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Washington Nationals News: Mike Rizzo looks to bolster Nats’ bullpen, offense

By Pablo Roa

Jun 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (R) talks to general manager Mike Rizzo before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (R) talks to general manager Mike Rizzo before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Today’s District Daily features stories on the Washington Nationals’ trade deadline plans and how the Nationals, Cubs and Giants are the teams to beat in the National League.

Good morning DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Start off your day with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.

In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discusses the Nationals’ plans for the Aug. 1 trade deadline. As Ladson writes, general manager Mike Rizzo is satisfied with the team he has but is looking to bolster the Nats in a few different areas.

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First and foremost, the Nationals are looking to bolster their bullpen. According to Ladson, improving the bullpen is the team’s top priority this summer, and the Nationals are interested in left-handers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman of the Yankees.

Ladson also says the Nationals could be interested in adding a bat to the lineup. As Ladson writes, outfielders Carlos Beltran and Jay Bruce could be good fits for the ball club.

Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Thomas Boswell discusses why the Nationals are one of the best teams in the National League. As Boswell writes, if the Nationals continue to dominate their opponents in the second half, they may very well be on their way to their first World Series title in team history.

In their way, of course, are the Cubs and the Giants. Those two teams, according to Boswell, are the only ones that might be better than the first-place Nationals right now.

Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.

GM Rizzo looks to bolster Nats in hopes of World Series run

(Bill Ladson, MLB.com)

WASHINGTON — The Nationals are in first place, six games ahead of the Marlins and Mets in the National League East, and they’d like nothing more than to increase that lead after the All-Star break.

Before the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline, the Nationals will look to improve their bullpen, and maybe even add a bat to the starting lineup. If they do add a position player, it would likely be a corner outfielder. That would also mean that Bryce Harperwould move to center field, a position he has played 121 times in his career. The last time he played the position was last year. Read full article here.

The Nationals, Cubs and Giants are the three best teams in the National League

(Thomas Boswell, Washington Post)

How good are the Nationals? The facts are pretty clear. The Nats are one of the three best teams in the National League, along with the Cubs and Giants. You can throw a (small) blanket over all of them. Nobody in the American League looks quite as solid as any of those three.

Next: Washington Nationals 2nd Half X-Factor: Tanner Roark

Perhaps, because Washington was brutalized nationwide for its 83-79 record last year, then spent the offseason blowing up everything from its bullpen to its medical staff to its manager and coaching staff, you were loath to believe in the Nationals of 2016. Better be patient. Wait for the kids down on the farm, the Turners and Giolitos, to arrive and develop. Yet, suddenly, it appears clear that last season was an aberration, the one bad and injured year in what is otherwise a succession of extremely fine clubs. Read full article here.

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