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Nationals fans were left confused and weary as the 4:00 PM deadline came and went without any word of a trade. Then with Stephen Strasburg on the DL, Joe Ross out with Tommy John surgery, an outfield trio of Adam Eaton/Jayson Werth/Michael A. Taylor on the DL, and with Trea Turner on the DL, the Nationals went out and got ... another bullpen arm?
Well, some Twins fans are not happy to see Brandon Kintzler leave:
17th best nats prospect? For arguably our best bullpen guy.... jeez we got robbed
— Dylan Radke (@DylanRadke) July 31, 2017
It's official: that's an awful trade.
— Johnny Marks (@DJJohnnyMarks) July 31, 2017
As speculation of a Kintzler trade grew, it was evident that the bar was low for what they expected in return:
I honestly expected to see them trade Kintzler for two really good seats for Hamilton: An American Musical. pic.twitter.com/PqhXtT3UZZ
— Wuzzy (@fuzzywuzzy60) July 31, 2017
And they will all miss his walk-up music:
I'm happy for Kintzler. He'll be pitching on the big stage in October. But I'll miss hearing "Lose Yourself" in the 9th at Target Field.
— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) July 31, 2017
Palms sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. Vomit on his sweater moms spaghetti. Nervous but his face looks calm and ready. Kintzler to WSH!
— Chris Kreibich (@Twinsfan1994) July 31, 2017
But who will play Eminem at target field? #kintzler #mntwins pic.twitter.com/Eqjr8XCdwH
— Kayla (@KaylaJoy1984) July 31, 2017
Some DC fans were “meh”:
#Nats bullpen doesn't have a dominant closer. But Doolittle, Madson, Kintzler, Romero and maybe Kelley/ Solis is strong. Nice job Rizzo.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) July 31, 2017
That's not how you spell Zach Britton. Cmon Rizzo.
— Dave (@DBrot_) July 31, 2017
While others celebrated the gains without the loss:
So in total the Nats get Madson, Doolittle, Kendrick and Kintzler and don't have to give up any top prospects for them. Well done Rizzo.
— Jeff Kravitz (@Kravitz76) July 31, 2017
Mike Rizzo built a formidable bullpen in two weeks.
— Max Duchaine (@maxduchaine) July 31, 2017
But mostly, we’re just confused:
So is he our closer now.. or?
— Zac McCord (@zmccord23) July 31, 2017
Unnerving: 'Kintzler, who turns 33 on Tuesday, is an atypical closer who hardly strikes out anyone.' https://t.co/eCuNoG3lHR
— Terence Samuel (@terencesamuel) July 31, 2017
Dusty said he doesn't know much about Kintzler, but Jacque Jones gave him a scouting report via Eddie Guardado.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgeccastillo) July 31, 2017
Even Kinztler himself is still unaware what his role will be:
Kintzler has not been told by Mike Rizzo if he will close says that is an in person conversation.
— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) July 31, 2017
The real loser in this deal, though, is the rhino who probably didn’t get fully fed because Kintzler had to pack for Miami:
What was Brandon Kintzler doing when he found out he was traded? Feeding a rhino, of course.#Nationals #Twins
— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) July 31, 2017
https://t.co/RRy9rJIoOz pic.twitter.com/SRD0bRpMs1
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Audrey Stark is a Contributor at Federal Baseball. You can follow her on Twitter @highstarksunday.