Pirates trade rumors: Nationals interested in Mark Melancon

UPDATE: The Indians and Giants are also in on Melancon, according to Rosenthal.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

ORIGINAL: The Nationals are talking to the Pirates about Mark Melancon, according to Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal also says that multiple teams are pursuing Melancon.

In 45 games and 41.2 innings pitched, Melancon has a 1.51 ERA and 2.66 FIP. He has finished 39 games and recorded 30 saves.

With Aroldis Chapman now off the market and Andrew Miller still drawing a higher price, Melancon would be an alternative for teams looking to add a reliever. Melancon is signed through the end of the year.

The Nationals have arguably one of the better bullpens in the National League, with a bullpen ERA of 3.07. The bullpen’s K/9 is 9.43 while the BB/9 is 2.92 and HR/9 is 0.83.

Adding Melancon would certainly add more strength to an already strong bullpen and might make the Nationals unstoppable in the late innings.

Currently, there is no word on who the other teams are who are pursuing Melancon.