The MLB Trade Deadline is right in our front windshield. After August 3, no team will be able to complete a trade. At that point, the playoff push becomes real. Before that point, teams must find their assets deemed 'sell-high' candidates and get them on a jet out of town. Which Nationals fit that script? Try these three men.
Foster Griffin
Griffin is not only one of the greatest stories in our Nation's capital, but he is one of the best stories in the entire MLB. The man who is seemingly the Nationals' ace is back in the United States for the first time since 2022. He played in Japan 2023-25. Now, Griffin is tearing up the league with an All-Star appearance thanks to his 11-2 record and 2.68 ERA.
The smart thing to do might be to sell Griffin. It is tough to say when we are witnessing greatness, but how good can Griffin actually be in the long term?
Well, Griffin did put out elite numbers in Japan, so maybe his excellence can remain... Griffin posted a 1.52 ERA in 2025 and a 2.93 ERA in 2024. He seems to have found something, and has the All-Star appearance this year to prove it.
Nonetheless, Washington wishes to build through cheaper contracts via their youth: "small-ball." Trading Griffin may be a key to opening that door even wider. Let's see what calls Paul Toboni receives...
Luis Garcia Jr.
Luis Garcia Jr. may be the likeliest Nationals trade candidate. Per The Athletic, the Nationals are gaining keen interest from other teams regarding Garcia Jr. The 26-year-old first baseman has a .280 batting average and a .860 OPS. That features 21 home runs and 70 RBI's. His Fangraphs Offensive Rating is plus-12.1.
If the Nationals did trade Garcia Jr., they would have to go one of two ways at first base: Andres Chaparro or a trade-returned first baseman. It is a gap to fill, but then again, Garcia Jr. is mediocre in the fielding category with a plus-1 Fielding Run Value.
As well as Garcia Jr. is playing, it is not otherworldly. He is expendable, plain and simple. Especially in a season when the Nationals may make the playoffs but certainly won't win the World Series. Vegas values the Nationals at 500-1 to win the league's greatest honor; virtually impossible.
CJ Abrams
A CJ Abrams trade continues to be heavily rumored. The credibility of its happening is low. Abrams would have to return an absolute haul. Far above market value is what Paul Toboni would have to see—the odds of it being seen again are quite low. Kalshi's 'Players Traded' Market does not even have a market available on Abrams to be dealt, so that says that.
As for now, Abrams has two more years of team control. He will demand a bigger deal than his current 1-year $4.2 million earnings. The Nationals will still get that done, almost assuredly. Abrams has little leverage to demand a trade, whether now or in the offseason, at a higher price.
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