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Mark Melancon

Nationals get Mark Melancon in trade with Pirates

Bob Nightengale
USA TODAY Sports
Melancon has been an All-Star three of the last four seasons.

The Washington Nationals, desperate for a closer, have acquired Pittsburgh Pirates closer Mark Melancon.

In exchange, the Pirates received left-handed pitcher Felipe Rivero and minor league pitcher Taylor Hearn.

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While Melancon doesn't draw the same attention as Aroldis Chapman did last week, it's still an upgrade and comes at a much lower asking price than it would have for New York Yankees' Andrew Miller or Kansas City Royals' Wade Davis.

Melancon, a three-time All-Star, has 30 saves and a 1.21 ERA this season. He has 130 saves with a 1.80 ERA, 0.926 WHIP over the last four seasons combined, including a major-league high 51 in 2015. He becomes a free agent at the end of the season.

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The Nationals were in need for a closer with Jonathan Papelbon struggling to close out games in the ninth. Over his last three appearances, Papelbon has allowed seven earned runs and saw his ERA skyrocket from 2.56 to 4.41.

General manager Mike Rizzo had said all along the he would not include any of his top prospects (Lucas Giolito, Trea Turner, Reynaldo Lopez, Victor Robles), making a deal for Miller or Davis difficuly.

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