MLB Rumors: Nationals could once again help contenders with big bats

For MLB postseason contenders who need big bats to add to their lineup, the Washington Nationals may be the team to call.

The MLB trade deadline takes place on Aug. 1 and is a little over a week away as of this writing. Teams will now need to determine (and fast), whether or not adding contributing players to help them in their push for a postseason berth is the best course of action, or to sell their most valuable players to other teams to build toward the future. For the Washington Nationals, they can once again be the team that sells off players to contenders and build toward their future.

Washington did so last year when they traded away Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres. The year before that, they sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers. While they don’t have the star power of those names on their current roster, some names could be dealt at the trade deadline.

In a recent article from MLB.com’s Mike Petriello detailing his under-the-radar trade deadline targets, the Nationals have two players who make the list — third baseman Jeimer Candelario and outfielder Lane Thomas.

MLB rumors: Jeimer Candelario, Lane Thomas listed as under-the-radar trade deadline targets

Candelario isn’t much of a surprise, as he was listed as an early candidate to be dealt by the Nationals. Specifically, ESPN senior writer Buster Olney listed Candelario as a candidate for the New York Yankees to replace Josh Donaldson at third base. Just how good is Candelario? Well, Petriello writes that through this past Thursday’s games, Candelario is fourth in wins above replacement (WAR) among all third basemen.

This year, Candelario recorded a .257 batting average, a .334 on-bae percentage, a .478 slugging percentage, 15 home runs, 47 RBI, 51 runs scored, 88 hits, 81 strikeouts, and 31 walks in 343 at-bats (91 games).

As for potential fits for Candelario, Petriello lists the Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, and Yankees.

Thomas is having a solid 2023 season for the Nationals. Petriello points out that through this past Thursday’s games, Thomas ranks in the Top 10 in OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) against left-handed pitchers. Unlike Candelario, Thomas has two more years of arbitration remaining after this season before hitting free agency after the 2025 campaign.

This season, Thomas is slashing .290/.337/.488 while recording 16 home runs, 53 RBI, 65 runs scored, 113 hits, 109 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 389 at-bats (97 games).

Petriello lists the Cleveland Guardians, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, Brewers, and Yankees as potential landing spots for Thomas.

For those fans whose teams need a third baseman, outfielder, or designated hitter, you should probably get familiar with Candelario and Thomas. They may very well end up on a contending team for the remainder of the season.