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Initially the trade that sent right-handed reliever Brandon Kintzler to the Chicago Cubs drew confusion from Washington Nationals’ insiders. Trading Kintzler was the only move the Nats completed ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. After speculation of a possible fire sale, the Nats decided against, keeping the team intact with hopes of a late push for the postseason sans Kintzler.
If you're going to trade Brandon Kintzler why not also consider trading other veterans potentially playing their final games in DC? Why hand pick one random guy to deal while standing pat and getting a little bit worse?
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) July 31, 2018
The move didn’t get Washington under the luxury tax and only yielded a Single-A minor league pitcher. However, it appears dumping salary was not the motive for trading Kintzler.
According to Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, “Kintzler was shipped out because the Nationals believed he was responsible for anonymous reports that painted Washingtonās clubhouse culture as iffy.”
A report surfaced on Monday that a player described the team’s clubhouse as a “mess.”
Outfielder Adam Eaton has already refuted the report, calling the accusations “completely false.”
Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post added that trading Kintzler was more about his “willingness to speak his mind in the clubhouse as his performance.”
“Some within the organization speculate the deal was as much about Kintzlerās willingness to speak his mind in the clubhouse as his performance. Kintzler was open about the effects his usage and workload had on his performance, though he was pitching to a 3.45 ERA in 45 appearances this season. He was a major presence in the clubhouse, leaned on by veteran starters and less-experienced relievers alike for advice on mechanics and approach.”
Kintzler has been outspoken during his time with the Nationals, who they acquired last July in a trade from Minnesota. Kintzler was vocal about previous manager Dusty Baker’s management of the bullpen, accusing Baker or not communicating with relievers beforehand with plans. Kintzler pointed to Baker’s dismissal as a bonus to get him to re-sign with the team last winter.
Ironically, a report surfaced earlier this season about relievers questioning now manager Dave Martinez’s management of the bullpen. In light of the latest development, it may not be surprising if Kintzler was one of the culprits to that story?
Nonetheless, the team is prepared to move on from him. Washington acquired Kelvin Herrera earlier this season, making Kintzler expendable. It remains to be seen if the subtraction of Kintzler is all that was needed to change the mindset of the clubhouse, however, the Nats responded to the relatively idle approach to the trade deadline by putting up a franchise-record 25 runs against the New York Mets in a 25-4 win.
