The trade deadline is August 2nd this year. That leaves teams 12 days to either deal for any pieces that can help them compete or get rid of any pieces that could ensure a quicker rebuilding process. The Washington Nationals are expected, like last year, to sell at the deadline, and are looking to move pieces like Josh Bell, Nelson Cruz and Carl Edwards.
And then there is the Juan Soto factor. Soto just turned down an offer to stay in Washington. The Nats denied him the use of their planes to make it to the All-Star Game. Soto has made it clear that he wants off the Nats, and whether it will happen this month or during the offseason is up to what teams are willing to offer. I do think that...pulling together a Soto deal in 15 days when teams weren't sure he'd be on the block at all is a bit tricky, but it could definitely happen. If Soto changes hands this deadline, I won't be too shocked.
But the thing is...where does that leave the Nationals? Uh...not in a great place.
I think that getting rid of Bell and Soto could free up a bit of room for them in terms of budget. The team misguidedly has two more years of Patrick Corbin and FOUR MORE YEARS of Stephen Strasburg. Keep in mind, he hasn't pitched a full season for the Nats since they won the World Series. They re-signed him thinking they'd compete for years, he IMMEDIATELY lands on the IL, and has pitched 31.1 innings in the entire time he's been on that 2020 contract. He pitched ONE START this year, and he might not get another one. And the Nats have four more years to hope that he shows up again.
Then, at the same time, they don't have a lot of true lineup heroes left. Yadiel Hernandez is a decent outfield bat with a .264 average and 33 RBIs, but he's a 34 year old sophomore who seems to have passed his peak years in foreign leagues. Victor Robles is a great defender but he still can't hit. Keibert Ruiz is decent but is still building towards his peak. Luis Garcia is hitting .294 but his defense is dragging him behind. And there are so many replacement players here that it's kind of puzzling that the Nats are still keeping some minor league pieces down. Of course, you look at the Rochester Red Wings and you see a team filled with lots of career minor leaguers and late-20s/early-30s guys. The Nats are being careful with Cade Cavalli, but are they more eager to end the season pitching people like Joan Adon and Erick Fedde? Probably.
I don't think this team's gonna get any better if Soto leaves. I don't know if a trade piece is gonna land their way that's gonna change everything, because Keibert Ruiz is not that guy and neither really is Josiah Gray. I think they might need to tank for a few seasons and see if that leads them anywhere. Sucks that teams still need to do that, but hey.
Coming Tomorrow- A long-haired reliever for a short-staffed team.
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