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MLB trade rumors: Top 25 trade assets for deadline

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 24, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) smiles while on deck during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) smiles while on deck during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 19, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (12) walks off the field after a pitching change against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (12) walks off the field after a pitching change against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Victor Robles

The Nationals were aggressive in trade talks last winter, but balked at the idea of parting with their top prospect, Victor Robles, a 20-year-old stud and future franchise player. Having had an opportunity to see just how awful his bullpen is this season, GM Mike Rizzo may be ready to reconsider trading MLB’s number-five overall prospect for an elite closer.

Robles is a complete five-tool prospect with a mature approach at the plate for someone so young. He is a dynamic athlete all over the field and will continue to add power as he builds his 185-pound frame up closer to 200 pounds. Robles has a great command of the strike zone and good instincts on the bases.

In his first full season at the High-A level, Robles has approached a .300/.400/.500 line. He is on track to approach 15 home runs and steal 30 bases. There is nothing not to like about his makeup as an MLB prospect. It will take an elite closer and perhaps a setup man to get the Nationals to include Robles in a deal. If he is traded for a closer, it may have to be a one-for-one deal, but even that might be a stretch.

Washington went deep into their farm system to trade for Adam Eaton, and they are weaker all around because of it. With only three MLB top-100 prospects in the system right now, it may be hard to pull off the type of trade that can help push them to a World Series without parting with Robles.

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