It's almost impossible to be out of the postseason race before Memorial Day, but when you consider that the 16-22 Washington Nationals already find themselves five games out in what's been an underwhelming National League East, the team certainly feels likely to be a seller later this summer.
Along with the Minnesota Twins, the Nationals are probably a team that opposing executives are swarming around, because while they're too top-heavy of a roster, they have some very interesting trade candidates.
There is, of course, no reason to think the Nationals would even entertain the possibility of parting with either Juan Soto or Trea Turner. However, as we discussed earlier this week, the idea of Mike Rizzo and company trading Max Scherzer in the final year of his contract probably will be a real consideration.
Beyond Scherzer, though, the Nationals have at least five potential interesting trade candidates, including one franchise icon:
Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Zimmerman is a franchise icon for the Nationals.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Zimmerman literally made his Major League debut in 2005, the first season after the Nationals moved to D.C. from Montreal. It's entirely possible that the 36-year-old, already having won a World Series, would prefer to remain in the place that he's spent his entire career and that would be his right with a full no-trade clause. That said, if he's open to a trade, the two-time All-Star probably would garner some interest, especially from National League teams that believe he could change the course of their season with one swing off the bench. A year after opting out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19, Zimmerman is hitting .292 with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 72 at-bats. If there was interest in 41-year-old Albert Pujols, there would certainly be a market for Zimmerman.
Brad Hand
Brad Hand is likely to be moved this summer.
(Scott Kane/Getty Images)
Rather than picking up his $10 million club option for 2021, a cost-cutting Cleveland team waived Hand last offseason, despite the fact that he was coming off of perhaps the finest season of his career. With financial uncertainty around the league, Hand went unclaimed. He ultimately signed a one-year/$10.5 million deal in free agency with the Nationals. While some of his advanced numbers (like a 4.07 expected ERA and a 4.26 FIP) don't paint as rosy of a picture, Hand does have just a 2.70 ERA in 2021. Whether it's to be a closer or a set-up man, there figures to be a slew of contenders interested in the 31-year-old before the July 30 trade deadline.
Jon Lester
Jon Lester is in his first season with the Nationals.
(Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Lester is probably past the point of his career where a contender would trade for him hoping that he could pitch in a postseason series. Still, the 37-year-old has a 3.80 ERA and 4.64 FIP in his first four starts of 2021, with an outlier in a fourth start that saw him allow five runs in 5 1/3 innings. Could a contending team - say, the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies - make a move for Lester thinking that he's better than their current No. 4 and/or No. 5 starter. Sure, every game matters in August and September, not just the ones starter by the top-half of your rotation.
Starlin Castro
Starlin Castro is having a strong season for the Nationals.
(Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Now 31, Castro hasn't played shortstop since 2019. He still brings value as an infielder capable of playing multiple positions, though. A four-time All-Star, Castro has three defensive runs saved at third base in 2021, and one at second base. He's also just a couple seasons removed from hitting 22 home runs, so when you factor in his pop, he figures to be moved at some point.
Josh Harrison
Josh Harrison is an interesting trade candidate.
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Harrison has played in 29 games this season, as opposed to 28 from Juan Soto, one of the most gifted hitters in the sport. And yet, Baseball Reference says that Harrison has a slight edge in bWAR this season, a testament to how much Harrison has revived his career with the Nationals. A two-time All-Star, Harrison would provide a contender with defensive versatility and postseason experience.
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