MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Nationals should make
The Washington Nationals addressed their biggest need, but to make a World Series run, the Nats need to stay active at the MLB trade deadline.
It finally happened.
The Washington Nationals cruised to the top of the National League East with the best record in baseball in April, and have stayed atop the division standings with a comfortable lead since. Nevertheless, the team had a huge, gaping hole on the roster that plagued its opportunity to completely pull away, and cast a shadow over the club’s chances of finally winning a postseason series – not to mention the World Series.
Through the first 90 games of the season, the Nationals bullpen posted a 5.27 ERA, which is the worst in the major leagues. Washington relievers allowed a .278 batting average and surrendered 1.62 home runs per nine innings, both of which are the highest averages in baseball. The Nats bullpen posted -0.8 Wins Above Replacement, according to Fangraphs, which is also the worst in the major leagues.
The bullpen blew leads with regularity. There was a revolving door at closer. Fans complained. Manager Dusty Baker complained. But finally, the Nationals made a move to address the need by acquiring Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for reliever Blake Treinen and two prospects.
Both Doolittle and Madson have closing experience (though neither held that role primarily this season), as well as a history of success getting hitters out in high leverage situations. This year, the lefty Doolittle posted a 3.38 ERA with 31 strikeouts and three saves in 21.1 innings. Madson, a right-hander had a 2.06 ERA with 39 K’s and one save in 39.1 innings. The pair combined for just eight walks.
The Nationals have finally addressed their biggest need ahead of the MLB trade deadline, but will it be enough? With the Dodgers looming in the postseason, Washington should take a long look at these five potential trades before July 31.
Needs
Additional Bullpen Depth
We shouldn’t expect the Nationals to stop looking for relievers. The bullpen was so bad in the first half of the season, and the unit itself has been so thin, Washington is likely to add at least one more middle relief option to work the seventh inning. Acquiring a closer isn’t out of the question, either, especially since neither Doolittle or Madson handled the primary closing duties for the A’s this season.
Catching Depth
The Nationals made an odd move to sign free agent catcher Matt Wieters in the offseason, and the 31-year-old has hit a largely disappointing .248/.299/.382 through his first 72 games with the club. Worse, Wieters has been one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball according to the advanced framing metrics at Baseball Prospectus – an overlooked factor in the bullpen’s struggles to date. Backup Jose Lobaton has been much better behind the plate, but adding a better defensive backstop for the stretch run could help the pitching staff as a whole and the bullpen in particular.
Assets
Baseball Prospectus Organizational Talent Ranking: 20
MLB.com Top 100 Prospects: 3
MLB.com Top 10 Prospects
- Victor Robles, OF
- Eric Fedde, RHP
- Juan Soto, OF
- Carter Kieboom, SS
- Andrew Stevenson, OF
- Austin Voth, RHP
- Pedro Severino, C
- Luis Carcia, SS
- Rafael Bautista, OF
- Drew Ward, 3B
The Nationals don’t have a great farm system from top to bottom, thanks in large part to the Adam Eaton trade that sent Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the Chicago White Sox over the offseason. However, Washington has enough mid-to-low level prospects to land one or two more relievers to add bullpen depth.
Also, the Nats held on to one of the best prospects in baseball, Victor Robles, who is currently ranked No. 5 overall on MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospects list, and the top ranked outfielder. All indications are that the Nationals intend to keep Robles as their center fielder of the future.
However, it’s important to never say never, and if the Nats front office can make a deal to give the club the best chance to win the World Series, Robles could be available. However, it would probably need to be a blockbuster deal for a huge name like Giancarlo Stanton, which is highly unlikely at this point.