Washington Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo talked after the trade with Miami’s Marlins for right-hander Kyle Barraclough this winter, about hoping for a bounce-back campaign from the reliever after a rough second-half for the then-28 and now-29-year-old in 2018. Rizzo and Co. on the Nats’ front office acquired Barraclough from the Fish in return for international slot value which Miami needed as they pursued and ultimately signed Victor Victor Mesa and his brother Victor Mesa, Jr.
“We took advantage of —” Rizzo began in an interview with 106.7 the FAN in D.C.’s Sports Junkies, “— Miami was trying to come up with some international spending money to do what they’re trying to do, and we thought it was a good value for Barraclough who — his stuff is terrific, has had some early success in the big leagues, struggled a little bit in the second half of last year, but we’ve seen enough of him up close and personal to know what his capabilities are.