The trade deadline is of the of most pivotal times of the year across all of baseball. Top contending teams will make moves towards a title run where struggling teams will shed short-term assets for long-term ones. Team management is always going to be a chess match, and should a GM be savvy enough, they will win the day.
Pointing Towards an October Run?
As July approaches, many big names will rise to the headlines. These big names will include Rafael Devers, Luis Robert and Sandy Alcantara. Given the Nationals situation right now, they are unlikely to be majors players in said markets.
The Nationals are watching an emergence right now amongst their young core. Mackenzie Gore and James Wood thrive as Dylan Crews looks to break into that trio himself. The team also owns many top prospects that aim to be up with the team in the next year or so. Mike Rizzo has what he wants regarding young talent, and to trade any of them away would simply be a risky transaction to consider. Thus, making a huge splash at the deadline for a top rumored name would appear to be a very unlikely option.
Generating Future Picks
A reality that the team can face, however, is to trade some mid-tier names. This list includes guys like Kyle Finnegan, Jacob Young and Nathaniel Lowe.
Kyle Finnegan is quietly having a fantastic season back as the Nationals closer. He currently carries a 2.43 ERA with 15 saves in the process. If the Nationals get to the deadline as sellers, teams may find Finnegan to be a very attractive solution at the closing position. The position is vital to winning a championship, and there is little doubt that Finnegan can help a contending franchise.
Jacob Young is another option that the team may consider to shed off their roster. In his third year with the team, Young has been nothing but average. He currently is batting just .227 and he only batted in the .250's in his previous two seasons. Nothing is overly attractive, but should a team need a utility guy, perhaps the Nationals may get some quick assets without risking much in the process.
Nathaniel Lowe is another utility veteran that a team can look to add from Washington for a cheap price. He currently is batting just .220 with a sub-700 OPS , and it is with much doubt that any fan could consider him a vital piece for the future. Like Young, if a team needs a quick bat to add to their depth, perhaps the Nationals can attain a prospect with promising long-term upside.
The Reality of the 2025 Roster
The Nationals future appears quite clear. The team sits at a subpar 25-30 record. They are in little position to say any big move would create a title run, and a realist would have to know that is with very little probability. To trade any key players - all young players - would be irrational. To trade any key prospects as well, would also be irrational. The best the fans can hope for is to trade off some low-risk players and pad the farm system. Should any big name be an option, that shall likely be a free agent addition come this offseason.
Savviness is not a popular option at the deadline this year. However, creativity always make for fun hypotheticals. Let us know what you think the Nationals can do come this July. @jetbets on X