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The Nationals are in a tough spot in the National League East. They currently trail the Braves by 5.5 games (and are currently losing in today’s matchup against them) and have had some real issues in their bullpen. Their team bullpen fWAR of 0.9 on the season currently ranks 22nd in the league. Washington’s beleaguered pen currently sports a 5.99 ERA and walks more that four batters per nine innings pitched. That is...not good.
As a result, the Nationals have been linked to a lot of different relievers leading up to the trade deadline. Not long after they acquire Daniel Hudson earlier today, the Nationals added another reliever.
Roenis Elias is indeed headed to the Nationals, sources confirm to ESPN. That's two moves already for Mike Rizzo to improve a bullpen that needed it.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2019
We don’t yet know the return for the Mariners, however it is hardly a surprise that they moved Elias. Relief arms are in high demand at the trade deadline and Dipoto and the Mariners are willing to move anyone that isn’t nailed to the ground anyways.
As for the Nationals, in Elias they get a reliable weapon out of the bullpen that REALLY needs one although he may not be the game-changer they need given the current deficit they face. In 44 games (47 IP) this season, Elias has posted a 4.40 ERA with 45 strikeouts from the left side.