Back in June it was reported the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals had "preliminary talks" regarding a trade for closer Aroldis Chapman. The two sides could be inching toward to a deal, according to the latest rumors.
Washington released reliever Jose Valverde earlier this week despite the right-hander performing well at Triple-A Syracuse. The Nationals' bullpen hasn't been bad this season, but it ranks 15th in the MLB with a 3.43 ERA, 21st in opponents' batting average (.252), 23rd with 252 strikeouts and lacks a dominant presence (other than the one provided by closer Drew Storen).
General manager Mike Rizzo said he likes the current cast of relievers, but that doesn't mean they'll be able to get the club through October. Is a trade for Chapman in the works?
"Two Reds officials are watching Nationals' Class A RHP Erick Fedde tonight in Vermont," FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported last night. "Fedde was Nationals' first-round draft pick in 2014, 18th overall. Nats have expressed interest in Reds closer Aroldis Chapman."
Fedde, 22, was drafted out of UNLV and made his debut this season at Low Class A Auburn. In six starts the right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 31 strikeouts (25 innings). This potential addition could help the Reds make up for the loss of prospect pitcher Ben Lively, who was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason for Marlon Byrd.
Such a move makes sense for the Nationals as well because their starting pitching is deep both at the MLB level and in the minors. Although Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister will be hitting free agency in the offseason, the Nats have already been working in prospects Joe Ross and A.J. Cole into the rotation intermittently this year. And let's not forget about top prospect Lucas Giolito, who owns a 2.71 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 86 strikeouts in 13 games (11 starts), totaling 69 2/3 innings at Class A Advanced Potomac this season.
Fedde is ranked as the Nationals' No. 4 prospect, according to Baseball America, which indicates it's more than likely Chapman is the player Rizzo is targeting. On MLB Network Radio earlier this week, Rizzo said "there's no trade I could make that could be as good as the guys we're getting back from the disabled list."
Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Denard Span are on the DL, suggesting Rizzo is not looking to acquire any infielders, outfielders or starting pitching. This leaves an addition to the bullpen, even though Jon Heyman of CBS Sports thinks Storen can hold it down as closer.
"Drew Storen made it 29 saves in 31 tries by striking out the side in Wednesday's win over the Mets. His brilliance this year should mean [the Nationals] don't need to compete for Aroldis Chapman or Craig Kimbrel. His has 14 one-run saves lead the National League."
But would a duo of Storen and Chapman hurt?
