As the July 31, 2025 MLB Trade Deadline approaches, the Washington Nationals once again find themselves in familiar territory: selling. Just like in recent years, when the front office moved fan favorites like Jesse Winker, Lane Thomas, and Jeimer Candelario, this year figures to follow a similar path. With the club deep in another rebuilding season, Interim GM Mike DeBartolo has several veterans drawing league-wide interest, and the Nationals have already started making moves.
On Saturday, the Nationals traded utility man Amed Rosario to the Yankees in exchange for a pair of intriguing prospects. The return included 26-year-old Clayton Beeter, the Yankees’ No. 20 prospect (MLB Pipeline), a hard-throwing reliever with a K/9 near 15, and 18-year-old Browm Martinez, who has been tearing up the DSL with a batting average over .400. That deal may be the first of several, as names like Kyle Finnegan, Josh Bell, Michael Soroka, and Nathaniel Lowe continue to surface in trade rumors.
We recently highlighted the five most likely Nationals to be moved at the deadline. But what about the next tier? Three more under-the-radar players, Alex Call, Luis García (the pitcher), and Andrew Chafin, have played well enough to at least enter the conversation. Whether as standalone pickups or secondary pieces in a larger deal, they could quietly be on the move as contenders round out their rosters and the Nationals look to continue stockpiling assets before July 31.
Alex Call – OF (Age 30)
A former third-round pick of the White Sox and a 2022 waiver claim from Cleveland, Alex Call developed into a steady contributor in D.C. The 30-year-old isn’t viewed as part of the Nationals’ long-term plans, but he’s carved out a reliable role as a versatile bench piece. He’s played all three outfield spots, flashed one of the strongest arms in the league, and delivered quality at-bats in a lineup that has often lacked consistency.
Through 70 games in 2025, Call is slashing .280/.377/.394 with 3 home runs and 26 RBIs. While he doesn’t bring much power, he excels in contact and on-base ability, ranking among the league’s best in chase rate, walk rate, and strikeout rate. He’s also hitting .328 against lefties, making him a valuable short-side platoon option.
He displayed this on Saturday, when he entered after a Jacob Young injury and went 2-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs, including a pinch-hit RBI single off Twins All-Star Joe Ryan. That performance helped the Nationals snap a 23-inning scoreless streak. He followed it up with another multi-hit, multi-RBI game yesterday.
Call. Crushed. pic.twitter.com/V6xOBb29Hu
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) July 27, 2025
Call recently cracked CBS Sports’ list of the top 30 most impactful players who could be moved before the deadline, landing at No. 29 overall. As CBS put it: “At this stage of the game, it would be prudent to ship him to a contender seeking a short-side platoon player who traffics mostly in singles and walks.” With Dylan Crews, James Wood, Daylen Lile, Jacob Young, Robert Hassell III, and Andrew Pinckney already crowding the outfield picture, moving the 30-year-old Call would make sense to free up space and playing time for the younger core.
Luis García – RHP (Age 38)
Luis García the reliever (not the infielder) emerged as one of the biggest surprises in Washington’s bullpen this month. After posting a rough 5.27 ERA in 28 games for the Dodgers and getting DFA’d in late June, the 38-year-old signed with the Nationals in early July in what looked like a minor move. But since arriving in D.C., García appears completely rejuvenated and suddenly like a legitimate trade chip.
In 9.0 innings with the Nats, García has allowed just one earned run, giving him a sharp 1.00 ERA with only a few hits and one walk allowed.
Just as notable is the velocity. He’s regularly sitting at 99 to 101 MPH, the hardest he has thrown since 2022, while also generating one of the best groundball rates in the league. That combination of efficiency and power gives him a clear “wow” factor that could appeal to contenders in search of bullpen help. García believes his early-season struggles in Los Angeles resulted from tipping pitches, a mechanical issue he says he has corrected since arriving in Washington.
With over a decade of big-league experience and a long track record as a journeyman, García still has the tools to get outs in big spots. At league-minimum salary, he presents a cheap, low-risk option for contenders looking to add power and depth to the bullpen.
The small sample size and his age limit the upside, but García’s resurgence could be enough to net the Nationals a flyer prospect if a bullpen-needy team decides to take a chance. If the right offer comes, Washington should not hesitate flipping him while his stock is high.
Andrew Chafin – LHP (Age 35)
A midseason signing that flew under the radar at the time, Andrew Chafin has turned into a quietly reliable arm for the Nationals. The veteran lefty signed a one-year deal with Washington on May 1 after dominating in Triple-A for Detroit. He’s delivered exactly what the Nats hoped for: stable bullpen innings and some trade value down the stretch.
In 25 outings since joining the club, Chafin owns a strong 2.33 ERA over 19.1 innings, striking out 18 and holding left-handed hitters to a minuscule .152 batting average. He’s a clear candidate for a contender looking to shore up its bullpen depth. Aside from a brief IL stint in June, Chafin remains healthy and dependable.
With 12 years of MLB experience and over 500 career appearances, Chafin brings more than just results. Known for his quirky, old-school look with a mustache and high stirrups, he’s pitched in big moments before and commands respect as a clubhouse presence. Traded at last year’s deadline from the Tigers to the Rangers, a similar move this July would make sense for the Nats.
For a competitor in need of a reliable left-handed reliever, Chafin qualifies as an ideal rental. The Nationals have no long-term commitment, and his one-year deal renders him a prototypical trade chip. Don’t expect a huge return, but a team like the Mets or any playoff hopeful short on lefty arms could make a move for him.