer. He had four less saves than Kenley Jansen last year and was paid $13M less. Doolittle is in the last year of his contract and will test his stock in the free agent market. The Nats may be inclined to let him walk, but surely got their money’s worth out of his original deal.

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