Kelley traded to A's for international bonus slot value

Shawn Kelley's tenure with the Nationals officially came to an end today when the club traded the veteran reliever to the Athletics in exchange for international bonus slot value.

Kelley had been designated for assignment Wednesday, the morning after he upset team officials when he slammed his glove to the ground after giving up a home run in the top of the ninth inning of a 25-4 rout of the Mets. That transaction unofficially ended his time with the Nationals, but officially they had seven days to either trade him, pass him through waivers or release him.

In the end, the A's made an offer to acquire the 34-year-old, sending the Nats extra money they can now use for signing international prospects next summer. The Nationals also are sending cash to Oakland, offsetting the $1.83 million still owed Kelley this season.

Signed to a three-year, $15 million deal prior to the 2016 season, Kelley was an integral part of the Nats bullpen that first season but battled injuries and a penchant for serving up homers in 2017. He struggled again with both early this season but had rebounded over the summer, and prior to his final appearance was the owner of a 2.59 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.

Inserted for the top of the ninth inning of what was at that point a 25-1 game, he wound up allowing three runs (capped by the home run, which prompted him to slam his glove to the ground and then stare at the Nationals' dugout).

Kelley insisted his frustration was over conflicting messages he was getting from two umpires about his pace on the mound, and that he was looking for support from his dugout. General manager Mike Rizzo felt the veteran reliever was acting in a "selfish" manner and was "disrespecting" manager Davey Martinez, and the following morning designated Kelley for assignment, only one day after fellow reliever Brandon Kintzler was surprisingly traded to the Cubs for a Single-A pitcher.

Now Kelley will get a chance to continue pitching for a contender, joining an A's pitching staff that already includes former teammates Blake Treinen and Edwin Jackson.