Nationals Firesale: Why They're Not Really Doomed

So. They may not have given up Bryce Harper, but the Nationals definitely made some statements yesterday in giving Matt Adams back to St. Louis, and giving Daniel Murphy to Chicago.

First of all, they confirmed that the real dead heat is the NL Central race, because both the Cubs and Cardinals are bloodthirsty and looking for some sort of playoff spot, while the NL East race is basically decided (it's the Braves, guys). Getting these two guys over there ups the ante for both, and makes either one a threat, along with the already surging Brewers, for the top spot. I'd say it's a little harder to predict now, though the Cubs currently have the division. Murph may be a pricy little replacement for Bryce Harper, but he'll definitely help them firm up the race. Adams, though, will have to compete with Jose Martinez and Matt Carpenter for first, and may just be a utility-swingman in a lineup that's already stocked with power.

What it says about the Nats, though? Well, who did they give up? Their second baseman, who'd missed half the year, and had been backed up by Wilmer Difo, and their backup first baseman, who'd competed with Mark Reynolds and the starter, Ryan Zimmerman, for time.

They gave up two players they didn't need. They're not competing, so they're lightening the battalion a little bit, and just getting a team they can finish the year with. They didn't lose anyone that left them crippled- they still have major pieces at 1st and 2nd, and aren't lost without Murph and Adams. They were honestly just high-priced backups this year, and if you're in third, and not making the playoffs, you don't need those.

This also means that they still have enough of a team where they can still theoretically compete in the future. I'm guessing it'll be without Harper, but the pitching, a lot of the lineup, and the general core of the team might stick around. Which is nice, I guess.