Should We Buy or Should We Sell Now - Trade Deadline 2026

[JCA-CrystalCity]

One way to think about the trades for for Mead and Vivas is to lump those moves together along with other trades for DFA'd guys. In other words, it's Linan and Smith for Mead and Vivas. It's all fishing for a find at the end of other team's rosters. Probably can lump in the Granillo move in which we gave up a guy who is in StL's bullpen.  Not sure how this cuts, but it may be that the one find, Mead, makes the approach worthwhile

[imref]

One way to think about the trades for for Mead and Vivas is to lump those moves together along with other trades for DFA'd guys. In other words, it's Linan and Smith for Mead and Vivas. It's all fishing for a find at the end of other team's rosters. Probably can lump in the Granillo move in which we gave up a guy who is in StL's bullpen.  Not sure how this cuts, but it may be that the one find, Mead, makes the approach worthwhile

Gonna guess House is moved by the trade deadline. There's a lot of speculation that Toboni will not only try and cash in a few one-year deal or near FA types, but also some prospects that he isn't high on. House probably fits that later category.

[welch]

Pinckney for a good relief pitcher. He is blasting his way through this AAA season, but the Nats have no room in the OF. Pinckney would start for a weaker team.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Gonna guess House is moved by the trade deadline. There's a lot of speculation that Toboni will not only try and cash in a few one-year deal or near FA types, but also some prospects that he isn't high on. House probably fits that later category.

Good thought. I did a sort of team hitting vs LHP at 3rd this year, and there's a lot of contenders that have a hole there.

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?lg=all&qual=0&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&filter=&players=0&pos=3b&sortcol=15&sortdir=default&hand=&type=8&month=13

Milwaukee, Seattle, NYY, and several others stand out when you look at season numbers. I  haven't dived into recent performance or whether there's internal solutions or blocks, but I could see House perhaps being attractive to those teams given his splits.

[Natsinpwc]

Gonna guess House is moved by the trade deadline. There's a lot of speculation that Toboni will not only try and cash in a few one-year deal or near FA types, but also some prospects that he isn't high on. House probably fits that later category.

How about Crews before he gets even worse?  Like sell low but not lowest.

[Kevrock]

Gonna guess House is moved by the trade deadline. There's a lot of speculation that Toboni will not only try and cash in a few one-year deal or near FA types, but also some prospects that he isn't high on. House probably fits that later category.

Yeah, this group has been here for a year. They should have a list of prospects that have short-term benefited from all their tech and dev but they don’t think will continue to progress. Good analytical teams sell high on prospects on the time, look at the Dodgers.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

How about Crews before he gets even worse?  Like sell low but not lowest.

you  may hate me for saying this, but I think  it's  more likely JY gets  moved to open CF for Crews than the other way around. 3 years of control vs 5. 3 years off control with 3 options makes him still in expensive, and being an ok bat at the bottom of  the order with outstanding defense I think will get some calls.

Crews is  more an off-season deal. No contender is going to want to plug him into the outfield right now.  A  non-contender might be willing to deal for him if they have stuff you want. Perhaps an Angels starter?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm paying attention to the "replacement level killers" series in Fangraphs for potential match ups with the Nats if the Nats decide to sell. The list goes through teams with the 22 teams that have greater a 10% chance at the playoffs by FG's projections (Nats are down to < 4%) and identifies the contenders with 0.6 fWAR from each position. Not all of these teams would  be in the trade market, some of these teams are impacted by injuries with guys coming back (Trevor Story) or with recent call ups who are internal solutions.  Still, these teams might be potential markets for, say, Luis Garcia (1B) or CJ (SS) if there's a decision to deal.

They've done C, 1B, 2B, SS, and 3B so far.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-2026-replacement-level-killers-introduction-catcher/
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-2026-replacement-level-killers-first-base-second-base/
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-2026-replacement-level-killers-shortstop-third-base/
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-2026-replacement-level-killers-left-field-center-field/
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-2026-replacement-level-killers-right-field/
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-2026-replacement-level-killers-designated-hitter/

For Garcia, the Diamondbacks seem like an obvious partner, but, tbh, are the Dbacks that much more of a contender in the real world than the Nats? Were the Guardians to move off Manzardo, that would be another match. Tigers, Mariners, and Blue Jays also have had bad production, but I don't see Vladi or Naylor being displaced by LGJr.

As for Abrams, if the Twins aren't  in sell mode, Abrams could be useful to them. The Rays could view him as a short  term pick up who they could flip in the offseason. Brewers  just  signed a prospect long term, the Phillies aren't moving on from Turner, and the Sox  will likely  want to play Story when he's healthy.

