MLB Trade Rumors: Will Nationals be buyers at MLB trade deadline?

Jul 21, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Ross Ohlendorf (43) throws during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

The Washington Nationals are in a great position at the MLB trade deadline to make a move for a big name like Matt Garza of the Chicago Cubs, but should they?

Washington is now 48-50 and a full seven games behind the leader in the division.

Have the Nationals earned the right to act as buyers?

Washington Post’s Thomas Boswell sure doesn’t think so:

"Even if the Nats have a chance to add Jake Peavy of the White Sox or Yovani Gallardo of the Brewers, who both are under team control through ’14, the Nats should only make the deal based on the assumption that almost all of the value is for next year. With Ross Detwiler on the disabled list, rookie Taylor Jordan on an innings limit, Dan Haren dragging a 5.61 ERA, Ross Ohlendorf just a gritty stop-gap vet and Jordan Zimmermann, who gave up seven runs in two innings on Sunday, pitching through neck pain for two months, adding one pitcher may not be enough to stabilize this rotation."

We’re inclined to agree with Boswell here. There’s no point in the Nationals giving up a huge haul for a pricey rental. At this point the best move would be to make a move for the future.

Sure, there’s a lot of baseball left to be played and anything can happen, but it’s time for Washington to invest in the future. Every team cannot be a contender each year and acting like they’re one this year could lead to serious issues down the road.

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