Nationals: Ranking The Nats Needs At The 2021 Trade Deadline

The Washington Nationals are in a perplexing situation. They have lost 12 of their last 17 games, own the worst farm system in baseball, and are riddled with injuries. Despite all this, they are only six games back of the Mets for first place in the NL East.

New York also finds itself engulfed in injuries, just having placed both Francisco Lindor and Jacob deGrom on the IL. With the Mets struggling as of late, the Nationals smell blood in the water. General Manager Mike Rizzo has hinted that the Nationals can either buy or sell at the upcoming Trade Deadline.

But the National’s upcoming schedule is favorable, with matchups against the Orioles, Phillies twice, and Braves on the horizon. The National’s farm system will prevent them from making any serious noise, but if they want to catch the Mets, they will need to bring in reinforcements.

Shoutout to our friends over at Reviewing The Brew for the article idea.

Here are the National’s three biggest trade needs if they do indeed become buyers.

Nationals Trade Deadline Need #3. Bullpen Depth

Entering the season, the Nationals bullpen was projected to be a position of strength and it started off as such. But injuries to Tanner Rainey, Will Harris, Luis Avilan, and Kyle McGowin have put a strain on those remaining. Daniel Hudson and Brad Hand have carried the backend of the bullpen, but they need help.

Kyle Finnegan, Austin Voth, and Wander Suero have had their moments this season, but they have all spent time on the IL at one point this year.

On the season, Washington’s bullpen is 19th in ERA (4.46), 18th in FIP (4.30), and 17th in fWAR (1.4). Tanner Rainey’s return will help, but that won’t be enough. With Rainey, Hand, and Hudson in tow, the Nats don’t need to splurge on a high-end closer. With teams entering a bidding war for Craig Kimbrel, the Nats should set their eyes on under-the-radar pieces such as the Marlins John Curtiss and Dylan Floro.

Bolstering the bullpen to be able to bail out the starting rotation is a need. The Nats cannot afford for any more of their relievers to be overworked.

Nationals Trade Deadline Need #2: Another Productive Infield Bat

Washington’s offense has some key pieces in Trea Turner, Juan Soto, Kyle Schwarber, and Yan Gomes. But with Gomes and Schwarber sidelined with injuries, the offense has lacked the extra production.

Josh Harrison has been impressive this season, hitting .282 with an OPS of .757, but he’s been more of a table-setter. The swiss army knife has mainly manned second, but has also spent time in left and at the hot corner.

With the announcement that Starlin Castro would not be rejoining the team this year after he was placed on the restrictive list due to domestic violence, the Nats are now in need of a third baseman.

Despite not playing a game for the Nats since July 11, Castro is tied for second on the team in hits with 89. He lacked power, but his ability to get on base will be missed. However, Mike Rizzo and company made the right decision.

The Nationals are thin at depth and don’t have a reliable replacement for third. Josh Harrison has played third in the past, but the Nationals still need to make an acquisition. Former top prospects Luis Garcia and Carter Kieboom have impressed as of late in the minors, but there hasn’t been much movement on that front.

Recently, the Kansas City Royals have stated they are willing to take offers on Witt Merrifield. Merrifield has been one of the most productive second basemen since entering the league in 2016, but it would cost a pretty penny to acquire his services.

The same could be said for the Pittsburgh Pirate’s Adam Frazier. The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of a massive firesale and the face of the franchise Kris Bryant has been tied to the Nats in the past. Is this the time Rizzo finally pulls the trigger?

The Nationals farm system is going to hold them back from making a massive splash, but there are still some intriguing under-the-radar players available on the market.