What to trade?

[DPMOmaha]

Who? What team will bench their right fielder to put him in the lineup? Or DH in the AL?

That's further in the weeds than I can go right now. Maybe they keep him. I think that's actually likely. Maybe there's no interest in him, but I find that really hard to believe.

[Ray D]

Who? What team will bench their right fielder to put him in the lineup? Or DH in the AL?

Not only that, but the only possible teams with interest in Harper are contenders.   That limits it to about five in the AL and maybe seven in the NL.

[DPMOmaha]

But now Heyman tweets this:

Jon Heyman@JonHeyman
1 min ago
Rivals believe there’s almost no chance nats will market/trade Bryce Harper in 28-hour window that exists. 1. They want to sign him long-term. 2. They are within striking distance of 2 young teams. 3. They have team mostly back together (except Strasburg).

[varoadking]

But now Heyman tweets this:

Jon Heyman@JonHeyman
1 min ago
Rivals believe there’s almost no chance nats will market/trade Bryce Harper in 28-hour window that exists. 1. They want to sign him long-term. 2. They are within striking distance of 2 young teams. 3. They have team mostly back together (except Strasburg).

 

[Slateman]

But now Heyman tweets this:

Jon Heyman@JonHeyman
1 min ago
Rivals believe there’s almost no chance nats will market/trade Bryce Harper in 28-hour window that exists. 1. They want to sign him long-term. 2. They are within striking distance of 2 young teams. 3. They have team mostly back together (except Strasburg).

If true, this is Rizzo betting everything on this team. Because the Learners might not be willing to forget another bad mistake like this.

[NJ Ave]

Again, there's no reason to listen to "rivals" talking about what Mike Rizzo is going to do. That's pure clickbait trash. Not to say they won't keep Harper, but unless it's an executive talking to Rizzo directly and being turned down, they don't have any idea what he's doing.

[DPMOmaha]

Jon Heyman@JonHeyman
4 mins ago
Other teams expect #nats to investigate  possible sale of Kelley, Madson, Herrera, Kintzler. But ultimately, since Herrera may be the only one of the group with significant trade value, and getting below luxury tax threshold isn’t a great goal, they may still sell no one.

[Slateman]

Jon Heyman@JonHeyman
4 mins ago
Other teams expect #nats to investigate  possible sale of Kelley, Madson, Herrera, Kintzler. But ultimately, since Herrera may be the only one of the group with significant trade value, and getting below luxury tax threshold isn’t a great goal, they may still sell no one.

If you're going to trade all that, you may as well trade Harper and others. Cmon Mike ....

[bluestreak]

Who? What team will bench their right fielder to put him in the lineup? Or DH in the AL?

Maybe the Yankees? Power Left handed bat plays well in that Park while Judge is out...

[NJ Ave]

Maybe the Yankees? Power Left handed bat plays well in that Park while Judge is out...

I assumed the Dodgers would platoon Hernandez/Pederson in CF while Puig and Harper screw up the corners. Pederson is basically a platoon player this season.

[Greg_SRT]

Just fire sale this team.

The problems that have been present in this lineup and clubhouse are not new to this year as much as people like to think it's all Dave.

These problems go back before even Dusty was hired. It's infected Trea Turner too. Lets stop it before it infects Robles and Soto.

The Nationals (rightfully) tried to fix it the cheapest ways first. Firing coaches.

We been thru multiple coaching staffs and the problems at the core are still present.

[bluestreak]

Just fire sale this team.

The problems that have been present in this lineup and clubhouse are not new to this year as much as people like to think it's all Dave.

These problems go back before even Dusty was hired. It's infected Trea Turner too. Lets stop it before it infects Robles and Soto.

The Nationals (rightfully) tried to fix it the cheapest ways first. Firing coaches.

We been thru multiple coaching staffs and the problems at the core are still present.

You certainly turned on a dime...

[Natsinpwc]

Maybe the Yankees? Power Left handed bat plays well in that Park while Judge is out...

He's only out a few weeks. They are basically locked in the first wild card slot.  They wouldn't offer much. Plus he's still not hitting except for an occasional home run.

[Natsinpwc]

If you're going to trade all that, you may as well trade Harper and others. Cmon Mike ....

