STATIONS
  • All Music Stations
  • All News & Talk Stations
  • All Sports Stations
 
  • Stations by City
  • All Stations
Partners
  • Fox News
  • CBS News
  • NBC News
Music
  • All Music Stations
  • Music News
  • Pop
  • Alternative
  • Latino
 
  • Country
  • Rock
  • Classic Rock
  • Hip-Hop and R&B
EVENTS
  • LIVE Performances
NEWS
  • All News Stations
  • Latino News
 
  • NBC News
  • Fox News
  • CBS News
Sports
  • All Sports Stations
  • Sports News
  • NFL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • NHL
 
  • NCAA Football
  • Sports Betting
Originals
  • Baseball Isn’t Boring
  • Reception Perception
  • Kickoff with Boomer
BetQL Network
  • Listen Live
  • Watch Live
  • BetMGM The Daily Tip
  • BetQL Daily
  • BetMGM Tonight
All Podcasts
  • 48 Hours
  • Aspire with Emma Grede
  • Boomer & Gio
  • Cash the Ticket
  • Clues
 
  • Cover 3 College Football
  • Disgraceland
  • Fantasy Football Today
  • Fly on the Wall
  • goop
 
  • Hearts Start Pounding
  • Heed the Call
  • History That Doesn’t Suck
  • Jill on Money
  • The Late Show Pod Show
 
  • The Moth
  • Murder True Crime Stories
  • Office Ladies
  • Radio Rental
  • The RE-CAP Show
 
  • Search Engine
  • Simpsons Declassified
  • The Tony Kornheiser Show
  • Who? Weekly
  • The Women’s Hoops Show
  • You Better, You Bet
Where to Listen
  • About Audacy
  • Get the Audacy App
  • More Ways to Listen
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
  • FAQ
  • Find Us on X
  • Contact Customer Support
STAY IN TOUCH
  • Follow Us on Social
  • Advertise With Us
More from Audacy
  • #ImListening
  • 1Thing
  • Contests
  • Contest Rules
  • All Music Stations
  • All News & Talk Stations
  • All Sports Stations
  • Stations by City
  • All Stations
  • Fox News
  • CBS News
  • NBC News
  • All Music Stations
  • Music News
  • Pop
  • Alternative
  • Latino
  • Country
  • Rock
  • Classic Rock
  • Hip-Hop and R&B
  • LIVE Performances
  • All News Stations
  • Latino News
  • NBC News
  • Fox News
  • CBS News
  • All Sports Stations
  • Sports News
  • NFL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • NCAA Football
  • Sports Betting
  • Baseball Isn’t Boring
  • Reception Perception
  • Kickoff with Boomer
  • Listen Live
  • Watch Live
  • BetMGM The Daily Tip
  • BetQL Daily
  • BetMGM Tonight
  • 48 Hours
  • Aspire with Emma Grede
  • Boomer & Gio
  • Cash the Ticket
  • Clues
  • Cover 3 College Football
  • Disgraceland
  • Fantasy Football Today
  • Fly on the Wall
  • goop
  • Hearts Start Pounding
  • Heed the Call
  • History That Doesn’t Suck
  • Jill on Money
  • The Late Show Pod Show
  • The Moth
  • Murder True Crime Stories
  • Office Ladies
  • Radio Rental
  • The RE-CAP Show
  • Search Engine
  • Simpsons Declassified
  • The Tony Kornheiser Show
  • Who? Weekly
  • The Women’s Hoops Show
  • You Better, You Bet
  • About Audacy
  • Get the Audacy App
  • More Ways to Listen
  • FAQ
  • Find Us on X
  • Contact Customer Support
  • Follow Us on Social
  • Advertise With Us
  • #ImListening
  • 1Thing
  • Contests
  • Contest Rules
92.3 The Fan logo
    • Complete Schedule
    • The Ken Carman Show With Anthony Lima
    • Baskin & Phelps
    • Afternoon Drive on The Fan
    • Overtime with Jake Vulinec
    • Hosts
    • The Ken Carman Show With Anthony Lima
    • Baskin & Phelps
    • Afternoon Drive on The Fan
    • Overtime with Jake Vulinec
    • Carman and Lima's Emerging Podcast Scene
    • It’s Always Gameday In Cleveland
    • Sons of the Shoe
    • YouTube
    • University Hospitals Cleveland Browns Radio Network
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Cleveland Guardians
    • Cleveland Monsters
    • Ohio State Buckeyes
    • BEAT Reporters
    • Sports Betting
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • How to Listen to Browns Games
    • Contests
    • Contest Rules
    • Events
    • Photo Galleries
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Subscribe to Newsletters
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Top Stories
    • Traffic Map
    • Traffic Reports
    • Weather
    • I'm Listening
    • 1Thing
    • Cleveland Connection
  • audio from 92.3 The Fan

    • Live
    • Podcasts
  • Ask your smart speaker to play

    Ninety Two Three The Fan

Home
92.3 The Fan If Nationals sell, they have a ton of interesting trade candidates

If Nationals sell, they have a ton of interesting trade candidates

75756A5E-120A-4932-810C-2FD980DB785E
By Tim Kelly, Audacy Sports

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. Photo credit (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Ryan Zimmerman

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. Photo credit (Scott Kane/Getty Images)

Brad Hand

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. Photo credit (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Jon Lester

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. Photo credit (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Starlin Castro

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. Photo credit (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Josh Harrison

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.

LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Ryan Zimmerman
  • Max Scherzer
  • Brad Hand
  • Washington Nationals
  • Audacy Sports Gallery

LATEST in sports

  • Carman & Lima: Cavs aren't under 'most pressure' in the NBA; In Cleveland, they're under 'tremendous' pressure
  • Danny Cunningham: I think it's championship or bust for the Cavs this year; if they don't get out of the East, this is a failure
  • Daryl Ruiter: I guarantee you we are going to see Shedeur Sanders before this season is over
  • Albert Breer: I think Dillon Gabriel's been fine; turning to Shedeur Sanders is going to come down to what we don’t see
  • Lance Reisland: I think Dillon Gabriel's doing a solid job with lots of room for improvement; it's too early to say he can or can't do it
×
92.3 The Fan  |  
Cleveland's home for sports!
  1. Listen to WKRK
  2. Contact Us
  3. Join the Club
  4. Advertise with Us
  5. Public Inspection File
  6. FCC Applications
  7. EEO
© 2025 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PART OF AUDACY SPORTS.

listen

  • Listen Live
  • Mobile App

connect

  • FAQ
  • 1Thing
  • Get My PERKS
  • #ImListening
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertise with Us
  • Audacy Corporate Site

legal

  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Copyright Notice
  • Music Submission Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Info
  • Public File Help
© 2025 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. Part of Audacy.
!