The Washington Nationals have decided to build a bullpen that would rival just about any other one in the National League in their quest to win the NL East.
We say that because of what they did Tuesday, trading for Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Papelbon will displace Drew Storen, who will be shifted into a setup role. But worth noting, if you put Papelbon and Storen’s numbers side by side, they've performed almost identically this season.
Papelbon’s track record tough to match
Though Storen might be as good this season, this is a deal about track records, and Papelbon’s track record is very impressive.
Over the past 10 seasons (which encompasses his time as a major league closer), Papelbon has a 2.30 ERA. He’s had an ERA above 3.00 only once, and he’s had three seasons (not including this one) with an ERA below 2.00.
Papelbon’s 342 career saves rank 12th all time. His seven seasons of 35 saves trail only Mariano Rivera (12), Trevor Hoffman (12) and Joe Nathan (9).
Papelbon’s save percentage is 88.6 percent. If he retired right now, that would be the sixth-highest save percentage among the 48 pitchers with at least 200 saves.
He’s a perfect 17-for-17 in save chances in 2015.
Learning ways to get hitters out
Papelbon has continued to get hitters out even though his average fastball velocity is not what it used to be. He averaged nearly 95 mph with that pitch in each of his past three seasons in Boston -- 92, 91 and 91 mph.
Papelbon has changed from a thrower to a pitcher. His fastball usage rate has declined in each of the past four seasons. He’s thrown sliders at a rate three times as often this season (19 percent of his pitches) as he did in 2012, his first season with the Phillies. That pitch, in conjunction with his splitter, give him multiple offspeed options that keep hitters off balance.
Postseason pedigree
The Nationals also got Papelbon for his playoff experience. He has a 1.00 career ERA in postseason and began his postseason career with 26 straight scoreless innings.
Papelbon won a World Series with the Red Sox, a postseason in which he pitched 11 postseason innings, allowing no runs and five hits. He recorded four postseason saves, all of which were more than one inning in length.
Papelbon has not been to the postseason since 2009.