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

[Slateman]

Pretty much on board with the rest of your post but not this - Olney is 20 miles north of downtown DC and is considered part of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area.  Comparable to Bryce Eldridge, who's from Vienna Va.

Eldridge grew up a Nats fan in a state that has no professional baseball team. Wood didnt and didnt.

[Slateman]

We are competing right now. You absolutely don’t trade Wood or Abrams.   You trade Mead, while he has some value, and Griffin, which is smoke and mirrors.  You hit the FA and trade market for starting pitchers

We arent competing for crap right now.

Mead is as long term a piece as anyone. And yea, if you dont actually try and fix the bullpen this deadline, you may as well trade Mead with Abrams, Cavalli, and Wood because you will have sent the message to this team that management doesnt give a freak about how well you perform.

[tomterp]

Eldridge grew up a Nats fan in a state that has no professional baseball team. Wood didnt and didnt.

Metro areas exist because of strong economic and social bonds between the people within them.  People in Montgomery County are much more invested in the DC area than Baltimore.  I grew up in PG, I rooted for all the DC teams, we couldn't even get Baltimore TV stations.  More options exist today but the legacy remains.

[Slateman]

Metro areas exist because of strong economic and social bonds between the people within them.  People in Montgomery County are much more invested in the DC area than Baltimore.  I grew up in PG, I rooted for all the DC teams, we couldn't even get Baltimore TV stations.  More options exist today but the legacy remains.

Wood grew up rooting for the Yankees. He has no affinity for local DC baseball.

Also, its ludicrous to even entertain the idea of keeping a Boras client.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Eldridge grew up a Nats fan in a state that has no professional baseball team. Wood didnt and didnt.

wood says he went to some of the Nats playoff games in 2019... I would not say he wasn't a fan

[tomterp]

Wood grew up rooting for the Yankees. He has no affinity for local DC baseball.

Also, its ludicrous to even entertain the idea of keeping a Boras client.

It doesn't matter much who a kid roots for when he becomes a pro.  Eldridge had no reluctance to crush us with that grand slam.  Wood has family and friends all around him here, that's more powerful than a childhood rooting interest.

But no matter - I'm not arguing the larger point - we have Wood through 2030, and just letting him walk at the end of 2030 is not acceptable.  There is no urgency.  We could be a playoff contender well before then and he can be a keystone of our club before we strike a deal for best haul possible.

[varoadking]

I'm trading House before Mead...

[tomterp]

I'm trading House before Mead...

Agreed as of now.  And probably into the future too, but if House could be fixed we get more.  At this point IMO you continue to coach House relentlessly.

[Slateman]

I'm trading House before Mead...

There's no reason to hang on to Mead and Wood at this point. It will take 3-5 years to build up any pitching depth

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7382367/2026/06/24/mlb-trade-deadline-big-board-players-postseason-skubal/?campaign=18629141&source=athletic_thewindup_newsletter&userId=30498107

Lists CJ as #4 in the list of the best players who could be traded, behind Skubal, Buxton, and Joe Ryan. Says for all the bad D, he's the highest wRC+ SS  this year, even better than Bobby Witt. Says the issue is whether the Nats are still in contention closer to the deadline. If yes, then he's  unlikely to be moved, but otherwise, he's on the market  if the Nats get an overwhelming return.

Aroldis is the highest ranked reliever at #10.

Foster Griffin is #15. Seen as a back-end starter  for a contender.

Several other relievers on the top 50 list. Card's O'Brien (#18), O's Cano (#22, unlikely to be moved), Helsley (#31), Kenley (#34), and several others.

The above are all in the maybe will be moved category (or unlikely). Bryan  Abreu (#20) is the highest ranked likely  to be moved. AJ Minter (#38), Senzatela (#46), Strahm (#48) also likely to be moved.

Littell (#49) likely to be moved if anyone wants him.

[BigMeech]

Part of me is glad for this collapse because "buying" at the deadline just to get a wildcard spot would've been so short sighted.  It would've been the equivalent of the Commanders trading draft picks last year post-NFC Championship game appearance, thinking they're a few pieces away when this past season showed they really haven't arrived, even when Jayden was healthy.

