Washington Nationals: Should they stick, twist or fold?

The Washington Nationals are heading towards a franchise-defining decision this July. In 2018, should they stick, twist or fold at the trade deadline?

In the midst of a poor run, the Washington Nationals are hurtling full speed towards a franchise-altering decision. What should they do with the trade deadline looming this month?

Nobody would’ve pictured the Nats being anything other than buyers heading to the deadline, but recent form means a decision is looming. They’ve lost 10 of their 13 games, and 19 of 29 since the start of June.

Their record fell below the dreaded .500 mark for the first time since May 2nd. The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are also a lot better than was expected at the start of the year. So it’s looking like a long way back to make the playoffs.

The trade deadline is always a date circled many times on any MLB executive’s calendar. A chance to set your team’s course for the rest of the year, or for the future.

So the Nationals currently have three options on how to deal with the date:

• Stick – Don’t make any big moves, maybe add a small piece
• Twist – Make a big move, acquiring one or two difference makers
• Fold – Trade away players in an effort to top up a reasonable farm system

In this article, we take a look at what will come with each approach, and who may be moved in that scenario. Then decide which is the best course of action for the Nationals. First, what happens if the Nats hold firm with what they have.

Stick

Obviously, holding firm and staying with their current crop of players is the safe approach for the Washington Nationals. But there is some reason to believe they’d do so.

First off, we start with the biggest potential trade chip, Bryce Harper. It’s fair to think that the Nationals do actually have a good chance of re-signing him in the off-season. So to increase those chances they should hold onto him.

Seeing as he’s trying out first base again, that could well be his long-term home in Washington. Therefore, a trade could potentially sour that relationship, especially if they sell low, agent Scott Boras won’t be happy.

But with the Nationals, coming into the year, the roster they had was good enough to make the playoffs. So sticking with this team, and seeing if they can turn it around could still allow them to sneak into a wild card race.

Also, a factor is that the Nats farm system is somewhere in the middle of the road, so they aren’t keen to deplete this for rentals.

In a stick scenario, the Nats could still make very minor moves that would only cost low-end prospects. So perhaps a middle reliever, or a catcher like A.J. Ellis that wouldn’t cost much in terms of prospects.

Again, this would be the safest approach, and may well be the most likely for the Washington Nationals.

Twist

This is certainly the boldest move the Washington Nationals could make in the lead up to the deadline. And depending on how Mike Rizzo views their chances of rebounding, he could add to his team.

The Nationals will likely still keep Juan Soto and Victor Robles untouchable, no matter the player. But pieces like Carter Kieboom, Luis Garcia, and Yasel Antuna are names to watch.

Would Rizzo be prepared to severely deplete his farm system for a J.T. Realmuto type? Unlikely. But going out to acquire say a Jonathan Lucroy or Wilson Ramos at the deadline would still be a splash.

To go along with a shiny new catcher, another starting pitcher to replace Tanner Roark or Jeremy Hellickson in the rotation wouldn’t go amiss. Perhaps a Cole Hamels type, or even Chris Archer if they wanted to package him with Ramos.

And to top it off, you can never have too many bullpen arms these days. So perhaps a trade for Craig Stammen as a true long-man with versatility would top off a championship caliber roster.

In reality, they may well only make one or two of these moves, but a marquee addition would be a big signal of intent.

Which should the Nats do?

In terms of which option the Washington Nationals go with this season, it all depends on the period before the All-Star break.

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If they can rally with seven more wins in ten games, expect them to be buyers to make a wildcard push. Although going all guns blazing for a winner takes all playoff game, when you have Max Scherzer, it’s a better bet than it may seem.

Obviously, a catcher will be the number one priority, so if they are buyers, that will be the first position to address. Wilson Ramos is the most logical addition. He knows most of the pitching staff and would be a huge upgrade offensively.

However, should they lose more than they win and sink below .500 after their series with the Atlanta Braves in mid-July, expect a limited sell.

Unless someone blows them away with an offer (like Aroldis Chapman in 2016), Bryce Harper is unlikely to move regardless. But there would be plenty of teams looking to acquire Matt Adams, Gio Gonzalez, Ryan Madson, and Kelvin Herrera.

The Nats have a young core that should still compete next year, even if all their pending free agents leave. So the likes of Anthony Rendon, Trea Turner, and Adam Eaton won’t be going anywhere at the deadline.

It would just be a quick top-up for the farm, getting what they can for expiring players. Nothing drastic, allowing the team to try again next season.

Next: Grading the Nats Bats

It’s a crucial run-in to the All-Star break for the Washington Nationals. If they can pick up enough wins, or drop too many it could drastically change the trade deadline strategy.