Not often is an opportunity presented to add an impact arm a day after the trade deadline, but from a division rival, it’s even more tantalizing.
Mike Rizzo announced that the Nationals designated Shawn Kelley for assignment after he slammed his glove in frustration during last nights 25-4 (LOL Mets) win. Rizzo went as far as to call Kelley “disrespectful” and “selfish”. Keep in mind, this is a club who employed Jonathan Papelbon and currently employs Bryce Harper. Regardless, I think this is an overreaction by a desperate club, and a golden opportunity for Alex Anthopoulos to strengthen the roster without giving any prospects away.
Let’s look at Shawn Kelley by the numbers:
2018: 3.34 ERA, 32 K in 32.1 IP, 0.96 WHIP
Last 16 IP: 1.13 ERA , 17 K in 16 IP, 1 BB.
Now, let’s look at the numbers of some current Atlanta relievers in 2018:
Sam Freeman: 2-5, 5.45 ERA in 39.2 IP, 1.51 WHIP
Peter Moylan: 0-1, 4.45 ERA in 28.1 IP, 1.76 WHIP
Now, I’m not a general manager but cutting one of these guys and signing Kelley seems like a good baseball decision. Slamming a glove is something that most baseball players do at least once in their life, and a solid bullpen option has been served to the open market on a silver platter. With the departure of Evan Phillips (who Snitker refused to use anyways), this is an easy way to improve the club. Pick up the phone, Alex.