The Washington Nationals haven’t reached the playoffs since winning the World Series in 2019, getting stuck in a prolonged rebuild. Despite sitting well below the .500 mark entering MLB games today, it appears Washington could be buyers at the MLB trade deadline.
Based on conversations with executives around the league, Jim Bowden of The Athletic believes that the Nationals are looking to acquire an ace this summer to pair with MacKenzie Gore. If they can’t acquire a front-line starter in July, they’ll evidently make it a priority in the offseason.
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- Washington Nationals rotation stats (FanGraphs): 4.47 ERA, .248 batting average allowed (19th), 1.27 WHIP (16th)
The Nationals’ roster right now doesn’t suggest a single front-line starter would turn things around. Through 70 games, Washington ranks 22nd in OBP (.307), 27th in ERA (4.93) and it has the sixth-worst run differential (-61) in baseball this season.
Yet, per Bowden, ownership “could be willing” to now spend more money to strengthen this roster. While that influx of cash is likelier to come this offseason, all indications right now reportedly suggest Washington’s brass will have the green light to pursue big moves.
It would mean adding to a young core with some emerging stars. James Wood (.909 OPS) is playing at an All-Star level this season and CJ Abrams (.813 OPS) has responded well after last season’s demotion. As for MacKenzie Gore, he entered Sunday with the second-most strikeouts (114) in MLB and held a 2.88 ERA across 81.1 innings pitched.
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An obvious potential trade target for Washington would be Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara. However, the former NL Cy Young Award winner has a 7.14 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in his first season back from Tommy John surgery.
More likely, Washington will still operate as mini-sellers in July by trading veterans on expiring contracts. However, once winter arrives, the Nationals appear poised to splurge in an MLB free agency class that will include All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker along with starting pitcher Dylan Cease and Framber Valdez.
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