I'm mixed on trading Abrams.  On one hand, the fanbase is tired of losing our stars.  If you trade him, trade him for guys who are can contribute within a year of the trade, not guys who we have to wait on for years.  The offense is clearly there and I'd rather keep Abrams, extend him, and have him move positions once Willits is ready, which at his pace seems to be sooner rather than later. 

[IdahoNat]

Part of me is glad for this collapse because "buying" at the deadline just to get a wildcard spot would've been so short sighted.  It would've been the equivalent of the Commanders trading draft picks last year post-NFC Championship game appearance, thinking they're a few pieces away when this past season showed they really haven't arrived, even when Jayden was healthy.

I'm mixed on trading Abrams.  On one hand, the fanbase is tired of losing our stars.  If you trade him, trade him for guys who are can contribute within a year of the trade, not guys who we have to wait on for years.  The offense is clearly there and I'd rather keep Abrams, extend him, and have him move positions once Willits is ready, which at his pace seems to be sooner rather than later.

The Nats in 2012 were supposed to win the World Series and they didn't. The Nats in 2019 were a wildcard playoff team that didn't look like a playoff team at the beginning of a season. As far as the Commnaders, they were one game away from the Superbowl and had two lacklusters corners starting. Even though Lattimore didn't work out it was worth the risk.

[imref]

yeah, there's never a guarantee of future winning, so when you have the opportunity you go for it IMHO. 

[imref]

a decent bullpen and we win 3, maybe 4 from Philly.

IMHO we need to trade prospects for relief help ASAP. Any combination of Franklin, Lipscomb, Ortiz, YoYo, Hassell, James, etc.

[welch]

a decent bullpen and we win 3, maybe 4 from Philly.

IMHO we need to trade prospects for relief help ASAP. Any combination of Franklin, Lipscomb, Ortiz, YoYo, Hassell, James, etc.

Add Harry Ford, who was good enough to get Jose A. Ferrer from Toboni. Although YoYo ought to be a keeper, or, by himself, get a good relief pitcher.

[Slateman]

I wanna kick the tires on what it would take to get Reid Detmers and Sam Bachman. That would, effectively, get us two relievers as one of Mikolas, Littell, or Alvarez/Irvin would have to go to the pen. That, effectively, replaces Parker and Schultz with Alvarez and (probably) Mikolas, which should be an improvement of they limit Mikolas to 1 inning relief spurts.

With Vivas and Mead playing well, House becomes tradeable. I think a package of Susana, House, DFG, Dickerson, and one of Franklin, Pickney, or James gets it done. Or at least gets a serious counter.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I wanna kick the tires on what it would take to get Reid Detmers and Sam Bachman. That would, effectively, get us two relievers as one of Mikolas, Littell, or Alvarez/Irvin would have to go to the pen. That, effectively, replaces Parker and Schultz with Alvarez and (probably) Mikolas, which should be an improvement of they limit Mikolas to 1 inning relief spurts.

With Vivas and Mead playing well, House becomes tradeable. I think a package of Susana, House, DFG, Dickerson, and one of Franklin, Pickney, or James gets it done. Or at least gets a serious counter.

do you still play  with MLB trade values? I'd be curious what they'd say a Detmers deal would cost. I'd be interested. I've been thinking Alvarez to the bullpen solves part of the problem. Gotta find lefty relief help especially. Alvarez  would be a huge upgrade of Parker.

[Slateman]

do you still play  with MLB trade values? I'd be curious what they'd say a Detmers deal would cost. I'd be interested. I've been thinking Alvarez to the bullpen solves part of the problem. Gotta find lefty relief help especially. Alvarez  would be a huge upgrade of Parker.

No, I dont, because those motherfreakers put everything behind a paywall.

Alvarez to the pen is huge. Also, not having to use two LHP openers every turn of the rotation would help too.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Would  you make Lord a short guy if Mikolas was  your long reliever?

[Slateman]

Would  you make Lord a short guy if Mikolas was  your long reliever?

They need to ease up on Lord. Hes getting worn out

Im trying Mikolas in short spurts. Opponents are hitting under a .700 OPS in pitches 1-25. On the rest, they have a .900+ OPS. Him throwing 97-98 overcomes a lot other shortcomings.

