MLB Free Agency: Best fits for Dodgers reliever Brandon Morrow
By Jason Reed
2. Washington Nationals
Brandon Morrow is definitely a talent the Washington Nationals should look to pursue this offseason. The Nationals’ bullpen has been holding the team back from taking that extra step past the NLDS. Washington recognized that last season and brought in Sean Doolittle and Brandon Kintzler via trade last season. The latter of which is now a free agent.
The Nationals recognized this problem far before making midseason trades as well. Last offseason, the Nationals signed Dodgers’ reliever Joe Blanton after a resurgent season in 2016. Much like Morrow, Blanton was a huge key to the bullpen and arguably was their best arm outside of Kenley Jansen.
However, Blanton struggled last season posting 5.68 ERA in 51 games pitched. Outside of Doolittle, the only reliable arm in the bullpen is Ryan Madson. However, Madson is entering his age 37 season and as we have seen with every athlete: father time eventually catches us.
Thus, signing an arm like Brandon Morrow is not an option for the Nationals, it becomes a necessity. Washington needs to fix the bullpen and fix it fast before their talented core walks.
Morrow would likely not be taking over the closer role right away in Washington but it is a role he can work his way up towards. Regardless, the Nationals need a bullpen arm like Brandon Morrow.