Washington Nationals trade Shawn Kelley to Oakland A’s; Nats talking to Greg Holland?

Shortly after the conclusion of Sunday’s series finale with the Cincinnati Reds in the nation’s capital, the Washington Nationals announced that they had traded reliever Shawn Kelley and cash to Oakland, receiving an undisclosed amount of international bonus slot value in return from the A’s.

Kelley, 34, and playing in the third year of a 3-year/$15M dollar deal with the Nationals, put up a 3.34 ERA, a 4.55 FIP, five walks (1.39 BB/9), 32 Ks (8.91 K/9), and a .213/.250/.479 line against in 32 1⁄3 innings this season, over which he allowed seven home runs (1.95 HR/9).

His reaction to the seventh home run, in what was a 25-1 game when he took the mound earlier this week against the New York Mets, led to him being designated for assignment.

Kelley tossed his glove in frustration, and appeared to glare towards the dugout, as Nats’ GM Mike Rizzo saw it, with the General Manager telling reporters after he DFA’d the reliever, that he saw Kelley’s actions as, “... disrespectful to the name on the front of the jersey, the organization, [and] specifically [manager] Davey Martinez,” explaining that in his mind, “... you’re either in or you’re in the way, and I thought he was in the way.

“That’s something you don’t come back from,” Rizzo said. “It was a disrespectful act and I thought it warranted him leaving the team.”

Kelley, who challenged that take on what transpired, cleared waivers, and was traded today.

GREG HOLLAND TO D.C.?

Meanwhile, Washington Post writer Chelsea Janes, citing people familiar with the situation, reported earlier this afternoon that the Nationals and veteran reliever Greg Holland were discussing a potential deal.

The right-hander cleared waivers and was released by the St. Louis Cardinals after putting up a 7.92 ERA, a 4.56 FIP, 22 walks (7.92 BB/9), and 22 Ks (7.29 K/9) in 32 appearances and 25 innings on the mound after signing a 1-year/$14M free agent deal with the Cardinals this winter.

Nats’ GM Mike Rizzo had previously pursued Holland, with multiple reports tying the two sides together in each of the last two offseasons, and with the recent decision to trade Brandon Kintzler to the Chicago Cubs and designate reliever Shawn Kelley for assignment (and now trade him to Oakland), Holland, if he can get straightened out, would provide the Nationals’ relief corps with some depth.

Fancred’s Jon Heyman wrote on Facebook several hours after the initial reports that, “Holland appears to be moving toward a deal with the [Nationals],” though nothing has been announced as of this moment (6:30 PM EDT on Sunday).