Murphy is heatin up. Not sure if any AL teams need a DH?

[Natsinpwc]

That's further in the weeds than I can go right now. Maybe they keep him. I think that's actually likely. Maybe there's no interest in him, but I find that really hard to believe.

Why is that hard to believe?  Team would only have him for two months. He is totally messed up at the plate this year. No offseason or spring training to fix that. And his defense is not that good.

[bluestreak]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/at-mlb-trade-deadline-should-the-nationals-buy-or-sell-they-arent-making-the-choice-easy/2018/07/30/d043f5a0-93ff-11e8-a679-b09212fb69c2_story.html

Chelsea Janes’ take. Interesting insight on why they almost certainly won’t trade Harper. TL;DR, they have treated him with kid gloves and had a different standard with him, probably to the detriment of clubhouse chemistry. All in the effort to sign him this offseason. Why would you do all that and then jettison him now?

[DPMOmaha]

Jeff Passan covers a lot of ground in there. He mentions the Indians as a logical landing spot for Harper, along with the Dodgers and Yanks.

https://sports.yahoo.com/10-degrees-underachieving-nationals-reached-point-trading-bryce-harper-make-sense-164438671.html

[Slateman]

Murphy is heatin up. Not sure if any AL teams need a DH?

Not really. AL is pretty locked up except for the last WC spot. And both the A's and Mariners have DHs.  Could play him at first though

[Ray D]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/at-mlb-trade-deadline-should-the-nationals-buy-or-sell-they-arent-making-the-choice-easy/2018/07/30/d043f5a0-93ff-11e8-a679-b09212fb69c2_story.html

Chelsea Janes’ take. Interesting insight on why they almost certainly won’t trade Harper. TL;DR, they have treated him with kid gloves and had a different standard with him, probably to the detriment of clubhouse chemistry. All in the effort to sign him this offseason. Why would you do all that and then jettison him now?

So is the "detriment" part speculation on her part?  If it's true, why not get him the hell out of town. I'd be willing to bet, it we traded him today, we'd go on a prolonged streak, beginning tomorrow.  Trade just Harper, nobody else.

[Greg_SRT]

You certainly turned on a dime...

Slow your role. I still think they can win the division.

But winning the division and being a contender are 2 different things.

And I have said for weeks my position. I said going into the 4 games @ Miami if they didn't win at least 3... sell.

I haven't change my position on anything actually.

[Natsinpwc]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/at-mlb-trade-deadline-should-the-nationals-buy-or-sell-they-arent-making-the-choice-easy/2018/07/30/d043f5a0-93ff-11e8-a679-b09212fb69c2_story.html

Chelsea Janes’ take. Interesting insight on why they almost certainly won’t trade Harper. TL;DR, they have treated him with kid gloves and had a different standard with him, probably to the detriment of clubhouse chemistry. All in the effort to sign him this offseason. Why would you do all that and then jettison him now?

Why would they want resign him if clubhouse chemistry is such a mess. Will he all of a sudden grow up. Nike of it really addresses what is wrong with his swing this year or how to fix it. Just trade for Joey Gallo instead.

[Slateman]

Slow your role. I still think they can win the division.

But winning the division and being a contender are 2 different things.

And I have said for weeks my position. I said going into the 4 games @ Miami if they didn't win at least 3... sell.

I haven't change my position on anything actually.

If this team wins the division, they're the hotest team in baseball going into the playoffs, with two legit ace starters and a shut down bullpen. They would most definitely be a contender.

[Natsinpwc]

Not really. AL is pretty locked up except for the last WC spot. And both the A's and Mariners have DHs.  Could play him at first though

They would have him for playoffs also. Teams look for any edge.

[Natsinpwc]

Jeff Passan covers a lot of ground in there. He mentions the Indians as a logical landing spot for Harper, along with the Dodgers and Yanks.

https://sports.yahoo.com/10-degrees-underachieving-nationals-reached-point-trading-bryce-harper-make-sense-164438671.html

Indians need an OF. That could make sense. 

[Greg_SRT]

If this team wins the division, they're the hotest team in baseball going into the playoffs, with two legit ace starters and a shut down bullpen. They would most definitely be a contender.

No. They would still be a inconsistent, underachieving team in a weak division.