Washington Nationals: 5 potential mid-season trade targets

The Washington Nationals have made several significant mid-season trades over the last few years. Here are five potential mid-season trade targets for 2018.

The Washington Nationals have been linked to several big-ticket free agents this off-season, yet they have remained relatively quiet. They re-signed Brandon Kintzler and Howie Kendrick, in addition to inking Matt Adams, but they have not made any drastic roster moves.

While it does not make for the exciting off-season that most fans would prefer, the Nats were expected to lay low. They did not lose much after 2017, and they had in-house replacements to cover their losses, so there was no need to splurge.

It is still possible that they sign a big-name free agent in the coming weeks before Spring Training, but it becomes increasingly likely every day that they stay put. They could certainly use a catcher or starting pitcher, but their in-house options are adequate, at least for now.

However, if their in-house candidates are not effective in the first half, the Nats could make a few moves at the trade deadline. This would not be anything out of the ordinary, as the Nats have made significant mid-season trades in each of the previous few seasons.

As Mike Rizzo often says, “The division is won in the off-season; the World Series is won at the trade deadline.” Well, as things currently stand, the Nats are all but guaranteed to win the division. Now, they need to make the necessary moves at the trade deadline to put themselves in a position to win it all.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at five potential mid-season trade targets for the Nats.