Washington Nationals Acquire Roenis Elias from Seattle Mariners
The Washington Nationals have acquired Roenis Elias from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for two pitching prospects. The prospects heading to the Mariners include Elvis Alvarado, a right-handed reliever currently in the Gulf Coast League, and Taylor Guilbeau, a top 15 prospect in Triple-A. Joel Sherman of the New York Post was the first to officially report the trade.
Elias traded to #nationals
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2019
Roenis Elias in 2019
Elias has pitched 47 innings in 44 games for the Mariners this year. He has also recorded 14 saves in 16 opportunities to go along with 45 strikeouts. The reliever has walked 17 and carries a 1.26 WHIP. He has a strand rate of 65.6 percent and is striking out 22.2 percent of batters.
Elias uses a traditional three-pitch mix of fastball, changeup, and slider. However, he rarely throws the slider. Elias was the primary closer while Hunter Strickland, who was also dealt to the Nationals on Wednesday, spent time on the 60-day IL earlier this season.
Roenis Elias with the Nationals
The Cuban-born lefty will help the Nationals bullpen despite his reverse splits. According to Blake Finney of SB Nation, “Elías actually has reverse splits so far this season, so is likely coming over [as] a late-inning reliever rather than a lefty-specialist. Lefties are slashing .353/.441/.549 off of Elias this season, compared to a .182/.238/.341 line for right-handers.”
Elias has given up a BAA of .271 to the National League East with four extra-base hits. He will try to keep the ball on the ground in a slightly more hitter-friendly Nationals Park. Elias will continue to be under club control through the 2021 calendar year, but will be arbitration-eligible next season. For his career, Elias has actually pitched better away from home, so maybe a change of scenery on the east coast will help him, and the Washington Nationals.
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