What if the Nats never traded for Jonathan Papelbon?

What if the Nats never traded for Jonathan Papelbon?
Last week, we opened our "What If?" series wondering what might have been had Jordan Zimmermann accepted the Nationals' long-term extension offer after the 2014 season, a decision that had long-lasting ramifications on the organization. This week, we look at a big decision the organization made the following summer that absolutely had immediate consequences for the club, and probably had long-lasting ones as well: The trade for Jonathan Papelbon. Prepare to cringe. As the 2015 trade deadline...

Hall of Fame ballot loaded with big names and controversy

Hall of Fame ballot loaded with big names and controversy
If you glanced at the 2022 Hall of Fame ballot that was released Monday hoping to find some prominent Nationals representation, you were sorely disappointed. Sure, Jonathan Papelbon made the list, but you probably aren't going to find too many Nats fans excited to relive those regrettable 12 months in club history. You'll just have to wait another year, because among the players eligible to make the 2023 ballot is none other than Jayson Werth. We'll have some fun with that one when the time...

All the ballplayers whose careers ended in D.C.

All the ballplayers whose careers ended in D.C.
A total of 370 players have appeared in at least one game for the Nationals since 2005. Some of them were longtime stalwarts who are forever associated fondly with this franchise. Some were only here for a year or two as part of successful careers with multiple clubs. And some of them played for a while in Washington and then never played in the big leagues again. Actually, more than some of them fit that last description. Would you believe at least 127 of the 370 players in Nationals history...

A brief history of the Nats' ever-changing closer identity

A brief history of the Nats' ever-changing closer identity
We don't know yet who will serve as the Nationals closer come opening day, but we do know it will be someone new. Mark Melancon is no longer in D.C., having signed a four-year deal with the Giants earlier this winter. Drew Storen also is long gone, having spent 2016 in Toronto and Seattle, and now signed with the Reds for 2017. Jonathan Papelbon? He remains in parts unknown, but we do know he's not in Washington anymore. If you've been following the Nationals closely over the years, though,...

Tracking down former Nats pitchers

Tracking down former Nats pitchers
Yesterday, we tracked down some former Nationals position players to see what has become of them since we last saw them. Today we look at former pitchers, with some particularly notable and memorable names in this bunch. ROSS DETWILER The sixth overall pick in the 2007 draft had a few big moments during his Nationals career - most notably, he tossed a gem in the must-win Game 4 of the 2012 National League Division Series against the Cardinals - but he never could sustain it. The Nats decided...

District 34 podcast: Mark Zuckerman discusses Jonathan Papelbon (updated)

District 34 podcast: Mark Zuckerman discusses Jonathan Papelbon (updated)
We've got a special treat for you on our 10th episode of the District 34 podcast: MASNsports.com's Nationals beat writer Mark Zuckerman calls in to the show! With Byron Kerr out in Denver covering the Nats' series with the Rockies (and maybe or maybe not taking in some Broncos training camp), Mark was able to join me before he left for Atlanta. Our main talking point: the release of Jonathan Papelbon. Due to previously scheduled time off last weekend, Mark was not able to give you, the fans,...

Scherzer defends Papelbon: "Competes every single day"

Scherzer defends Papelbon: "Competes every single day"
On the day Jonathan Papelbon was released by the Nationals, many will remember the closer putting his hands around the neck of the eventual National League Most Valuable Player Bryce Harper at the end of last season as his lasting image with the club. Many believed that image meant there was unrest in the Nationals clubhouse and that Papelbon was not a model teammate. Right-hander Max Scherzer said that notion of Papelbon being a negative influence on the team at any time was...

Baker and Rizzo react to the release of Papelbon

Baker and Rizzo react to the release of Papelbon
The Nationals released veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon on Saturday to make room for Reynaldo Lopez. Papelbon finished his career with the Nationals with 26 saves in 59 appearances. But he struggled with his command and velocity recently, no longer possessing the swing-and-miss stuff that is required from a top-of-the-line closer. The Nationals went out and picked up Mark Melancon to close games. Papelbon's role diminished from there. Since July 28, Papelbon appeared in only two games. He...

Game 115 lineups: Braves at Nats

Game 115 lineups: Braves at Nats
Just another Saturday night for the first-place Nationals, right? Not really. Former closer Jonathan Papelbon requested his release. He got that release at 3 p.m. The Nationals activated right-hander Reynaldo Lopez. He will make his third major league start, seeking his first win. This would seem to be his best chance to date to earn that first victory: a last-place team filled with guys he could have faced at the minor league level, plus Lopez has two starts under his belt and comes in with...

Jonathan Papelbon seeking his release (updated)

Jonathan Papelbon seeking his release (updated)
The Nationals must make a corresponding move today when they activate right-hander Reynaldo Lopez. Lopez is the starter for tonight's matchup against the Atlanta Braves. Usually when a pitcher is added to a roster, another hurler is taken off. The bullpen has been pretty consistent up and down this season, except for Jonathan Papelbon, who was demoted from his closer role late last month. When Mark Melancon was acquired in a trade from the Pirates, Papelbon was told his role would change with...

Patrick Reddington: What now for Jonathan Papelbon?

