This question seems pretty moot.   We should try to win as many games we can.   The number of must move players is pretty small, and don't even really make our team much worse, so go ahead and sell anyone at the deadline who is not coming back next year.   There is absolutely no reason to be a buyer unless there is a move to be made for someone who is going to be here long term.

This is not a playoff team. If they in fact do make it, it should be seen as an awesome development, but it's not the season to "buy in" unless you are getting someone at a position of need who is controllable for multiple seasons. Those trades rarely happen during the season and also rarely work out. It's also usually for a big name involving big prospects. I think we hang onto the horses and jettison the one year players at the deadline to try and get some more D.J. Herz players.

It seems to be working for me.

After years of Philly fans coming down to DC to harass Nats fans when the Phils are in town and booing Ryan Zimmerman when he got his silver slugger award on opening day, it warms my heart the Knicks fans overtook the Philly arena in the basketball playoffs and harassed the Philly fans. Supposedly the knicks fans were going around the concourse at the 76ers arena and yelling expletives at the Philly fans. The Eagles fans have also come to Fedex Field and were obnoxious so good for Knicks fans. Josh Harris and his fellow 76ers owners bought 2,000 tickets to block the knicks fans from coming back.

The Nats farm system is still not deep. Counterproductive to trade prospects for someone to chase a wild card for one year.  Miami made the playoffs last year. Is that helping them long term?

To be fair, they also let their GM walk after last year after trying to demote her.