RADIO
The Washington Nationals have become the “hottest” team in the sweepstakes for closer Criag Kimbrel, according to Fox Sports.
The San Diego Padres pitcher will likely no longer be in San Diego after the July 31 trade deadline. The Nationals are trying to hold onto first place in the NL East and get back into the playoffs. They want to bolster their bullpen in order to get back to October baseball.
Sources: #Nationals hottest on Kimbrel. Also linked to Chapman. Friend of Rizzo: “I will almost bet my house that he will do something big.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2015
Drew Storen has had a great season as the closer in Washington this season. He sports a 1.73 ERA with 29 saves. If the Nats could land Kimbrel, the closer role could go to the new comer most likely, but it's possible he would set up Storen.
Kimbrel, 27, has 29 saves with a 2.75 ERA in his first season with the Padres after being traded by the Atlanta Braves during the off-season. The right-hander is owed $37 million over the next three years.
Aroldis Chapman has been reported by Fox Sports to be on the radar of the Nationals as well. The Cincinnati Reds closer that often hits over 100 mph on the radar gun is up for arbitration after this season.
