UPDATE (6 p.m. ET): It’s official: Mark Melancon is the newest member of the Washington Nationals.
The #Nats have acquired All-Star RHP Mark Melancon from Pittsburgh in exchange for LHP Felipe Rivero & Minor League LHP Taylor Hearn.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 30, 2016
New #Nats reliever Mark Melancon is expected to join the Nationals for Sunday's game at SFG.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 30, 2016
Welcome to DC, Mark Melancon! pic.twitter.com/CyvMMfXB18
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 30, 2016
ORIGINAL STORY: The Washington Nationals reportedly have made a significant move to upgrade their bullpen.
The Nationals have acquired closer Mark Melancon from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a multi-player trade, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Saturday, citing sources. Washington will send relief pitcher Felipe Rivero and left-handed pitching prospect Taylor Hearn to Pittsburgh in return, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
Melancon has developed into one of Major League Baseball’s top closers over the past few seasons. He saved an MLB-best 51 games in 53 opportunities for the Pirates last season and entered Saturday with 30 saves in 2016 to go along with a 1.51 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP.
That’s good news for the Nationals, who have received inconsistent results from current closer Jonathan Papelbon of late. The former Boston Red Sox right-hander has failed to pitch a full inning in each of his last three outings, allowing a total of seven runs over that span to boost his ERA to 4.41 on the season.
Washington didn’t even use Papelbon on Friday night, relying on two different relievers to record three outs in a save situation in the ninth inning. Now, the club adds an All-Star closer to a bullpen that already is tied for the best ERA in baseball at 3.05.
The Pirates, meanwhile, seem to be getting a pretty good deal themselves.
NL hitter: “2 mos. of Melancon for five yrs of Rivero? What a deal for Pirates. Rivero has all stuff you need.” Rivera, Hearn both hit 100.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2016
NL hitter added: “I feel like the Pirates always make guys like that into really good pitchers. See: Volquez, Liriano.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images
