Last month, we looked at all possible players that the Nationals might explore trading by the July 30 deadline, even those with the slimmest odds of being dealt. A lot can change in a month, so here is an updated list with fourteen names and possible trading partner fits. We will take another look in June and again about a week or two before the deadline. Let’s lead off with the man who has been the Nats’ best-starting pitcher this season.
Trevor Williams
Well, Williams finally gave up a home run (to Eloy Jimenez in Chicago), but has continued to pitch very well for the Nats, surprising all those of us (and there were many) who had his cards marked to be the first starting pitcher to get sent to the bullpen or kicked to the curb upon the eventual return of Cade Cavalli. Williams might not have made the rotation out of spring training had Zach Davies not bombed his final start in the Grapefruit League. Through nine starts now, Williams has thrown 46 1/3 innings with a 2.35 ERA and a 2.82 FIP (helped immensely by that lone home run), walking 14 and striking out 35. Williams also leads the rotation with a 1.087 WHIP.
Davey Martinez has used him very judiciously, as Williams has finished a sixth inning just once and crossed the 90-pitch threshold twice. It is worth noting that he has not fattened up on terrible opponents either - his two best starts were consecutive scoreless five-inning outings against perhaps the two most talented offenses in the American League, the Rangers and Orioles. Given the emergence of Mitchell Parker and the (still) eventual return of Cavalli, Williams has played himself into being the Nats’ best trade chip by a fair margin rather than its next long reliever.
Possible fits right now: Orioles, Braves, Rangers, Guardians, Cubs, Twins, Padres, Astros
Eddie Rosario
What a difference flipping the calendar has made! At the end of April, Rosario was the worst hitter in the majors, sporting a sub.300 OPS and not exactly providing elite defense in the outfield, either. Fast forward three weeks, and Rosario is hitting .190/.252/.388, running the bases with the same abandon as the rest of the Nats, and hitting five home runs in the past two weeks (although his glove work still leaves something to be desired). Not only has he proved that he is not washed, but in returning to near league average with the bat, he single-handedly kept the Nats’ offense afloat while just about everyone else has turned ice cold.
Possible fits right now: Rays, Phillies, Braves, Guardians, Royals, Twins, Mariners
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