MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Nationals should make

4. Trade for Pat Neshek

Another short-term option that could pay big dividends for the Nationals, Pat Neshek has been outstanding this season for the Philadelphia Phillies. An 11-year major league veteran journeyman pitching for his sixth team, Neshek has a 2.78 career ERA, along with a 3.62 FIP and 1.029 WHIP, and he’s seemingly gotten better with age.

Neshek was selected to his second All-Star Game at the age of 36, and has posted a sparkling 1.21 ERA along with a great 2.10 FIP in 37.1 innings across 40 appearances this season. The side-arming right-hander has 40 strikeouts, which work out to 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings – his best since 2008. Also, having surrendered just 27 hits and five walks, Neshek has a 0.857 WHIP that would be his best since 2014 – his first All-Star season.

Neshek is a 36-year-old middle reliever in the final year of his contract. Simply put, a rental. As such, and unless the going rate has changed for a veteran reliever in his mid-to-late 30s, even as an All-Star, it’s highly likely the Nationals could pluck Neshek from the Phillies for a low-level prospect, cash considerations or the ever-popular player to be named later. If it works out, the Nats could probably sign him to an affordable one-year deal for 2018. If not, the club could walk away.

Even if the asking price is higher, Washington should make an attempt to add a pitcher like Neshek to the bullpen mix. In doing so, the Nationals could turn their biggest weakness through the first half of the season into a second-half strength.