What Jonathan Papelbon’s Injury Could Mean for Yankees

The Nationals placed closer Jonathan Papelbon on the disabled list on Tuesday with an intercostal strain. Already one of the teams said to be interested in the Yankees’ trio of closers, one has to wonder if this Papelbon injury might force the issue for the Nationals. The trade market has not yet shaken itself out, and the Yankees have made it clear that they are not looking to deal at this time. But if they continue to fall out of the race, perhaps the timing would be just right for these two teams to match up.

Says Fox’s Ken Rosenthal:

"The Nationals’ priority is adding an impact reliever such as Aroldis Chapman or Andrew Miller. The Yankees, though, might not make either of those pitchers available and the Nats might not be willing to pay the acquisition costs for a late inning force anyway."

This came prior to the Nats placing Papelbon on the DL. Maybe that intercostal strain is enough to change the Nationals’ thinking. Intercostal injuries can be tricky. If Papelbon’s ailment isn’t serious, the 15-day stint on the DL might be adequate. If it’s more serious, he could be out for weeks, even months. It’s possible that if he’s out for just the 15 days, the strain could effect his performance upon his return. The Nationals could get an itchy trigger finger. It’s happened before.

Papelbon’s reputation– and, you know, that choking incident— has caused many to not take notice of what had been a nice start to his 2016 season. He’s given up an earned run in three of his last five outings– raising his ERA to 3.28, a little high for a closer– but prior to that, he had pitched to a 2.75 ERA. Backing him up in the bullpen is former Yankee Shawn Kelley who will likely take over closing duties in the interim. Kelley’s been excellent for Washington. Going into Tuesday, he had struck out 34 batters in 23.1 innings, with a WHIP of 0.86. Yet even with that back end combination, the Nationals were still scouting the Yankee arms.

Of course, for this dance to happen, the Yankees would have to be willing partners. As Rosenthal noted, they don’t appear quite ready to disassemble their roster and accept their (likely) fate as deadline sellers. But the news of Papelbon’s injury should draw Brian Cashman’s attention. He has to, at the very least, consider that the Nationals may be willing to up a potential offer for one of his big three. He could catch the Nationals at their most vulnerable moment, and that might occur a bit sooner in the season than he was initially comfortable with. But Cashman would be wise to strike while the iron is hot.

The Nationals have intriguing prospects, and some could contribute at the big league level this year. If Cashman is worried about having to wait on the players he acquires to be factors in the majors, he need not concern himself. Washington may not be willing to part with their two uber-prospects, Lucas Giolito and Trea Turner, but there are others behind them that can help in 2016. A.J. Cole, Reynaldo Lopez and Wilmer Difo are just some of the names that could be thrown around in negotiations. Cashman could also pluck from Washington’s 25-man roster, in which case Joe Ross‘ name might come up.

These teams, if both are willing at this juncture, match up well. The Nationals seem to be interested in a reliever regardless of Papelbon’s health or success. Papelbon’s injury could push them over the edge, though. The Yankees can help in that department. And while the Yanks do not consider themselves sellers yet, they have an opportunity to capitalize on the value of one of their top players, and get back soon-to-be major leaguers.