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The Mets added to their bullpen yesterday by acquiring Tyler Clippard from the Oakland Athletics for minor league right-hander Casey Meisner. Today, the division-leading Washington Nationals made a bullpen move of their own, acquiring closer Jonathan Papelbon from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Double-A pitcher Nick Pivetta.
Papelbon has been one of the bright spots for the Phillies in a season that has seen them struggle en route to the worst record in Major League Baseball at 37-63. Papelbon is 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA, 0.983 WHIP, and a perfect mark of 17-for-17 in save opportunities.
Papelbon will serve as the closer for the Nationals, taking over the role held previously by Drew Storen. Storen is also having an outstanding season for the Nationals with 29 saves in 31 chances, a 1.73 ERA and 1.018 WHIP. Storen will seemingly shift to the eighth inning where he will serve as Papelbon's primary setup man.