RUMORS: Chicago Cubs interested in Nationals’ relievers Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard
The Chicago Cubs are interested in two Washington Nationals relief pitchers, Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard, according to Chicago Sun-Times’ Gordon Wittenmyer.
Jul 19, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Tyler Clippard (36) throws during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit:
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Wittenmyer also notes, neither Storen nor Clippard are free agents and would have to be acquired by trade. Both have experience as a closer and were not in that role for the Nats in 2013. Adam Kilgore of the Washington post identifies Cubs’ outfielder Nate Schierholtz and left-handed reliever James Russell as a couple of fits for the Nats.
Storen, 26, was the Nats closer in 2011 and pitched 75 1/2 innings over 73 games, finishing with a 6-3 record with 43 saves and a 2.75 ERA. During the off season, he had elbow surgery and shared the closer role with Clippard. In 2013, he posted a 4.52 ERA with a 1.362 WHIP. The Nats’ No. 1 pick (10th overall) in 2009 is under team control through the 2016 season.
Clippard, 28, has a 2.77 ERA with 10.2 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 over the past six seasons with the Nats. In 2012, he recorded 32 saves and posted a 3.72 ERA with a 1.156 WHIP, 10.4 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 as the Nats’ closer. This past season he posted a 2.59 ERA with an astounding 0.859 WHIP.
Both right-handed relievers pitched in the 2012 National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Storen earned the save in Game 1, win in Game 4, and surrendered a two-run single to Pete Kozma that lost the series for the Nats. Clippard pitched one inning in Games 1, 4, 5 and struck out five, walked one, and gave up one home run.
The two relievers are also roommates during the season.
For more Chicago Cubs conversation and updates follow us on Twitter @CubbiesCrib and Like our Facebook page at Cubbies Crib.