The dust has finally settled around the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, and it was genuinely one for the ages. Whether it was Carlos Correa returning to the Houston Astros, Mason Miller heading to the San Diego Padres for one of the top prospects in baseball in Leo De Vries, there were a ton of notable moves.
While the Washington Nationals didn't end up pulling the trigger on their ultimate trade chip in lefty ace MacKenzie Gore, they did make a bunch of really solid moves that should pay dividends down the line. The Nationals, who are among the worst teams in the league this season, offloaded a handful of players to contending teams, and hopefully we will get to see them make an impact in the postseason.
Elsewhere around the league, there were a couple of other Nationals players that ended up finding new homes, and found themselves on the move this season. While the Nationals are no stranger to having former players move on to new homes, especially in the NL East, there were 2 former members of the Nationals organization that found their way back to the division, and were the only 2 former Nats that ended up on the move.
Erick Fedde
This deal actually took place a few days ago on July 27th, as former Nationals' 1st-rounder Erick Fedde was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Fedde's trade came just days after he was designated for assignment by the Cardinals after a brutal season for the redbirds.
In typical Nationals fashion, he had the best game of his career earlier this season against his former club in DC, as he fired a complete game shutout in his return to Nationals Park. It was an embarrassing performance by the Nationals, and Fedde owns a paltry 3-11 record to go along with a 5.22 ERA and 1.505 WHIP. It was an interesting buy-low opportunity from the Braves, who just need enough healthy starting rotation arms to get through what has become a nightmare season for them.
Dane Dunning
The other former National who found himself on the move is reliever Dane Dunning, who went from the Texas Rangers to the Braves back on July 17th. Dunning, who technically never appeared for the Nationals, was also a former 1st-rounder of the club, picked 2 years after Fedde, and was a big piece of the trade package that brought Adam Eaton to the Nationals.
Dunning was acquired by the Braves as the club was in search of arms earlier this month, and he has finally begun to embrace a full-time relief role after years of bouncing back and forth between the bullpen and rotation for the Rangers. His numbers this year are nothing special, with a 4.41 ERA and 1.163 WHIP in 8 games. He was acquired by Atlanta for righty Jose Ruiz.
What do you think of the former Nationals who found themselves on the move? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.