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MLB Network insider Jon Morosi reported within the last few days that the Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays had talked about two of the Jays’ relievers, writing on Twitter that the teams, “have been in contact on possible trades involving Ken Giles or Daniel Hudson.”
Apparently it’s going to be Hudson as the Nationals’ first deadline addition.
Scott Mitchell, who covers the Jays for The Sports Network for our neighbors to the north was the first to report that the deal was done:
Daniel Hudson has been traded to the Washington Nationals, per source.#BlueJays
— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) July 31, 2019
Hudson, 32, is a starter-turned-reliever who has a 3.00 ERA, a 4.21 FIP, 4.31 BB/9 and 9.00 K/9 in 45 games for the Blue Jays this season, after signing a 1-year/$1.5M free agent deal with Toronto this winter, so it looks like he’s a rental.
In addition to that rumored deal, the Nationals are reportedly not done after adding Hudson to the mix:
#Nationals also working to acquire LH Roenis Elias from the #Mariners, source tells The Athletic. Not clear if teams are close to deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2019
Elías, 30, is under team control through 2021, and he’s earning just $910K this season after avoiding arbitration with the Seattle Mariners this past winter.
Elias traded to #nationals
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2019
That deal, if it happens, fits the sort of player GM Mike Rizzo has been talking about looking for at the deadline, a young-ish, relatively cheap, and controllable arm that could help the team this season and in the near future.
Elías has a 4.40 ERA, a 4.67 FIP, 3.26 BB/9, and 8.62 K/9 in 47 IP, and he gives the Nationals the left-handed reliever they’ve reportedly been after in the last few weeks.
More info on each of the deals when it is available...
Here’s the reported return on Daniel Hudson:
Correction: Johnston! https://t.co/clffLfYUNz
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2019
Are the Nationals done?
Nationals definitely aren't done. They've been telling teams they expected to trade for 3 relievers today. https://t.co/hH8WsAYjoM
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 31, 2019
UPDATE: 2:30 PM EDT:
Well, since Bryce Harper is gone now, we guess this one is okay now... though it’s pending a physical after Hunter Strickland has dealt with injury issues this season:
The Nationals are also acquiring RHP Hunter Strickland from the Mariners in exchange for LHP Aaron Fletcher, per a source
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) July 31, 2019