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Pirates Trade Mark Melancon

By Marty Leap

Jul 17, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mark Melancon (35) prepares to pitch against the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning at Nationals Park. The Pirates won 2-1 in eighteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mark Melancon (35) prepares to pitch against the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning at Nationals Park. The Pirates won 2-1 in eighteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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After four dominant seasons as a Pittsburgh Pirate, Mark Melancon has been traded to the Washington Nationals for multiple players.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded closer Mark Melancon to the Washington Nationals. In return the Pirates will receive left-handed relief pitcher Felipe Rivero, as well as “multiple prospects.” Right now, those prospects are unknown.

This brings Mark Melancon’s four year tenure in Pittsburgh to an end. In those four years, Melancon was one of the absolute best relief pitchers in baseball. In 260 1/3 innings pitched for the Pirates Mark Melancon had a 1.80 ERA, 2.27 FIP, and a 2.69 xFIP. Mark Melancon was also a three time All-Star.

One of the players coming to the Pirates in this trade is left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero. Rivero is in his second Major League season, and has a 4.53 ERA this season. However, do not let his high ERA fool you.

In 49 2/3 innings pitched this season Rivero is averaging 9.60 K/9, and just 0.72 HR/9 and 2.72 BB/9. Furthermore, Rivero’s 3.26 FIP indicates he has pitched much better than his ERA. And his 3.61 xFIP indicates better things are to come. Rivero is also under team control through 2021 which is absolutely awesome.

With Mark Melancon now a Washington National, I would look for Tony Watson to become the Pirates’ closer. As the dominoes fall, I’d imagine Neftali Feliz will be Watson’s primary set up man. As for the other set up man, I would like to see it be Juan Nicasio, who I wrote about today.

Next: Breaking Down Steven Brault's Second Start

Mark Melancon gave the Pittsburgh Pirates four fantastic seasons. Melancon played a big role in turning the ship around in Pittsburgh, and he will forever be one of my favorite Pirates. Thank you, Mark. As more information about this trade is made known, we will have it covered here at Rum Bunter.

UPDATE 3:15 PM

According to Jon Morosi, one of the prospects coming to the Pirates is Taylor Hearn. Hearn is a left-handed pitcher who has a 3.18 ERA, 3.88 FIP, and is averaging 12.31 K/9 at Low-A this season.

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