Wire Taps: Nationals acquire Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson from A’s; reactions + more...

That rumored trade for Oakland A’s relievers Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson finally went down on Sunday, and the Washington Nationals added much-needed arms to their beleaguered bullpen. So which one of the new relief arms is going to end up being the Nats’ new closer?

“I’m not sure,” Dusty Baker said on Sunday afternoon. “I’ve got to talk to [A’s skipper] Bob Melvin. Like I said, both of them have closed, I know both of them have had some arm problems in the past, so it could be both of them, you know what I mean, so we’ll see.”

Is GM Mike Rizzo done dealing? What does the baseball world think about the latest deal between the A’s and Nats? Catch up on the last 24 hours in Nationals news...

NATS BEAT:

The Nationals made a trade to improve their bullpen. But who will close?
"With the addition of Madson and Doolittle, the Nationals’ bullpen is undeniably better, a substantial development in the baseball landscape for a team that already boasted one of the league’s best offenses and starting rotations."

Washington Nationals find relief in A's deal, but not a true closer
"If you squint your eyes just so, you could fool yourself into believing that the Madson/Doolittle deal is the remedy for Washington's late-game letdowns."

Thoughts on the Nationals' blockbuster bullpen trade
"Of course Mike Rizzo and Billy Beane were going to consummate their 11th trade since 2010. And of course Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle were going to be the relievers coming from Oakland to Washington."

Nationals trade lifts hopes for postseason
:If Nationals manager Dusty Baker isn't the happiest, most relieved man in baseball, he's surely in the running."

Rizzo and Baker on trade for Doolittle and Madson
"Two guys who have previously closed games will allow Dusty Baker to set up his bullpen - if he names one of the new arrivals as his new closer."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Doolittle pens heartfelt goodbye to Athletics after Nationals swap
"After learning of the news, Doolittle took to Twitter to thank Athletics fans, as well as the organization, which drafted the left-hander in the first round in 2007."

Law: Nationals, A's reap benefits in bullpen-boosting deal
"The Washington Nationals addressed their bullpen issues in one move without trading any of their top three prospects (Victor Robles, Juan Soto and Carter Kieboom)."

Bullpen Report: July 16, 2017
"That the Nationals made a move for bullpen help doesn’t come as a surprise, but Doolittle and Madson weren’t necessarily the most obvious candidates."

Nationals Make Inevitable Trade for Actual Good Relievers
"Do you consider yourself a fan of our in-house statistics? The Nationals bullpen ranks last in baseball in WAR."

Washington Nationals add experience to a depleted bullpen
"Only the Nationals’ commanding lead in their watered-down division, built on a potent offense and a sturdy rotation, has made the bullpen woes semi-palatable."

A's trade Sean Doolittle to Nationals in 5-player deal
"In what’s become a trend over the years in Oakland, losing the hard-throwing, socially conscious Doolittle takes away the team’s most popular player from its fans."

NATSTOWN:

Nats Finally Get Some Bullpen Help
"The Nats finally did the one thing everyone’s been waiting for – they traded for a closer. I’m just not sure which one he is."

The Washington Nationals Acquire Sean Doolittle & Ryan Madson from Oakland
"After watching his bullpen implode yet another time Saturday evening, Sunday General Manager Mike Rizzo pulled the trigger on a deal with Oakland..."

The Nats Bullpen: Survivor Island Edition
"One man alone can’t fill the gaping void, which is why Rizzo just got two. So of the current Nats relief pitchers, are any of them worth a damn?"