Washington Nationals: Possible August starting pitching targets

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If the Washington Nationals feel they need another starting pitcher, here are five names to watch in August. Although none are perfect, they would fill a needed hole.

One of the deepest concerns for the Washington Nationals going forward is the health of their starting pitchers.

Unlike the injuries on offense, losing a Max Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg will put a serious dent in Washington’s championship aspirations. With Joe Ross out for the rest of this year, and most if not all of next, the Nats will be fine. The division lead is such they are in a position of nearly impossible to catch.

We knew from the start when you add Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark to the starting rotation that these are the four taking the mound in the playoffs. Losing Ross hurt, but Edwin Jackson has filled in well.

Yet, as Scherzer’s neck cramps and Strasburg’s pinched nerve remind us, depth is fragile. If another starter goes down, winning in October becomes harder.

Although the non-waiver trade deadline passed Monday, teams can still wheel and deal. The process turns complicated as other squads can block deal by placing a claim on any player, but trades often happen in August. With the Nats holding a big lead in the NL East, there is not any incentive for the Miami Marlins, New York Mets or Atlanta Braves to interfere. If Washington needs another pitcher, chances are they get their target.

The other difference between July and August is the quality of the players available. This is not the prospect hunt of July, but more of an aging player or decent contract getting filled to plug a gap.

Perhaps a new catcher is worth a look, but the biggest potential deal is for another starter. Here are five pitchers to watch for that Washington could trade for before September dawns.

JUSTIN VERLANDER

With nearly $60 million left on his contract, the Detroit Tigers will place Justin Verlander on waivers. There is an excellent chance he clears. Then comes the hard part.

Still productive at 34, the Old Dominion graduate might welcome the chance to reunite with Scherzer and a championship contender, but any deal is complex.

How much money will the Tigers throw in to pay down the contract? In return, would Washington throw in a top prospect for the aging Verlander? As a player with ten years of MLB service and five years on the same club, would he allow a deal? He has full veto rights protected in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The 2017 version of Verlander is not the same as the six-time top five Cy Young Award pitcher. But, as a mid-rotation pitcher with playoff experience, he is worth pursuing.

At 6-7 with a 4.29 ERA and 1.438 WHIP, it is impossible to justify taking the full deal. The BB/9 is a career-high 4.2, walking 60 over 130 innings. Still, he has never lost an LDS game and is 7-5 overall in the postseason with a 3.39 ERA.

Even if he is interested and a package can be worked out, Verlander’s average annual value throws them well over the competitive balance tax limit. The Lerner family will make a decision based on that.

ERVIN SANTANA

Ervin Santana is enjoying a season for the ages, but Cinderella has grabbed her Viking hat and shouted “Skol!” as the Minnesota Twins good fortune ran out.

While the good Disney princess is in line for nachos and a brat at US Bank Stadium waiting for football, the Twins would like to cut some payroll and wait for next year. No question Santana’s name will be in the rumor mill this month.

The interest in Santana is genuine. An All-Star for the second time in his career, he enters August with a 12-7 record and 3.28 ERA in 145.1 innings. He has a whopping five complete games this year with three shutouts. The WHIP is a solid 1.108 and his 7.0 K/9 gets the job done.

But, his FIP is 4.81. Ouch. Santana gets outs, but allows a ton of home runs. Try 24 this year, the highest since 2013 with Kansas City. That year, 26 left the yard in 211 innings. Even solo shots sting in October.

Contract wise, Santana is under team control next year for $13.5 million. Again, taking him on furthers how far the Nats are over the revenue sharing tax. A trade here fixes the Ross problem for next year though. Not forced to be the ace, he fits a mid-rotation role with a matching price tag.

DAN STRAILY

Dan Straily is the Nats financial dream come true. He carries three years of team control for the price of an arbitration player. In 2017, he is pitching for the league minimum.

If the Miami Marlins think the mighty Nats are about to topple over, then this deal will never happen. Any chance of them contending rides on him. But, if the Fish stay 12-15 games out of first as August drags on, then all bets are off.

The Marlins are a hot mess. The team is for sale and cannot find a buyer to match the price wanted by Jeff Loria. Still reeling from Jose Fernandez’s death last fall, the team is doing well, but going nowhere.

Straily’s name came up in talks before the July deadline, but Miami did not like what they heard. Although a trade remains unlikely, if the Nats dangle the right name and the Marlins fade, a deal is plausible.

On the mound, Straily has excelled. Although the 7-7 mark and 3.79 ERA are pedestrian, his 1.192 WHIP is good. In 123.1 innings, he has fanned 111 while walking 35 and scattering 112 hits. On the back of a rotation, you take those numbers and run.

The 19 home runs will give you pause. Straily allowed a league-high 31 last season with the Cincinnati Reds. As big as Marlins Park plays, those fly balls scare you. His FIP of 4.30 shows he has luck.

Straily clearing waivers is not a lock. Because he is a cheap talent, other teams looking for depth can claim and offer Miami what they want. Although not likely, watch what the Nats do with him.

JEFF SAMARDZIJA

The implosion of the San Francisco Giants is stunning. They trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by 35 games, margins never seen in the storied history of these rivals.

Not moved in July, teams will check on Jeff Samardzija’s status in August. If the Giants want out of his deal paying him $19.8 million a year through 2020, they will listen.

As with Verlander and Santana, taking on Samardzija’s contract adds to their competitive balance tax bill. But, at 32, he gives you a performance of a 2-3 starter for a cheaper price tag.

The Giants are so bad, his 6-11 record means nothing. The 4.77 ERA is 1.2 runs higher than his 3.54 FIP. Samardzija can throw strikes through the head of a needle. In his 143.1 innings in 2017, he has 151 strikeouts mixed with 19 walks. For every walk allowed, he strikes out 7.95. A league-leading number.

As with Straily and Santana, long balls are a problem. So far, 22 have left the yard. Considering the size of the yards in the National League West that is an issue.

Like Verlander, the more of Samardzija’s contract they take, the less the Nats give. A pricey, but solid option.

LANCE LYNN

If the St. Louis Cardinals concede the 2017 season, Lance Lynn will be available.

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A free agent when the season ends, Lynn makes for a short-term rental where ever he goes. The Cardinals, who face many questions whenever their nightmare ends, are probably not offering a qualifying offer in fear Lynn will accept. If he rejects it, St. Louis can draft their own prospect. If not, they get nothing.

So, when they feel catching the Cubs/Brewers is no longer possible, the Cards must weigh on his future. Lynn has made a wonderful return from Tommy John surgery this year. His name surfacing as a rumor is a surprise. You would think they could strike a deal.

If not, Lynn’s 9-6 mark with a 3.20 ERA will draw interest from any contender. His 6.8 H/9 is the best by far over a full year and so is his 1.121 WHIP. Add extensive playoff experience and he is a valuable asset.

As with other names above, home runs are a problem. Already allowing 21, this is a career-high. His FIP is 4.82, another career-high by a mile. Considering the Nats will rent essentially for one October start guaranteed, it is a roll of the dice.

Next: 5 stories for Wrigley weekend

Although none of these names are an ace, they can fill a gap if the unthinkable happens. In August, you make trades to patch holes. Fill it right, and you win championships.

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