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Washington Nationals: Could they reunite with Wilson Ramos?

By Blake Finney

ST PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 24: Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a three RBI single in the second inning during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field on May 24, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 24: Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a three RBI single in the second inning during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field on May 24, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The Tampa Bay Rays come to D.C. this week. But can the Washington Nationals have a reunion with current Rays catcher, and former fan favorite Wilson Ramos?

The Washington Nationals are currently in the midst of a two-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays are in sell mode after they dealt Alex Colome along with former Nat Denard Span to the Seattle Mariners. But could another former National in Wilson Ramos make a return to D.C.?

When Matt Wieters went down with an injury in Arizona in mid-May, it looked like Pedro Severino‘s time to shine. However, he’s been slumping of late, leaving catcher as a potential need for Davey Martinez’s men.

One point to note here is that Severino does also have a minor league option remaining this year. This means he can be sent to the minors without exposing him to waivers. So say Wieters were to return this year, they could send Severino to Triple-A, while carrying Ramos and Wieters on the major league roster.

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The Buffalo, as he was known during his time at Nationals Park, has just one year remaining on his contract with the Rays. This makes him one of their assets that’s modt likely to be traded. It seems like a match made in heaven.

The main sticking point is going to be the cost, given the Rays catcher would only be a rental. But when you look at their return for Span and Colome, two extremely desirable pieces, it may not be as much as you think.

Both had multiple years left on their deals, notably Colome with two years of arbitration. The Mariners only gave up two prospects, and neither are currently in the Rays top 30 prospects according to MLB.com.

So to get someone like Ramos who is only under contract for 2018, Mike Rizzo may only need to give up a low-ranked, high ceiling prospect.

Perhaps a player such as Telmito Agustin may tempt the Rays to send The Buffalo back to Nats Park. Agustin is currently ranked as the Nationals 27th prospect but has been lighting it up with the Potomac Nationals this season. He’s hitting .386 with a great 1.070 OPS, giving him nice upside for the Rays.

Next: Nats nail day one of MLB Draft

Regardless of whether he really is a trade target, Washington Nationals fans will be delighted to see a healthy Wilson Ramos this week.

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