Nationals trade rumors: Washington interested in David Robertson, Alex Colome

According to Jim Bowden of ESPN, the Nationals have “touched base” with multiple teams regarding their closers, specifically the White Sox’s David Robertson and Rays’ Alex Colome.

Washington has been searching for ninth-inning help since the end of last season. On top of losing Mark Melancon as a free agent, the Nationals also whiffed on Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen. This isn’t the first time Robertson’s name has come up in connection to the Nationals, either. The White Sox seemingly tried all winter to find a trade partner, but no team was willing to part with the necessary prospects and take on the final two years of Robertson’s deal. He’s making $12 million in 2017 and is due another $13 million in the final year of his contract in 2018.

While the Nationals may be poking around closers, Bowden reports the asking prices on Robertson and Colome remain extremely high. 32-year-old Robertson has allowed just one run through 6.2 innings of work this season to go along with an impressive 12/3 K/BB ratio. Colome, just 28, had an electric 2016 with an 11.3 K/9 and has yet to allow a run through his first nine innings of work in 2017.

Blake Treinen opened the year as the Nationals’ closer but has a 6.43 ERA and was yanked from the ninth inning last week. Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover have been holding down the back end of games for Washington ever since.