The non-waiver trade deadline has passed for the 2017 season, and the Nationals final haul was Ryan Madson, Sean Doolittle, Howie Kendrick, and Brandon Kintzler. Count ’em — that is 3 new bullpen arms, and a key bench-starter LF/2B in Howie Kendrick. It is also a lot of All-Star power with these 4 newly acquired players. Kintzler was an All-Star this year, Kendrick and Doolittle were All-Stars in prior seasons, and Madson has 2 World Series rings with 2 different teams.
Brandon Kintzler found out he was traded to the #Nationals while on a safari in San Diego "I was feeding a rhino"
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) July 31, 2017
JUST IN: According to mulitple reports, Washington Nationals acquire RHP Brandon Kintzler from the Minnesota Twins https://t.co/iwAJ8OBcgq pic.twitter.com/vQBXun3uHF
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) July 31, 2017
Kintzler has not been told by Mike Rizzo if he will close says that is an in person conversation.
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) July 31, 2017
Soon enough we will know who the closer will be for the Washington Nationals. Sean Doolittle is a perfect 3-for-3 in saves for the Nationals. Kintzler will fly the 2,600 from his current location in San Diego and meet up with the Nationals in Miami.
The Nationals will have to make another roster move when Kintzler joins the team. That will require a 40-man roster move which could be Jimmy Cordero as well as removing a player from the active roster.
Dusty Baker is currently carrying 8 relievers, and 4 bench players. Rizzo said he liked Kintzler’s addition and that it makes for a “…very versatile bullpen. Very talented bullpen with experience and many guys can get the final out.” And Kintzler is known to induce weak contact with his sinker.
The right-handed Kintzler dominates left-handed batters and held them under Mendoza this year and besides a few poor games this year, he has had an All-Star season overall.
There is a game tonight in rainy Florida, and because the Marlins play in a stadium with a retractable roof the game will go on! Gio Gonzalez is back in his hometown Miami, and the Nationals have their semi-regular July line-up except Anthony Rendon will get a rest day with Adrian Sanchez playing 3rd base. The Marlins will be starting the right-handed José Ureña tonight.
Here's how we're lining up tonight. pic.twitter.com/YYHP2BJqUQ
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 31, 2017
