MLB Bullets solves a Nationals emergency

Everyone said that the Nationals would do little to solve their bullpen issues and as it turns out, they were right. (I’m sorry if you’ve heard a variant of that joke 50 times by now. I only get to publish three days a week. That’s two more days than Olney.)

I do wonder how the outspoken and free-spirited Sean Doolittle will play in DC. He was always a natural for the East Bay. I’m guessing as long as he pitches well, everything will be fine.

• The Nationals made a move to bolster their bullpen by grabbing Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson from the Athletics for Blake Treinen and two prospects. Jeff Sullivan breaks down the deal.
• A different look at the issues with the Nats bullpen and how much help Doolittle and Madson help.
• Jorge L. Ortiz reports that the Nationals will likely try to add more relievers before the deadline.
• Eddie Matz notes that while Doolittle and Madson help the Nats, they still don’t have a “true closer” on their roster.
• Mark Feinsand examines the state of the trade market for relievers after the Doolittle/Madson deal.
• A’s vice-president Billy Beane explains that the team is building towards a new stadium which is about as optimistic a statement as I’ve heard from anyone in Oakland about a new stadium.
• The Nationals also got a huge win on Friday as a big court decision went their way in their long-standing battle with the Orioles over rights fees from MASN.
• Jon Heyman says the biggest problem that the Orioles have in going into full-sell mode at the trade deadline is owner Peter Angelos.
• Ken Rosenthal takes to Facebook (because he can’t write anywhere else) to explain the odd case of an Orioles draft pick who was signed after the deadline, and why MLB allowed the deal to go through. (Essentially, the Orioles were incompetent and it didn’t seem fair to punish the player. There was also no way MLB was going to declare him a free agent.)
• The Red Sox bowed to the inevitable on Friday as they designated third baseman Pablo Sandoval for assignment.
• Grant Brisbee doesn’t think there are many lessons to be learned from this debacle, but he tries anyway.
• Marc Normandin compares Sandoval’s contract to some of the other worst contracts in baseball.
• Jon Heyman thinks that Panda could end up back with the Giants.
• The Giants activated Madison Bumgarner from the disabled list and placed Johnny Cueto on it with blisters, which can’t be good news for a team that should be looking to deal Cueto. Even though Cueto will probably miss the minimum, that can’t help his trade value.
• Heyman has been busy as he reports that both the Yankees and the Red Sox have scouts watching the White Sox.
• Ken Rosenthal says that a deal that would send White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier to the Red Sox is “almost inevitable.” (And please note that link goes to a Dayn Perry story at CBS. I’m reduced to linking to stories quoting Rosenthal. Thanks, Fox Sports!)
• The Braves are “very open” to dealing Julio Teheran.
• Tommy Stokke says that Braves starting pitcher Jaime Garcia is increasing his trade value.
• The Astros are considering making an offer for Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija.
• The Rockies are interested in Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez.
• R.J. Anderson thinks that the Blue Jays will likely be limited sellers at the deadline.
• Gary Phillips looks at some Yankees trade targets.
• Heyman reports that the recently-released Chris Carter will likely sign with the Rangers or the Athletics.
• Yankees starter Michael Pineda needs Tommy John surgery and will likely have the procedure done this week.
• Charles P. Pierce explains why fighting with the Boston media has always been a losing game and that David Price shouldn’t try. That was my biggest fear with the Jose Quintana deal. Would he be able to deal with the pressure of the Chicago media?
• Buster Olney examines exactly how robot umpires might work. Plus a bunch of other stuff because Buster is only allowed to write one day a week now. Hey, that’s one more day than Rosenthal gets.
• Joe Sparacio has some surprising players who are playing just as well as superstars this season.
• David Schoenfield has one key goal for all 30 teams in the second half.
• Jerry Crasnick looks at which of the best first-half teams will keep it up in the second half. The Dodgers are a pretty safe bet.
• Travis Sawchik examines the three cities that commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned as possible expansion cities: Montreal, Charlotte and Mexico City.
• Long-time broadcaster Bob Wolff died at age 96. The broadcast booth at Nationals Park is named after Wolff, who was the announcer for the first televised Senators game in 1947.
• I can’t really explain this bizarre play involving Matt Holliday in less than a dozen paragraphs, so just read it yourself.
• The Red Sox protested the game.
• Derek Jeter’s attempt to buy the Marlins is being hindered by Jeter wanting total control of the team, both the baseball and business sides. Which is a problem because he’s not putting up the majority of the money.
• Evan Grant looks at the life of Prince Fielder in retirement. He says that while “it sucks” that he can’t play baseball anymore, he’s very happy with his post-baseball life. (h/t Hardball Talk)
• The Class-A Lexington Legends and Delmarva Shorebirds played a 21-inning game over two days this week and one poor minor leaguer struck out a record eight times in one game.
• Meanwhile, pitcher Stacy Piagno got a win for the independent Sonoma Stompers, becoming the third woman to win a professional men’s game since 1950.
• We all know that Reds shortstop Zack Cozart is getting a donkey. Now the Reds are soliciting suggestions for the donkey’s name. I don’t think they’re going to beat Adam Dunnkey, but I might be wrong.
• Nelson Cruz got hit by former teammate Derek Holland, which caused him to pretend to charge the mound.
• Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo lost a ball in the sun and the Royals got a walkoff hit.
• And finally, speaking of Japan, these NPB mascots tore into the new Chiba Lotte Marines fish mascot and ripped the skin right off of him at the NPB All-Star Game.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.