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Buy or sell: Evaluating the NL contenders at the trade deadline

By Joshua Sadlock

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 16: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 16: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 06: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Nationals Park on July 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. The Nationals are paying tribute to the Montreal Expos by wearing retro jerseys. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 06: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Nationals Park on July 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. The Nationals are paying tribute to the Montreal Expos by wearing retro jerseys. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

1. Washington Nationals: Buy

The Nationals were looking like sure sellers at the deadline in the middle of May, but have exploded up the standings over the course of the last two months. Washington now holds the top NL Wild Card and can’t even be ruled out of chasing down the Atlanta Braves for the division title. Since their lowest point at 19-31 on May 23, the Nats are 31-13.

Several things have led to the Nationals reversing course and getting back into the playoff picture. Getting Anthony Rendon, Trea Turner and Juan Soto back to full strength has been a huge boost. The starting rotation, led by Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin has also been dominant. All three will receive Cy Young votes, and Scherzer should be the favorite to win his third in four years.

Veteran reliever Fernando Rodney has also helped provide some much-needed stability to the Nationals beleaguered bullpen, but that is still the team’s most glaring weakness. Mike Rizzo and the Nats front office will be on the hunt for relief help at the trade deadline. The team could also use a bench bat, as they haven’t gotten much out of Ryan Zimmerman, Yan Gomes, Brian Dozier and Matt Adams.

Washington will definitely be buying at the traded deadline as they look to return to the playoffs — without Bryce Harper. The Nats are still looking for their first ever playoff series win and have a lot to prove, but they are a dangerous team who should still be considered a World Series contender.

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