Well, this could be a first — trading one Tanner for another Tanner.
The Washington Nationals did just that Wednesday at MLB winter meetings in Las Vegas, trading starting pitcher Tanner Roark to the Cincinnati Reds for reliever Tanner Rainey.
#Reds today announced the acquisition of RHP Tanner Roark from the Washington Nationals in exchange for RHP Tanner Rainey. pic.twitter.com/45bgb6kqWa
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) December 13, 2018
Washington was shopping Roark in Las Vegas after signing free agent lefty Patrick Corbin last week. Roark was otherwise going to be the Nationals’ likely No. 4 starter in the rotation.
Roark went 9-15 with a 4.34 ERA in 30 starts last season, allowing 9.0 hits per nine innings. He spent the last six seasons with Washington.
In exchange, the Nationals acquire a right-handed relief pitcher in Rainey who made his major league debut last season. Rainey, 25, made eight appearances for Cincinnati — but in just seven innings pitched, he allowed four home runs and walked 12 batters as opposed to only seven strikeouts.
Rainey spent most of last season at Triple-A Louisville, where he fared better, so he is not a likely candidate to start 2019 in Washington.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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