Patrick Reddington: What now for Jonathan Papelbon?
In five appearances out of Washington's bullpen, new closer Mark Melancon has thrown five scoreless innings, striking out seven and allowing just one hit from the 16 batters he's faced. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates to take over as the Nationals closer, Melancon has provided exactly what he was expected to. "He's not doing anything different than he was before we got him," Dusty Baker told reporters earlier this week. "He doesn't give up a lot of hits... very few walks, and he has...

On Saturday's starter, and other roster machinations

On Saturday's starter, and other roster machinations
Stephen Strasburg is pitching tonight's series opener for the Nationals against the Braves. Tanner Roark is pitching Sunday. Which leaves Saturday's starter as the always mysterious "TBA." At least, officially, that's what the Nats are saying. All signs, however, point to Reynaldo Lopez making the start. The right-hander is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Syracuse, so he's already properly lined up. Why are the Nationals going to call up one of their prospects now when the schedule allows...

Game 112 lineups: Nats vs. Indians

Game 112 lineups: Nats vs. Indians
The Nationals are back to work tonight, hosting the Indians in the opener of a two-game interleague series, the second half of their head-to-head matchup that included two games in Cleveland a couple weeks ago. The two clubs split that series at Progressive Field, but only because of Jonathan Papelbon's blown save in the opener. Obviously, things have changed a bit since then. Max Scherzer, who did not pitch in that first series, takes the mound tonight and looks to continue his recent surge...

Gonzalez's midsummer surge coming just when Nats need it

Gonzalez's midsummer surge coming just when Nats need it
Gio Gonzalez has been something of the ugly duckling of the Nationals' rotation much of this summer, unable to keep up with the consistent dominance displayed by Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer and Tanner Roark. And that's been fine, because the Nationals have been winning and their rotation as a whole has been among the best in baseball throughout. But with Joe Ross' return now no longer in close-range view - the right-hander had to be pulled back from his rehab assignment with lingering...

Game 109 lineups: Nats vs. Giants

Game 109 lineups: Nats vs. Giants
How long has been since the Nationals last played at home? Well, in their most recent game at Nationals Park, Lucas Giolito started and lasted only 3 1/3 innings, Michael A. Taylor started in center field, Jonathan Papelbon took the loss, Trea Turner in center field was in its early experimental phase and the Nats held a 4 1/2-game lead in the National League East. As the late, great Troy McClure said on the The Simpsons' 138th Episode Spectacular: "Ha ha ha, they haven't changed a...

Marty Niland: How does the Melancon trade affect the rest of the Nats bullpen?

Marty Niland: How does the Melancon trade affect the rest of the Nats bullpen?
So the Nationals have finally landed a new closer, with Mark Melancon coming from Pittsburgh. General manager Mike Rizzo sent left-hander Felipe Rivero and prospect Taylor Hearn to the Pirates in hopes that he can solve the late-inning issues that have plagued the team in the past week. But what will become of the man he's supplanting, Jonathan Papelbon, and the rest of the bullpen? Papelbon is on record as saying he is OK with the move, despite the fact that his new role is undefined. When...

Rizzo, Baker and Papelbon react to the Melancon trade

Rizzo, Baker and Papelbon react to the Melancon trade
SAN FRANCISCO - In his eight seasons as general manager of the Nationals, Mike Rizzo has rarely traded for a player who isn't under club control beyond the current season. The situation this summer, however, is quite different, and so Rizzo didn't hesitate to go against his usual mantra in acquiring Mark Melancon to be his closer for the next two months. "I just think that his resume and his performance level dictated that he was a guy to really go after and attack," Rizzo said this evening...

Depleted bullpen caves in seventh during Nats' 5-3 loss

Depleted bullpen caves in seventh during Nats' 5-3 loss
SAN FRANCISCO - The Nationals will be getting much-needed bullpen reinforcement Sunday when new closer Mark Melancon joins the club following his trade from the Pirates. But before that happened, they still needed to get through the latter innings of this afternoon's game against the Giants. And that proved a significant challenge. Three relievers combined to give up a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh, helping hand San Francisco a 5-3 victory at AT&T Park. Forced to turn to his...

The domino effect of the Melancon trade (Nats lose 5-3)

The domino effect of the Melancon trade (Nats lose 5-3)
SAN FRANCISCO - Mark Melancon is expected to join the Nationals in time for Sunday's series finale against the Giants and told reporters in Milwaukee (where the Pirates are currently playing) he believes he'll immediately be available to close for his new club. The Nationals will need to make another roster move to clear a spot for Melancon, but the trade comes at a particularly fortuitous time for the team that allows them to make a simple transaction. With three off-days coming up in the...

Nats acquire closer Melancon for Rivero, Hearn (updated)

Nats acquire closer Melancon for Rivero, Hearn (updated)
SAN FRANCISCO - The Nationals have found their much-needed closer, and though he's only going to be a two-month rental, the club didn't have to give up any of its top prospects to get him. The Nationals have acquired Mark Melancon from the Pirates in exchange for left-hander Felipe Rivero and Single-A left-hander Taylor Hearn, the team announced this afternoon. The deal came together just before the scheduled 4:05 p.m. EDT first pitch of today's game against the Giants, allowing the...