Fansided

Grading every team’s World Series chances after the trade deadline

By Brad Weiss

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 29: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals in action during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 29, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals came into the 2018 MLB season with very high hopes, possessing one of the better lineups in the National League, and some elite arms. However, first-year manager Dave Martinez has not gotten the job done, and the Nationals are currently looking up at the likes of the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.

Entering July 31, the Nationals were 5.5 games out of first place in the NL East, so their season was not over by any means. Still, they are going to have to play some consistent baseball if they want to get back in this thing, as the hourglass is starting to move in the wrong direction.

Incredibly, on the eve of the trade deadline, star outfield Bryce Harper was suddenly deemed available by the team. Whether or not they were just posturing to see what they could get for him, it was a sign that maybe the Nationals were throwing in the towel on the season, and were looking to move Harper for pieces for the future.

In Harper, you have a young guy who has already won an MVP Award, and while  his batting average is down this season, he is still one of the better home run hitters in the National League. The only National that ended up getting traded was reliever Brandon Kintzler, who ended up going to the Chicago Cubs.

Next. No, the Nats are not going to trade Bryce Harper. dark

Harper is still with the team after the expiration of the trade deadline, as they are going to try and get to a Wild Card with the hand they currently have. It has been an incredibly disappointing season so far in our Nation’s Capital, but there is two months left, so anything can happen for those close to a Wild Card spot.

Grade: C

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