Nationals stay active ahead of MLB trade deadline

The Nationals kicked off the final 24 hours before Tuesday night’s MLB trade deadline by dealing outfielder Lane Thomas to Guardians.

For the third straight season, the Nationals are primed to sell established assets to the highest bidders at the deadline as they build for the future. 

General manager Mike Rizzo signaled the start of the sale earlier this month when he sent reliever Hunter Harvey to the Kansas City Royals. It continued Sunday when he shipped outfielder Jesse Winker to the New York Mets. 

“We’re always busy at the deadline, whether we’re hunting championships or rebuilding or in the mix of both,” Rizzo told MLB.com. “So it’s always an active trade deadline season, and we’re looking forward to the challenge to improve our club for this year and for the future.” 

Recently departed

Harvey was the first to go. The Nationals sent him to the Kansas City Royals on July 13, just a day before the MLB draft. The Nationals added a prospect and the No. 39 pick in the draft in the trade. 
With the playoffs seemingly out of reach — the Nationals entered Monday’s action 6 1/2 games behind the Mets for the final NL wild-card spot — several teams called Rizzo about Harvey’s availability.

“Kansas City had a lot of interest; a lot of teams had interest in Hunter,” Rizzo said on 106.7 The Fan after the trade. “The timing worked for us because they were willing to give up the 39th pick. So we had to make the trade before the draft, obviously.”

The 29-year-old pitcher recorded a 4.20 ERA with 50 strikeouts through 45 innings in 2024. He was tied for the MLB lead with 26 holds before the trade.

Washington used the No. 39 pick on Caleb Lomavita, Baseball America’s top-ranked catcher in this year’s draft class.

Rizzo remained active in the lead-up to the trade deadline, sending outfielder Jesse Winker to the New York Mets on Sunday. 

Winker, who originally signed a minor league deal to join the Nationals in February, exceeded expectations in D.C. The 30-year-old averaged .257 with 11 home runs through 101 games with the Nationals.

His impact was felt in the clubhouse, too. 

“He kept everybody loose, but he cared. He cared a lot about the players around him, his teammates,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said of Winker. “He helped our young guys out. He’s very astute when it comes to guys pitching against him. He did everything we asked him to do.” 

Rizzo agreed to ship Thomas to the Guardians on Monday in what was the latest in a busy month. The 28-year-old outfielder has served as an everyday outfielder for the Nationals in 2024, but he was slated to enter arbitration in the fall and could become a free agent after the 2025 season. 

Washington’s prospect pool is also loaded with promising outfielders, leaving Thomas’s future with the club in doubt. Rookie outfielder James Wood has impressed in his first month in the majors, while 2023 first-round pick Dylan Crews is expected to join the Nationals’ outfield later this season.

Recently acquired

Third baseman Cayden Wallace was Washington’s biggest addition from this year’s midseason trades. The 22-year-old was the No. 2 prospect in Kansas City’s prospect pipeline, according to MLB.com.

“We feel we got ourselves an upside guy that can impact a baseball game,” Rizzo told MLB.com. “[He] plays really good defense at third; he’s got a really good arm; he’s got power potential and he’s a really good hitter, so we liked the skill set.”

By dishing Winker to the Mets, Rizzo added 24-year-old pitcher Tyler Stuart to his prospect pool. The 6-foot-9 starter led the minor leagues in ERA last season while pitching for High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton.

“A big-frame kid; he throws strikes; he competes, so he gives us a little bit more depth, starting pitching-wise. …” Martinez said, highlighting the right-hander’s slider and changeup. “Hopefully, when we do get him up here in the future, he can get outs for us.”

In the Thomas trade, Washington added a trio of young prospects in pitcher Alex Clemmey, shortstop Rafael Ramirez and third baseman Jose Tena. 

Tena is the most MLB-ready prospect of the bunch. He averaged .298 with 17 home runs in Triple-A this season after a brief trip to the big leagues in 2023. 

Next to go?

Rizzo promised that his front office would be active at the trade deadline. Experts around the league expect Washington to keep selling off veterans, even as the rebuild enters its late stages. 

The Athletic reported that Rizzo would look to offload players on expiring contracts or eligible for arbitration. Closer Kyle Finnegan is the most obvious remaining trade candidate. The 32-year-old is entering the final year of his contract. 

Finnegan has pitched the best season of his career this year, earning his first All-Star appearance while recording 28 saves and a 2.47 ERA. 
Playoff contenders like the Yankees or Astros could look to add Finnegan as an extra bullpen arm ahead of their postseason runs. 

Finnegan, like his former teammates, could land the Nationals another valuable young piece as they continue to build for the future. 

Other potential trade candidates include Derek Law and Dylan Floro, a pair of relievers in their 30s whose contracts expire after this season. 

“We’ll be busy, we’ll be active, we’ll be aggressive,” Rizzo said about his trade deadline plans. “It’s all about getting pieces to put on that roster to get us our next championship.”