Which AL contender needs Daniel Murphy the most?

The Washington Nationals need to get serious about finding Daniel Murphy a home in the American League for the rest of the year.

It has been pretty obvious for the past two weeks that this is just not the year the Washington Nationals imagined back in April when they were a trendy World Series pick yet again. Injuries and an inconsistent starting rotation and bullpen have dragged them down to a sub-.500 record and have sent their playoff hopes down the drain. With several key veterans on expiring contracts, now is the time for the Nationals to look reality in the eye and start thinking about next year.

All-Stars Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy have been placed on revocable trade waivers by the Nats, but it remains supremely unlikely that Harper is dealt. Murphy, on the other hand, absolutely should be moved before the end of the month. He is an obvious fit in the American League, where he can take time off from playing the field and DH most nights. Murphy has also begun playing more first base since coming off the disabled list, but there is no room for him to play there every day in Washington, where Ryan Zimmerman is still under contract beyond this season.

After a slow start coming off the DL, Murphy has been red-hot at the dish. He is hitting .347/.365/.556 with four home runs and 12 RBI in his past 19 games. Murphy remains one of the purest hitters in the league, even if he runs poorly and defends at an even lower level. The 33-year-old is one of the best bets in baseball to go to the plate and make hard contact in a pressure situation.

The Nationals should be doing everything they can to move Murphy for financial relief or a solid prospect. He needs to be on the roster of an American League World Series hopeful before the start of September. Of the remaining teams in the AL with a shot at the playoffs, cross the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners off the list of potential landing spots. The Red Sox are simply too good and should focus on adding to their bullpen if possible. The Mariners, meanwhile, already look tapped out on financial flexibility and have one of the worst farm systems in baseball. Even if they do want Murphy, they just don’t have the resources at their disposal to make a viable offer.