Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Comments on Nationals, Jonathan Papelbon

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has a plan for how the Washington Nationals can recover from their disappointing 2015, and it starts with trading closer Jonathan Papelbon.

"First of all, they need to get rid of Papelbon," McConnell told Politico on Tuesday (h/t Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com). "Getting in fights with the most valuable player in the National League strikes me as not a team-building exercise."

Acquired in a midseason trade from the Philadelphia Phillies, Papelbon was apparently an oil-water mix with the Nationals clubhouse after his arrival. The situation culminated with a late-season dugout scuffle with outfielder Bryce Harper. Papelbon was ultimately suspended four games for the incident and recently filed a grievance against the Nationals, looking to recoup lost salary. 

Still, those within the Nationals clubhouse see the issue as being nonexistent.    

“Papelbon and Harper are fine together,” a person within the Nationals organization told Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post. “Harp just wants to win. All he cares about is that we have a 45-save relief pitcher who’s going to help us.”

Clubhouse discord at the very least played a part in the dismissal of manager Matt Williams, who has since been replaced by Dusty Baker. It does not appear the Nationals have any plans of trading Papelbon at this time either, with general manager Mike Rizzo recently telling reporters the current plan is for him to return.

Even if the Nationals were to follow McConnell's request, they may have a tough time. Papelbon has 17 teams on a no-trade clause, per Crasnick. (Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.)

The senator offered additional advice, saying the club needs help in the outfield and starting rotation. 

"I think they need a solid, good-hitting outfielder because Jayson Werth is getting older and not playing many games anymore," McConnell told Politico (h/t Ted Berg of For the Win). "We could use another starter, although I think this young guy, Lucas Giolito, down in the minors, might be their answer to Jordan Zimmermann’s departure."

At the very least, it appears Washington agrees with McConnell regarding his outfield comment. The club made an aggressive effort to sign Jason Heyward before he agreed to an eight-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported the Nationals actually offered Heyward a $200 million contract, which is more than what he signed with in Chicago.

Either way, it's unlikely the senator's words will do much to sway Washington's offseason plans—even if he does sound like a generally knowledgeable fan.

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.