Nationals GM Mike Rizzo Claims the Team is Interested in Relievers Shane Greene and Sam Dyson
By Jerry Trotta
The Washington Nationals bullpen has cooled down since their historically poor opening month of 2019. Nevertheless, they still boast MLB's worst ERA at 5.94. In truth, the club's season as of May seemed like one destined to battling with the Mets for third and fourth place in the NL East.
An outstanding showing in June (no thanks to their compilation of relievers) however, has spearheaded the Nats into genuine playoff contention and is persuading general manager Mike Rizzo to be a legitimate buyer ahead of the July 31 deadline.
So, of course, the 58-year-old executive has his eyes on a view choice relievers to help the organization's postseason push. In particular, Sam Dyson of the Giants and Shane Greene of the Tigers.
#Nationals GM Mike Rizzo spoke on @MLBNetworkRadio about acquiring controllable players. Per sources, team is interested in #Tigers’ Shane Greene and #SFGiants’ Sam Dyson, two relievers who fit that description. Both under control beyond this season. Others also on list.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 20, 2019
As the ever-reliable Ken Rosenthal notes, Rizzo is looking for arms he can lockdown beyond this season and the two right-handed hurlers embody that very description. Greene's is set to enter his fourth year of arbitration in 2020, but there's reason to believe he'd sign long-term in Washington. Meanwhile, Dyson will also be entering his fourth year of arbitration.
More importantly, both Greene and Dyson have been superb for Detroit and San Fran respectively in 2019. Dyson is 4-1 with a 2.68 ERA and 46 strikeouts across 47 innings picking up 16 holds; while Greene boasts a superb 1.03 ERA to go with 37 punch-outs in 35 innings of work with 22 saves under his belt.
Mike Rizzo on the trade deadline: "We're going to try to improve our club."
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) July 19, 2019
OK, let's try that again.
Mike Rizzo on the trade deadline: "Our priority is going to be pitching, probably bullpen."@Nationals | #Nationals | #OnePursuit pic.twitter.com/litadiyAhb
The question now is what future pieces Rizzo is willing to gave up to make any potential deal(s) come to fruition.