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MLB Trade Rumors: Washington Nationals interested in Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 26, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) dives back to first base in the eighth inning of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. The Rockies won 9-7. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) dives back to first base in the eighth inning of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. The Rockies won 9-7. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Nationals are showing interest in Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon. But will the Rockies trade him?

One of the very few weaknesses of the Washington Nationals this season has been center field. Michael A. Taylor has not been able to hold down an everyday job and neither has Ben Revere. The Nationals are reportedly being aggressive in filling that hole as the trade deadline, as they have expressed interest in trading for Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon.

As Morosi notes, the Nationals haven’t gotten offense out of center field. Revere and Taylor both serve as the leadoff hitter whenever they play. It’s quite telling that the Nationals have the lowest OPS in the majors out of the leadoff spot.

Blackmon might not help solve their leadoff struggles as he is not a traditional leadoff hitter. However, he does have a .305 batting average and a .368 on base percentage. Not perfect for a leadoff hitter, but the Nationals could do far worse. Blackmon stole 43 bases in 2015, but has stolen just 10 in 2016. His 108 OPS+ shows that his numbers are more than just a product of playing half of his games at Coors Field.

The Nationals would have control over Blackmon for the next two seasons. He is arbitration eligible after the 2016 season and would become a free agent after the 2018 season assuming he is not re-signed. A hold up in the trade, according to Ken Rosenthal, could be that the Rockies might not be selling since they are off to a strong start to the second half.

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