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Washington Nationals: Trading Victor Robles would be a huge mistake

By Blake Finney

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 14: Victor Robles #14 of the Washington Nationals celebrates in the dugout after scoring in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on September 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 14: Victor Robles #14 of the Washington Nationals celebrates in the dugout after scoring in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on September 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Trade rumors about the Washington Nationals and J.T. Realmuto continue to circle. But if they were to give up Victor Robles, it would be a huge mistake.

The MLB Trade Deadline is tomorrow, and there are bound to be a ton of Washington Nationals rumors in that time. The talk around Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto won’t die down, but to get him the Nats would need to surrender Victor Robles.

Realmuto is a game-changing player behind the plate right now. He has a 3.6 WAR, which is 17th in baseball and fifth in the National League. And this is while playing significantly fewer games than those above him.

There’s no doubt about Realmuto being one of the best players at his position and in the NL overall. But, Victor Robles is a steep price to pay, even for someone so talented.

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Robles is the definition of a five-tool player, with the ceiling of a perennial All-Star and possible MVP. Remember, this is a player who’s ranked in the top six or seven prospects across the board in rankings.

Last season he hit .300, with a .382 OBP and a .875 OPS across two minor league levels. He also added 10 homers and 27 stolen bases to his tally, and he still has more power to come as that’s improved in each of his professional seasons.

We also saw him flash plenty of leather throughout Spring Training, where he was one of the stars and looked destined for an early-season call-up. Now back from the shoulder injury he suffered in April, he’s waiting in the wings in Triple-A if needed.

Overall, you’re talking about a player who plays just as good, if not a better, center-field than Michael Taylor and has a batting profile similar to that of Anthony Rendon. And you would have him on a rookie contract through the 2023 or 2024 season depending on service time moving forward.

An outfield of Juan Soto, Victor Robles and either Bryce Harper on a contract extension, or Adam Eaton if Harper leaves, would be one of the best in baseball for years to come. And no disrespect to Taylor, he just doesn’t quite have the complete bat to compete with any of those four guys.

The final factor is that the Nationals are sitting at just .500 with a couple of days until the trade deadline. Even if they make a trade for J.T. Realmuto now, they still have a massive hill to climb in the division.

The Nats could wait until the off-season and see how things play out, given the Marlins will want to talk extension with their star backstop. If he decides he doesn’t want to go through the heavy rebuild, then the asking price may well lower and not require Robles to get it done. That would be the best time to pounce for the Nationals.

dark. Next. What could the Nationals get for Bryce?

Victor Robles will be a huge part of the Washington Nationals future if they hold onto him. And if they deal him, it could be a trade that they would regret for many years to come.

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