:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50253581/579687090.0.jpg)
Within the last few moments there have been multiple reports that the talks between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals about veteran closer Mark Melancon were heating up and according to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal the Nationals have in fact completed a deal that will bring the right-hander to the Nats:
Sources: Felipe Rivero one of players heading from #Nationals to #Pirates.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2016
As for the reported return? As of now it looks like it will be Felipe Rivero and prospects headed to the Pirates in return for Melancon:
Sources: Felipe Rivero one of players heading from #Nationals to #Pirates.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2016
MASNSports.com’s Byron Kerr reported before the latest updates that he was hearing it might be either Nats’ prospect Erick Fedde or tonight’s starter Reynaldo Lopez included in the deal (but it apparently didn’t take either of those two, see below):
Nats and Pirates heating up re: Melancon. Fedde/Lopez or both mentioned in return. Pirates scout in SF to watch Lopez, source confirms
— Byron Kerr (@masnKerr) July 30, 2016
Multiple sources are now confirming that the deal is done:
Nats and Pirates heating up re: Melancon. Fedde/Lopez or both mentioned in return. Pirates scout in SF to watch Lopez, source confirms
— Byron Kerr (@masnKerr) July 30, 2016
Official: The #Nats get #Pirates Melancon for Rivero
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 30, 2016
More info on the other prospect included in the deal when it is available...
Pirates get Felipe Rivero and LHP Taylor Hearn for Melancon to Nats, source confirms
— Byron Kerr (@masnKerr) July 30, 2016