The Nationals bullpen needs an overhaul, here are some moves they can make
As if we needed any more evidence, yesterday showed us that the Nationals bullpen needs an overhaul. The free agents Mike Rizzo brought in to the bullpen are not getting the job done. Jorge Lopez, Lucas Sims, and Colin Poche all have ERA’s in the double digits.
Mike Rizzo needs to make some moves and quickly. However, the question is what can Rizzo do. There are a few options, with none of them being amazing. Rizzo can look from within, look for unsigned players or dig through the waiver wire.
Help From Within:
One option the Nats could consider is simply looking within the organization. There are a couple interesting bullpen arms to turn to. One thing they need to do now is give Jackson Rutledge and Cole Henry bigger roles. Both have looked much better than any of the veterans have.
I know they are inexperienced, but at this point there is absolutely nothing to lose. It would be very hard to be worse than what the Nationals currently have. Rutledge and Henry have been sharp in mop up duty, but now is the time to give them tougher roles.
Davey has been using Rutledge as a long man, but I think he is better suited for a one or two inning role. While he was a starter recently, his stuff looks much better early on in his outings. Given his injury history, the Nats need to be careful with Cole Henry, but he has looked good in his two outings.
The Nats could also look to some Minor Leaguers. Two guys to consider are Konnor Pilkington and Marquis Grissom Jr. Pilkington is a lefty, who has been putting up big strikeout numbers in Rochester. He also has MLB experience.
Grissom on the other hand is only in Double-A, but I think it might be worth letting him skip Triple-A. He has dominated every level he has pitched at since being drafted in 2022. Grissom also pounds the zone, something the Nats need from their bullpen arms. The 23 year old has a plus-plus changeup that will play in the big leagues immediately.
It is unclear when we will see Derek Law, but he would also help out. Zach Brzykcy is also out on a rehab assignment.
One wild card for me is Cade Cavalli. He looked great in his first rehab start, going four scoreless innings and sitting 96-98 MPH. While he is a starter, I think his stuff would be electric in a bullpen role. The bullpen is also a much more pressing need for the team right now. So if they want Cavalli to contribute right away, a move to the bullpen could be an answer.
Cade Cavalli is back on the mound
The @Nationals‘ 2020 first-rounder racks up 3 K’s over 4 scoreless frames in a rehab start with the Single-A @FXBGNats. pic.twitter.com/bYPj3bm3HS
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 20, 2025
Free Agent Options:
The options in free agency are pretty thin, as would be expected with the season well underway. However, there are some veterans out there. I honestly do not think David Robertson has any interest in signing with the Nats, but he is the best name.
Other intriguing names are Will Smith, Adam Cimber, Brooks Raley, Joe Kelly, Joely Rodriguez and Drew Smyly. None of those guys are game changers, but they could be upgrades. Maybe Mike Rizzo could take a shot on one of them.
The Waiver Wire:
The last option is to use something Mike Rizzo has had success with in the past, the waiver wire. Guys like Hunter Harvey and Robert Garcia were both picked up on waivers by the Nats. Eduardo Salazar was as well, but he is struggling after a solid 2024.
There is a steady flow of guys on the wire, and if Rizzo finds any of them interesting at all, he has to pounce.
One player on there right now is the unfortunately named Scott Blewitt. The right hander has been let go twice this season, but he has a 1.00 ERA in nine innings with the Twins and Orioles. He has not blown it so far at the big league level and Rizzo should take a shot on him.
He would be an immediate upgrade on most of the bullpen and has the ability to go multiple innings. I think Mike Rizzo needs to make the waiver call and pick up the 29 year old. While there would be plenty of jokes and puns if he doesn’t work out, the stuff is intriguing.
While there are plenty of options, the status quo is the worst of them all right now. Lucas Sims and Colin Poche just are not MLB caliber pitchers right now. While it might bruise Rizzo’s ego to let go of his signings so quickly, he has to do it for the good of the team. Right now, the bullpen is simply unacceptable and the time for change is now.