This looked like it might be the year the Washington Nationals turn things around.
It is not, though, and now it's time for the Nats to consider moves.
They'll almost certainly be a seller at the trade deadline, trying to build up for next season to be the big jump.
MLB Trade Rumors lists three players as top trade candidates for the Nats: Michael Soroka, Kyle Finnegan and Nathaniel Lowe.
Soroka's reasoning from MLBTR goes like this:
"Soroka signed a one-year, $9MM free agent contract to work out of Washington’s rotation. He missed a month early in the season with a biceps strain but has been healthy since the second week of May. A 4.70 ERA through 59 2/3 innings isn’t eye-opening, but he’s striking out more than 26% of opponents. Soroka posted big strikeout numbers in a relief role for the White Sox late last season, so he could be a target for teams seeking rotation or bullpen help."
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Finnegan is a classic bullpen pickup at the deadline for a contender, as explained by MLB Trade Rumors here:
"The Nats didn’t trade Finnegan last summer, perhaps in part because of some struggles leading up to the trade deadline. He was non-tendered after an awful second half but re-signed on a one-year deal and has been solid in 2025. Finnegan’s velocity and strikeout rate are down, but he’s still sporting a 2.61 ERA and 18 saves on the season. The dip in strikeouts and a poor 8.7% swinging-strike rate are going to impact his trade value, but the Nats should be able to flip him for a decent return."
And Lowe is a prototypical good-eye, some-power pickup for the stretch run. Here's how his candidacy is explained:
"A steadily productive first baseman for the Rangers from 2021-24 when he batted a combined .274/.359/.432 (124 wRC+), Lowe has taken a significant step back following an offseason trade to the Nationals. He’s shown signs of life recently, swatting four homers and tallying six multi-hit games since June 17. If Lowe can maintain this hot streak for another four weeks, he’ll be able to largely attribute his sub-par production to an anomalous six-week stretch from early May to mid-June. There’s a nice track record here, and Lowe should be popular in a market that’s light on impact bats."
The Nationals have a strong core.
James Wood, C.J. Abrams, MacKenzie Gore and Luis Garcia are great players to build around.
The foundation is in place. Time for some more solid building blocks atop the foundation.
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