The Washington National’s General Manager, Mike Rizzo, was trying to trade for either a set-up man or reliever. However, they didn’t want to trade their top prospects for the available set-up men, so he chose a closer, Jonathan Papelbon, who was previously 29 of 31 in save opportunities. He had a healthy, tough attitude that the Nationals were attracted to. However, he didn’t do well during the season (including loser to the Mets), and almost ended up fighting Bryce Harper in the dugout.
In Jonathan Papelbon, Nationals got their closer — and their kiss of death