Nationals Acquire Lefty Reliever Roenis Elias and Righty Hunter Strickland From Mariners
By Sam Dunn
The Washington Nationals were on the prowl for some bullpen help up against the MLB trade deadline, and they've done their duty. Just minutes after news broke that they had brought in Daniel Hudson courtesy of the Blue Jays, it's now been confirmed that Seattle Mariners southpaw Roenis Elias is likewise on his way to our nation's capital, as first reported by Joel Sherman and Ken Rosenthal.
Elias traded to #nationals
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2019
In 44 appearances in 2019, Elias sports a pedestrian 4.40 ERA and 1.255 WHIP. He began his career with the M's before later returning after a two-year interlude with the Red Sox in 2016 and '17.
RHP Elvis Alvarado and LHP Taylor Guilbeau going from #Nationals to #Mariners in Elias trade, source tells The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2019
In exchange, the Nats are shipping pitchers Taylor Guilbeau and Elvis Alvarado.
The #Nats wanted two relievers, and get them, at modest price, with LHP Roenis Elias now going from the #Mariners to the Nats, as @Ken_Rosenthal and @Joelsherman1 reported.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2019
About 20 minutes later, the Nats bizarrely went right back to the Mariners well, adding Hunter Strickland in what appears to be a separate deal.
The Nationals have acquired Hunter Strickland from the Mariners for Aaron Fletcher, per sources. Deal is pending physicals.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 31, 2019
Strickland, injured for much of 2019, has hurled just a trio of innings, sporting an 8.10 ERA. He's also best known by Nationals fans for being Bryce Harper's sworn enemy, getting taken deep with aplomb by the former DC star in the postseason, and starting a brawl with him in 2017.
Elias may not move the needle for some rank-and-file Nats fans, but with the team suddenly locked in an intriguing NL East race with the division-leading Braves, extra lefty help never hurts.