MLB Trade Rumors: 5 players to get the Washington Nationals back on track

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 29: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals congratulated by Bryce Harper #34 after hitting a home run during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 29, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 29: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals congratulated by Bryce Harper #34 after hitting a home run during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 29, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Cole Hamels, MLB Trade Rumors, Philadelphia Phillies
ARLINGTON, TX – JUNE 25: Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the San Diego Padres in the top of the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 25, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

3. Cole Hamels

The Nationals have not yet been linked to Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels, but they should at least monitor his trade market. Hamels is coming off an ugly start last time out, but that will not do much to slash his trade value. He is a veteran left-hander with a long track record of success in the playoffs. Hamels needs a change of scenery and an exit from Texas, where his stuff and fly-ball style never quite worked.

This is an all-in type of year for the Nationals, and there isn’t another starter on the block that is realistically within the team’s reach besides Hamels that can provide a substantial upgrade to the rotation. As good as Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard would look in a rotation with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, the New York Mets are going to demand a king’s ransom for either, and should force teams in their own division to pay a little extra.

Scherzer and the surprising Jeremy Hellickson have helped keep the Nationals rotation afloat while Strasburg recovers from shoulder inflammation, but the staff needs reinforcements to get back in the hunt. Tanner Roark, dinged for nine runs in his most recent start, and Erick Fedde are pitching themselves out of the rotation.

Washington needs to do whatever it takes to win this season, even if it means taking on a large portion of the money owed Hamels over the rest of this season and next. He is familiar with the NL East and should see his numbers rebound with a switch back to the National League.