Added the right field list and the DH list. I don't think we  are  moving Lile, Crews has no value to a contender, and I don't think a contender is dealing for  one of our minor leaguers and plugging him into right. Conceivably, if a team had a CF they'd be comfortable / prefer playing  in right, then JY might be an option.

[IdahoNat]

1 game back now from the WC and should be foreseeably be still in the hunt with very winnable games against the Rockies and Blue Jays. Unless there is a really bad collapse, there is no reasons they shouldn't be buyers. It's one thing to trade Mackenzie right before the season, but not making an effort to bolster the team at the trade deadline is just a step to far for me. The only major guys on the major league roster I'd consider trading would be Garcia and (as much as it really, really pains me to say this) Young, and ONLY if they bring back major league ready pitching.

With Garcia, you have 3 potential replacements for him ready and with Young, you could establish Crews as the CF, give regular time to Wood in right(which he likes, and the premium players do and should get there pick) and Lile in left, with the possibility of Ford being both a backup C and corner outfielder, even when Millas comes back. If they trade Griffin, I'll quit cold turkey for a few years. I don't want another poorly written write-up by Toboni saying how he empathizes with the fans about trading players away. Even if he walks this year, he's still bettering their chances of advancing further in the playoffs.

[Slateman]

1 game back now from the WC and should be foreseeably be still in the hunt with very winnable games against the Rockies and Blue Jays. Unless there is a really bad collapse, there is no reasons they shouldn't be buyers. It's one thing to trade Mackenzie right before the season, but not making an effort to bolster the team at the trade deadline is just a step to far for me. The only major guys on the major league roster I'd consider trading would be Garcia and (as much as it really, really pains me to say this) Young, and ONLY if they bring back major league ready pitching.

With Garcia, you have 3 potential replacements for him ready and with Young, you could establish Crews as the CF, give regular time to Wood in right(which he likes, and the premium players do and should get there pick) and Lile in left, with the possibility of Ford being both a backup C and corner outfielder, even when Millas comes back. If they trade Griffin, I'll quit cold turkey for a few years. I don't want another poorly written write-up by Toboni saying how he empathizes with the fans about trading players away. Even if he walks this year, he's still bettering their chances of advancing further in the playoffs.

But if we're trying to win, shouldn't we be playing the best lineup/players? At this point, Crews is, at best, the 4th OFer.

Honestly, trading Griffin is the most defensible trade. He's gone and if you don't trade him, the most you will get for him is a comp pick. It also seems pretty clear that either Griffin is determined to get to free agency for his (probably) only big pay day and/or the Nationals' owership isn't willing to spend money on a starting pitcher.

[IdahoNat]

But if we're trying to win, shouldn't we be playing the best lineup/players? At this point, Crews is, at best, the 4th OFer.

Honestly, trading Griffin is the most defensible trade. He's gone and if you don't trade him, the most you will get for him is a comp pick. It also seems pretty clear that either Griffin is determined to get to free agency for his (probably) only big pay day and/or the Nationals' owership isn't willing to spend money on a starting pitcher.

Young is right now maybe marginally better than Crews at the plate and is adequate enough of a fielder in Center where it wouldn't be too much of a dropoff(even though Young is in an elite tier). I think you could get at least a few MLB ready arms with Young that are in AAA and that you could toss at the wall and see if they land as opposed as the garbage they have been fashioning as darts from waiver pick-ups.

With Griffin, I rather the story be he helps them win the World Series and walks(even if there is a 1/100 chance of happening, I'm still going into the casino with those odds).

[Slateman]

Young is right now maybe marginally better than Crews at the plate and is adequate enough of a fielder in Center where it wouldn't be too much of a dropoff(even though Young is in an elite tier). I think you could get at least a few MLB ready arms with Young that are in AAA and that you could toss at the wall and see if they land as opposed as the garbage they have been fashioning as darts from waiver pick-ups.

With Griffin, I rather the story be he helps them win the World Series and walks(even if there is a 1/100 chance of happening, I'm still going into the casino with those odds).

Marginally? Young is about 10% better and is substantially better against RHP. Dylan Crews against RHP is basically worse than a Double A ball player. He's hitting .155/.221/.271 Also, there's a pretty steep drop off defensively. Young is elite in CF. Crews is serviceable. Young isn't getting you much in return. Maybe one Triple A arm and a lottery ticket. But he's a substantial improvement over Crews in CF and, with the best offense in baseball, his defense is at a premium on this team.

