With roughly 24 hours until the trade deadline passes, taking a look at where the Washington Nationals stand
Will Luis Garcia Jr. and/or Foster Griffin be traded?
Just one more day.
After weeks — perhaps months — of hand-wringing and prognosticating ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline, just under 36 hours remain before the rumors can be laid to rest.
As we head towards the closing of the trade market, let’s take a look at a Nationals move, some rumors and a couple of other moves around the league that may have a trickle-down effect on Washington.
The acquisition of Connelly Early
The Nationals’ biggest move so far (Luis Garcia Jr. and Foster Griffin, we’re looking at you) has been the trade for former Red Sox southpaw Connelly Early.
A young, productive arm both for the present and future, Early is a huge addition for a Washington team starved for pitching.
To get him, the front office had to send Curtis Mead, a breakout star, to Boston. That hurts, but getting Early in return more than makes up for it.
Luis Garcia Jr.
Luis Garcia Jr. is having a career year — one that some may call unrepeatable.
There have been calls for a while now for the Nats to sell high on Garcia, who is absolutely blowing his previous career highs out of the water in a stellar offensive campaign.
According to reporting from several outlets, the New York Yankees are interested. Time will tell if the Nationals see him as a trade asset or an important part of the team’s future.
Foster Griffin
What a year it’s been for foster Griffin.
Much to the surprise of everyone around the league, the rookie on the wrong side of 30 has come over from the NPB and been dominant for much of this season. Griffin has pitched to a 3.06 ERA and earned an all star berth in July.
The Nationals, though, face a choice: Do they extend the 31-year-old, or cut bait in an attempt to get younger talent?
With just over a day to go before the deadline, that decision will become clear sooner rather than later.
Non-Nationals move: Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers
Though it has felt inevitable for months now, it’s still somehow something of a shock to see Tarik Skubal get traded to the Dodgers.
How can a team so talented already get away with getting Skubal? The answer is a deep farm system and shrewd financial decisions (on top of Skubal’s market being slightly lower due to his rental/expiring contract status) but it is still infuriating for teams around the league.
It feels like this deal is certain to push MLB even closer to a lockout next year, and the Dodgers to another ring — a third straight — this year.
