MLB Trade Deadline: 5 moves Washington Nationals should make

With the MLB trade deadline approaching, here are five moves the Washington Nationals should make.

The Washington Nationals are approaching the trade deadline as a team that is clearly in the category of being a ‘buyer’, amid a push to hold on to their grasp atop the National League East. And as recent history has shown, the correct acquisition in such a tight division can make all of the difference in sealing a trip to the postseason, especially in the NL East.

Look no further than last season to see the difference in what the right addition can make when set against one that misses the mark. While their closest competition in the New York Mets acquired Yoenis Cespedes a year ago and enjoyed a seismic shift in the power balance within the division, the Nationals’ key acquisition of Jonathan Papelbon had the opposite effect on their fortunes. Papelbon displaced already entrenched closer Drew Storen and in turn ruined both the team’s balance and chemistry simultaneously.

General Manager Mike Rizzo would be wise to avoid repeating his missteps from a year ago while tweaking his midseason roster. He has a team that has a solid core, but would definitely benefit from a few specific amplifications on his roster makeup. There are a number of solid fits for what the Nationals both lack and need to fortify to hold their foothold in the NL East, and in all actuality, it could be a year where making multiple moves will be necessary in order to assure they push through what should be a competitive National League pennant chase.

With that said, here are five of the best fits that could be had for the right price and a plane ticket to D.C.

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