Nats odds to make the World Series currently sit at 1/400.

At this point, if you are honestly going to keep Griffin, you can't trade Young. And, in reality, the team should be sending Crews down and calling up Wiemer or someone else who can hit and play the field.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Crews hits lhp well, much better than Young, but there's really no platoon for Crews in cf in the organization with Hassell gone (and he stunk this year). Abi played a little corner for Texas, but neither Wood or Lile is a cf.

You could trade Young and just place faith in Crews full time. Roll of the dice at that point, but to contend, maybe you have to take chances on guys.

[Slateman]

Crews hits lhp well, much better than Young, but there's really no platoon for Crews in cf in the organization with Hassell gone (and he stunk this year). Abi played a little corner for Texas, but neither Wood or Lile is a cf.

You could trade Young and just place faith in Crews full time. Roll of the dice at that point, but to contend, maybe you have to take chances on guys.

Not sure its worth it based on the return. I don't think you're getting very much in return for Young. What contenders are really looking for a speedy (but not a good base stealer), defensive-first CF? Maybe Detroit and St. Louis? Even there, he's probably short side platoon guy/defensive replacement. So I really don't think you're getting that much for him.

If the plan is trade Young and play Crews full time for him develop, then you can't really argue that we're going for a playoff spot.

[IdahoNat]

Not sure its worth it based on the return. I don't think you're getting very much in return for Young. What contenders are really looking for a speedy (but not a good base stealer), defensive-first CF? Maybe Detroit and St. Louis? Even there, he's probably short side platoon guy/defensive replacement. So I really don't think you're getting that much for him.

If the plan is trade Young and play Crews full time for him develop, then you can't really argue that we're going for a playoff spot.

The dice-roll would be that Crews reverts back to his late June/early July form.

[Slateman]

The dice-roll would be that Crews reverts back to his late June/early July form.

His late June/early July form is inflated because he faced left handed pitching more frequently. From June 21 thru July 4, he hit .156/.229/.219 against RHP. If you trade Young, you're effectively choosing development over production. Which is not something that teams hoping to grab a playoff spot should be doing.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Not sure its worth it based on the return. I don't think you're getting very much in return for Young. What contenders are really looking for a speedy (but not a good base stealer), defensive-first CF? Maybe Detroit and St. Louis? Even there, he's probably short side platoon guy/defensive replacement. So I really don't think you're getting that much for him.

I would add Astros and maybe B-more to the list of teams looking for CF help. Young could platoon with Cowser in CF. Astros have had bad performance in cf.

[welch]

If a team wants a CF, then trade them Christian Franklin. Young has always been a superb fielder, and now he hits. Why give that up? Find a rebuilding team, and offer them Franklin. A that that is competing wants to keep their relievers. Nats can ignore them. Instead, the organization has some decent minor-leaguers that a bad team can build around. A bad team does not need strong relievers, since relief pitchers, except for the very best, collapse and recover and collapse again year by year. They are not building blocks in the way a position player is.

[welch]

Let's go, Toboni! Get at least one respectable relief pitcher and turn the next dozen or so blown saves into wins. Imagine winning baseball at Nats Park! Imagine playoff baseball again!

[varoadking]

If the plan is trade Young and play Crews full time for him develop, then you can't really argue that we're going for a playoff spot.

Preach it brother...

[Slateman]

If we're going to trade Young for a reliever that can help now, then we really outta just put CJ in CF, slide Nasim over, and put Mead at 2B

[aspenbubba]

If we're going to trade Young for a reliever that can help now, then we really outta just put CJ in CF, slide Nasim over, and put Mead at 2B

And who plays 3rd. Who do we bring up for the 4th OF. I’m don’t believe the FO would bring House back and tho Pinckney is doing well I think they want him down for more regular reps.

[Slateman]

And who plays 3rd. Who do we bring up for the 4th OF. I’m don’t believe the FO would bring House back and tho Pinckney is doing well I think they want him down for more regular reps.

Call up House or King. Crews is the 4th OFer. Or send him down and roll without one. Nunez, King, and Tena can fill in for a couple games.

[blue911]

Call up House or King. Crews is the 4th OFer. Or send him down and roll without one. Nunez, King, and Tena can fill in for a couple games.

They could give Lipscomb another look.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

They could give Lipscomb another look.

Lip is having a good year.  .279 / .318 / .533, with 18 HR. His statcast  x numbers are a lot worse, with lots of Ks and groundballs, but a ridiculous HR/FB of 27.7%.  He's played a little OF too.