It's almost that time of year again where some teams make irrational and panicked decisions while others are to scared to put themselves out there. Either way, most fanbases don't end up getting what they want, but that's just trade deadline season. The deadline is about 2 months away and there are questions that need to be answered in terms of what the Washington Nationals should do in terms of being buyers or sellers.
Buying would give them a chance in such a tumultuous division to compete in. While on the other hand, selling would bolster an already top 10 farm system in the league. Or, they could do a little bit of both, hear me out.
Sellers
As it currently stands, the Nats aren't going to be a playoff team. This is in part due to many of those one year prove-it deals I spoke about in the beginning of the year are starting to backfire. Nathaniel Lowe, who started off hot has not been the same player of the past month after coming over via trade from Texas. Furthermore, Josh Bell has not been the same player he was in the 2021-22 for the Nationals and had been almost unplayable until a recent hot streak. My colleague Stephen Newman discusses both of these guys in much more depth in his article "Nationals players tanking their trade value."
However, these are veteran players that contending teams may want on their roster in case of injury. With that the Nats could get a decent package in return of extremely young raw prospects probably Single-A guys. However something is better than nothing, and Mike Rizzo does have a good track record in terms of trade returns. Selling will also give the Nationals the opportunity to continue to call up young talent and give guys the opportunity to play and gets reps in while also being immediate contributors just like they did with guys like CJ Abrams and James Wood when they were called up.
Buyers
It is also important to note that the Nationals have not been in the playoffs since winning it all in 2019. This fanbase has been patient in waiting for young prospects to excel and "trusting the process." However, it is also time to see results and effort from the front office to compete for a championship. With that said, while they aren't a playoff team currently, they are only 5 games out of a Wild Card spot with plenty of baseball to play.
Trading for a middle-of-the-order bat or additional bullpen help could be just the thing that sparks this team to go on a run. SImilar to the Mets at this time last year, who were not in contention at all, they ended up making an incredible run. The Nats have the assets to go out and get help for the current contributors and should take advantage of that.
Let me know your thoughts! Should the Nationals be buyers or sellers or both?