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MLB Rumors: 5 players the Nationals should trade for

By Joshua Sadlock

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 14: Ken Giles #51 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the ninth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park on May 14, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 14: Ken Giles #51 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the ninth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park on May 14, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 24: Wilson Ramos #40 of the New York Mets hits a solo home run in the top of the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 24, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 24: Wilson Ramos #40 of the New York Mets hits a solo home run in the top of the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 24, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3. Wilson Ramos

It is highly likely that All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos would still be a member of the Nationals had he not suffered a serious knee injury at the end of the 2016 season. Ramos had really come into his own that year after getting offseason LASIK surgery to correct his vision. He hit .307/.354/.496 with 22 home runs and 80 RBI in 131 games, and won his first Silver Slugger.

Since recovering from his second torn ACL, Ramos has continued producing in the upper echelon of catchers. He has hit .293/.343/.471 over the past four seasons and made his second All-Star team in 2018. Ramos signed with the New York Mets last winter and continues to put up solid numbers in his age-31 season, hitting .270/.343/.414 with nine home runs and 41 RBI. He has come on strong after a slow start in April, hitting .284/.361/.480 over the past two months with eight home runs and 24 RBI in 46 games.

The Nationals attempted to fill their void at catcher last offseason by trading for Yan Gomes and bringing back veteran Kurt Suzuki for a second stint with the team. Suzuki has put up numbers on par with Ramos in 47 games of action, but Gomes has been terrible. The 31-year-old is hitting just .220/.304/.317 in 51 games with three home runs and 20 RBI. Gomes is under contract through the end of the season, and the Nationals may just choose to cut ties now if they can replace him.

Ramos remains one of the best offensive catchers in baseball, but his defense has suffered as he enters his 30s. His biggest issue this year has been throwing out runners, but he would bring a high level of familiarity with the Nats staff. A duo of Suzuki and Ramos would give the Nationals a very formidable backstop duo.

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