Free-agent reliever Alex Colome is drawing interest from five MLB teams, including the Washington Nationals, according Robert Murray of Fansided.
The Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox are the other four teams interested in Colome.
Colome, 32, spent the last two seasons with the White Sox. There he posted a 2.27 ERA with 42 saves in 83 appearances. In 2020, he was superb, posting a 0.81 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 12 saves in the coronavirus pandemic-shortened season.
He has working ties with decision-makers on each team interested. That includes Nationals manager Davey Martinez and recently-hired pitching coach Jim Hickey during part of Colome’s six seasons with Tampa Bay.
Washington nearly traded for Colome in 2019, according to Jesse Doughtery of the Washington Post.
The Nationals are looking to add quality pitching to their bullpen given the club’s recent struggles over the past two seasons. After overcoming their nearly historical bad bullpen to win the World Series in 2019, their struggles were just as glaring in 2020.
Last season, the Nationals’ bullpen had a 55% save percentage while posting a 4.68 ERA and 1.498 WHIP.
