Trade Deadline Preview: Washington Nationals
By Chris Vetter
Jun 9, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche (25) high fives teammates after the win against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The Washington Nationals defeated the San Francisco Giants 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 Washington Nationals are eerily similar to the 2013 Nationals. However, in 2014 they do have an excuse as many of their key players have missed time due to injuries. It also does not seem like anyone is going to run away with the National League East like the Atlanta Braves did in 2013.
As of right now the Nationals and Braves have been jockeying for position, both have been in first place in the NL East at some point this season. Bryce Harper is finally back in the lineup after missing a little over two months with a thumb injury. Gio Gonzalez is also back to pitching for the Nationals which solidifies their rotation.
On paper coming into the season the Nationals were expected to be one of the teams to beat in the National League. With a fully healthy team they should be able to capture those expectations and finally break through and dominant with a stacked starting rotation and bullpen. However, they do have some holes to file as the trade deadline approaches.