Report: Nats weighing offers for relievers Hand, Hudson originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Nationals have engaged in trade talks on relievers Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson ahead of this week’s trade deadline, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Sunday. Among the teams interested are the Toronto Blue Jays, who originally traded Hudson to the Nationals in 2019.
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Washington appears headed toward selling at the deadline this year after falling well behind the New York Mets in the NL East race. The club has been plagued by injuries all year long and the once-steady rotation hasn’t gotten the production it expected out of Patrick Corbin and Jon Lester while Stephen Strasburg has made just five starts.
If the team does move pieces at the deadline, Hand and Hudson are two of the most likely players to go. Both relievers are healthy and producing while playing on expiring contracts that will send them into free agency this winter. Hudson, who recorded the final out of the World Series for the Nationals in 2019, has a 2.37 ERA in 29 appearances this year with 12 holds. Hand signed with the club last offseason and has 20 saves with a 2.63 ERA in 38 games so far.
Though Toronto was the only team mentioned by Morosi, the Blue Jays won’t be the only team interested in their services. Nearly every contender could use an extra reliever or two for the back end of their bullpens. Both Hand (a lefty) and Hudson (a righty) have closing experience.
