With the Washington Nationals playing their best baseball, GM Mike Rizzo has a decision to make come late July.
After yet another abysmal start in DC, the Washington Nationals have become one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning eight out of their last ten and finding themselves within three wins of the Mets for first place in the NL East. They are, theoretically, prime candidates to buy at the trade deadline at the end of July. However, is this the best course of action for the Nationals this year?
Washington Nationals have tough decision to make
The farm is depleted
In March of this year, MLB.com released their annual farm system rankings, placing the Nationals in dead last. It is fair to say that Washington is now retroactively discovering the cost of winning a World Series, as many of their former top prospects are now excelling on other rosters (Lucas Giolito is a prime example).
Surely there is no regret at this stage, but the price of bringing a championship back to DC was steep. If the Nats were struggling the way they did early this season, it would be a no-brainer to hit the reset button and try to build for a brighter future. However, a hot streak now leaves the front office with a difficult decision ahead.
A team of destiny
One of the greatest temptations to continue building and win-now in DC is the eerily similar first half of the 2021 season, heavily reminiscent of 2019’s. Sure, the Nats never got to 19-31, but their rise has brought about a similar feeling: that this team just clicks. They have chemistry and a relaxed demeanor that veteran outfielder Gerardo Parra seems to carry around with him like a backpack.
With a major turnaround in progress (for now), it is easy to compare the 2021 Nats to their 2019 selves despite a major disparity in rosters. Injuries are ever-present, but the Nationals have found ways to win without some of their most touted names. Riding the high of 2019 could lead Rizzo and Co to double down and chase another title in the first full season after the franchise’s first ever.
It may be too early to tell whether or not the Nationals will be buyers, sellers, or holders at the deadline. However, one thing is clear. This final month before the deadline is crucial in determining the answer. The Nationals have a brutal part of their schedule in front of them.
If they manage to come out of it unscathed, expect Rizzo and the Washington Nationals to pull a few moves ahead of the deadline this year.