Washington Nationals: Recent Trade Rumors
By Max Rayman
With less than a week till the trade deadline, it looks like the end of an era for the Nationals.
After going 19-9 in the month of June, the wheels have fallen off for the Nationals. Since the calendar flipped to July they have gone 5-16, plummeting out of the division race. On the season they are 45-54, have lost five straight, and are eight and a half games behind the division-leading New York Mets.
The trade deadline is just a few days away and Washington is on the verge of a firesale. The team has been engulfed in trade rumors that we will be trying to navigate.
Max Scherzer To Be Traded In The Next 48 Hours?
Over the last two weeks, the Nationals have gone from potential buyers to fielding offers for Max Scherzer. Scherzer is undoubtedly the best player available on the trade market and will have teams salivating at the chance to have him anchor their rotation. Despite being a rental, Scherzer will have plenty of suitors.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported earlier today that a Scherzer trade could happen soon.
Teams pursuing Scherzer believe Nats want to act within next 48 hours to create time to work through his no-trade. Chances of Scherzer making his start Thursday seem remote. Scratched from last start due to right triceps discomfit. Teams might ask: How do we know he is healthy?
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2021
Scherzer’s contract will be difficult to operate around. The Washington Post’s Jesse Doughtery recently tweeted out how much of Scherzer’s contracts interested teams would have to pick up.
So what's left is about a third of his $35 million for 2021, which is deferred until 2028. That's what any acquiring team would be on the hook for, though the Nationals could up their return by taking on some of that money, too.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) July 27, 2021
Keep an eye on the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, and the NL West. It was reported that both the Mets and Tampa were interested in acquiring Scherzer’s services. For Tampa, this is a bit of a surprise due to them never spending much in the past. With a stacked farm system, they could always attach a top prospect if the Nats eat most of the contract.
New York would love to team up Scherzer with Jacob deGrom, but it is super super super unlikely Washingtons ships out their ace to a divisional rival. This morning, it was announced that Scherzer has his eyes on the West and is in the driver’s seat for a trade. After all, he has 10-5 rights and can veto any trade.
Trea Turner Could Be On His Way Out?
Two weeks ago it was assumed that Trea Turner was off-limits in trade talks. After all, he is only 28, won’t be a free agent till after the 2022 season, and is fifth in the majors in fWAR (4.2). On the season, he is hitting .320, with 18 homers, 49 RBIs, and an OPS of .887. He has swiped 21 bases in 24 attempts.
Yesterday, teams were thrown for a loop when Peter Gammons reported that Washington’s ownership was unlikely to work out a long-term deal with their superstar.
Keep hearing Washington ownership isn’t going to do anything long term with Tre Turner. Talk about a market changer…
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) July 26, 2021
Since then, teams have started to gauge the market on Turner, with Seattle emerging as a potential destination. For Nationals fans, this is devastating news. The speedster is just another example of a homegrown positional player who hasn’t been locked up long-term and may end up leaving.
Nationals are getting a lot of interest in Trea Turner, according to person familiar. Sounds like they haven’t ruled out dealing him, but would need to be presented with a total no-brainer of a deal.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) July 26, 2021
Working out an extension for the shortstop is a must, but if ownership believes a deal won’t be reached, maximizing his trade stock is the way to go.
Max Scherzer's Presence Will Always Be Felt In D.C.. dark. Next