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Washington Nationals: Five possible starting pitching trade targets

By Monty Taylor

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11: General manager Mike Rizzo of the Washington Nationals looks on during batting practice against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game Four of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 11, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11: General manager Mike Rizzo of the Washington Nationals looks on during batting practice against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game Four of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 11, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JULY 1: J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the first inning during MLB game action against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on July 1, 2018, in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JULY 1: J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the first inning during MLB game action against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on July 1, 2018, in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

J.A. Happ

The most common rumor floating around the league these days regards Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ. He could be one of the better rental options for the Washington Nationals.

Despite a bloated 4.44 ERA this season, he was selected to the All-Star Game and has 10 wins.

What makes Happ so enticing is that he’s a mid-rotation starter with a contract that expires at the end of the year. The team that acquires him will be able to upgrade their rotation without losing a big prospect.

And if he doesn’t work out, the team will only have to employ him through the end of the season. While Happ wouldn’t be a flashy move for anyone, it could be a difference-making upgrade, especially for the Nats.

The journeyman southpaw makes the most sense for the Nationals if they are just looking for a cheap option that provides them with depth. Acquiring Happ or even Nathan Eovaldi from the Rays would provide the Nats with another experienced starter without jeopardizing the future.

From a prospect standpoint, perhaps someone like Jackson Tetreault may be enough. The Nats 11th ranked prospect according to MLB.com has an underwhelming 3-7 record with a 4.54 ERA. But he has turned things around of late and strikes out more than a batter an inning.

Next: Which prospects could the Nats deal?

The Washington Nationals rotation has been arguably the main cause of their demise lately. If the team does indeed buy at the trade deadline, expect them to add a starting pitcher.

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