[Ryan9009]

I'm not sure what you  mean about Wood not being  "fleet of foot." He's extremely fast. On the bases, he's an effective base stealer. Speed isn't his problem.  Do you mean a quick jump in the field? Maybe, but he has tons of make up speed.  He's playable in a corner. His height helps him along the fence. He's pretty much a middle of the pack defender in right.
https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?lg=all&qual=y&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=0&stats=fld&pos=rf&type=24

I think he  ages better than Adam Dunn. The training available now makes that sort of a blow up  less likely. Also, he's been around a few years now and we don't see evidence of  anything like that near term. Maybe 6 years from now he'll bulk up like Young and lose some speed, but the next few years, that seems unlikely.

As for CJ, I think he's on the table if this team fades by the all star break. He would likely be the most attractive hitter on the market. Vlow away offer, yah, pull the trigger.  That said, I don't see the rush to trade him at this deadline. There's 2 more seasons of control after this season. That's worth a lot this winter. If  you are saying  this  year isn't worth trying for the playoffs, then you can deal him to more teams next winter and they can convert him to the position they want. This year, it's just a few teams that have a need at SS or are willing to move him on the fly.

Okay, with respect 'fleet of foot' was a vague judgement call without any actual research or analysis, more of a gut feeling when I watch the guy, perhaps I'm thrown by the length of his strides and the sheer size difference between a typical MLB player and him. Again I'm not against the player at all, he's clearly one of the best pure hitters maybe of a generation, but he's also not a long term piece in my opinion that we can build this team around.

I truly think we are on our way to becoming the Washington Bay Devil National Rays or whatever and they would never invest in either player long term. Also regarding the 'losing the fanbase' concept, I don't really see how that is an issue after watching Gore/Soto/Turner/Scherzer/Schwarber/etc be moved out of this organization the last 5 years and somehow think the time to draw the line is a 500 ball club and these 2 players. In short, we don't really have a fanbase to be that concerned about at this point. Even this site itself is basically an echo chamber now where 5 very intelligent people argue with the same 5 very stubborn annoying people and not much else. Trust me I've lurked for almost 20 years lol, you folks make for a great daily read!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Okay, with respect 'fleet of foot' was a vague judgement call without any actual research or analysis, more of a gut feeling when I watch the guy, perhaps I'm thrown by the length of his strides and the sheer size difference between a typical MLB player and him. Again I'm not against the player at all, he's clearly one of the best pure hitters maybe of a generation, but he's also not a long term piece in my opinion that we can build this team around.

I truly think we are on our way to becoming the Washington Bay Devil National Rays or whatever and they would never invest in either player long term. Also regarding the 'losing the fanbase' concept, I don't really see how that is an issue after watching Gore/Soto/Turner/Scherzer/Schwarber/etc be moved out of this organization the last 5 years and somehow think the time to draw the line is a 500 ball club and these 2 players. In short, we don't really have a fanbase to be that concerned about at this point. Even this site itself is basically an echo chamber now where 5 very intelligent people argue with the same 5 very stubborn annoying people and not much else. Trust me I've lurked for almost 20 years lol, you folks make for a great daily read!

Thanks for clarifying. I 100% agree with you that Wood's stride really throws folks off on his speed. Dude's a freak.

I'm glad you enjoy the read and chip  in when you when you want. I don't really disagree that this team does seem to be oriented towards acquiring talent on the cheap and the best pieces seem to from deals getting rid of star (singular on purpose - just the Soto deal has paid off in high end MLB talent) and a bunch of minor deals for pieces they hope to develop.

[imref]

Per Zuck: Toboni met with reporters today:

1. While open-minded about buying or selling, "we're not going to have clarity on that until we get closer" to Aug. 3

2. While "there definitely could be" opportunities to upgrade bullpen sooner, it's tough to find sellers this early

[Slateman]

There cant be a soft buy or sell. Go big or go home. You cant keep rolling out Mikolas and Littell and have a bullpen this bad.

[TheCycle]

This is not the year.  Sell for MiLB arms.