Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has done a tremendous job in almost every single trade he’s ever made. During the offseason between 2013 and 2014, Rizzo completed a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays that seems to have been a steal for the Nationals. Rizzo sent starting pitcher Nathan Karns to the Rays for catcher Jose Lobaton, minor league outfielder Drew Vettleson, and left-handed pitcher Felipe Rivero.

Lobaton has done a tremendous job serving as the Nationals’ backup catcher to starter Wilson Ramos. He’s one of the best game-callers and framers in all of MLB, and he will occasionally contribute offensively. The Nationals’ pitchers have had nothing but good things to say about Lobaton, and his presence has been invaluable.

Vettleson hasn’t advanced past Double-A, mostly due to injuries, but he’s got the swing and athleticism that gives him a solid shot to be a regular contributor at the major league level. He just turned 24 years old, and he has a career minor league batting average of .266 with a .324 OBP, 35 home runs, and 216 RBIs in 447 games. If he can stay healthy, Vettleson could be in the big leagues within a year or two.

The real prize of the trade is Rivero. When the deal was completed, Rivero was a starting pitcher, who had great upside, but he could never quite put it all together. This spring, Rizzo and the Nationals moved Rivero to the bullpen, and it might the best decision the team has ever made. In 2015, Rivero has a 2.12 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and a 19/3 strikeout to walk ratio in 17 innings.

For a 24-year-old who is in his first season in MLB, Rivero pitches like a veteran. He has a fastball that sits 95-98 mph, and he pairs that with a nasty slider. Over the past week or two, Rivero has been used in some late-game situations and has continued to impress. He challenges hitters in the strike zone, and he doesn’t fall behind hitters, with all the talk about the Nationals’ interest in a deal for Aroldis Chapman, Craig Kimbrel, or Jonathan Papelbon heading towards the 2015 MLB Trade Deadline, it may make more sense to stand pat, and allow Rivero to set up closer Drew Storen.

With his stuff, and his ability to pound the strike zone, Rivero should be the Nationals’ closer of the future. It may not happen next season, but by 2017 Rivero will be the Nationals’ closer, and he has the ability to become the most dominant closer in MLB.

Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.