The Nationals' Trade Deadline Dilemma

With the MLB trade deadline approaching, every Nationals fan's question is: buy, sell, or hold.

Richard Wachtel

Jun 25, 2024 - 2 min read

With the MLB trade deadline approaching, every Nationals fan's question is: buy, sell, or hold? The Nationals will unlikely be buyers, so let's focus on the two more realistic options: selling and holding.

The saying goes, "You gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em." Analyzing the Nationals' current situation, selling might be the more strategic move. Here's why:

Building the Farm System: Many analysts and fans advocate for selling some of the Nationals' strong performers like Trevor Williams, Kyle Finnegan, or Lane Thomas. These trades would infuse the minor leagues with valuable prospects, replenishing the talent pool for years. While focusing solely on prospects isn't ideal, the Nationals' minor league system has shown inconsistencies, particularly at the lower levels. Strategic trades could address these deficiencies and ensure a steady flow of talent in the future.

Earlier this month, I argued that the Nationals should hold onto some key players in my article, "What's Next for the Washington Nationals?" However, I believe the situation warrants a change of perspective. Even if trades don't bring in top-tier prospects, selling some veterans could be beneficial.

June: A Pivotal Month for the Washington Nationals

Richard • Jun 11, 2024

The next handful of games that the Nationals will be playing are against struggling teams or teams that have losing records or are close to them, and the Nationals need to capitalize on that. The Nationals are in a crowded field for the last Wild Card spot and only 1.5 games out entering tonight’s game.

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The Nationals clearly need long-term success. Consistent competitiveness, like the LA Dodgers or San Diego Padres, truly defines a successful organization. While the pain of trading Juan Soto is still fresh, rebuilding doesn't have to be negative. The Baltimore Orioles, now boasting the top farm system according to MLB Pipeline, are a prime example. The Nationals, currently ranked 12th (down from 8th last year), could take a similar path.

Building a winning culture takes time and a strong foundation. By strategically selling some veterans at the deadline, the Nationals can bolster their minor league system and set themselves up for sustained success in the future.