As expected, the Washington Nationals traded half a dozen veterans for prospects last month. Here’s what the wheeling and dealing brought the Nats:
Closer Kyle Finnegan went to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for righties Josh Randall (the Tigers’ No. 15 prospect) and R.J. Sales.
The Chicago Cubs acquired starter Michael Soroka and sent infielder Ronny Cruz (their No. 17 prospect) and outfielder Christian Franklin to Washington.
Relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García joined the Los Angeles Angels; Washington received lefty Jake Eder (the Angels’ No. 24 prospect) and first baseman Sam Brown.
The New York Yankees nabbed utilityman Amed Rosario and sent the Nats righty Clayton Beeter and outfielder Browm Martinez.
Outfielder Alex Call went to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who gave up righties Sean Paul Liñan and Eriq Swan.
Beeter joined Washington’s major league roster immediately; the rest have the potential to do so down the road, but only time will tell.
Cellar dwellers
Did these moves spark any improvements in the Nats’ fortunes on the field? In short, no. In fact, Washington has played some historically bad baseball in the past month and has a firm grip on last place in the division with a .400 winning percentage. But there are still a few shining lights in the darkness.
James Wood fell into a dreadful slump around the All-Star break, but a move to the leadoff spot in the batting order appears to be helping him snap out of it. His five doubles and seven RBI in the last 15 games lead the team.
Washington’s current catching rotation of Drew Millas and Riley Adams has been effective; both are hitting .333 over that span. Robert Hassell III and Daylen Lile have also been quite productive lately: Hassell leads the team with a .346 average. Lile’s not far behind at .326, and he drove in what turned out to be the winning run in the top of the ninth against the Royals Wednesday.
As for the Nats’ pitching, there isn’t much good to say, but Finnegan’s departure opens the door for Jose A. Ferrer to be Washington’s closer. So far, he has one save, Aug. 9 against the Giants. And he got four outs and earned the win against the Royals. Neither came easily. Stay tuned.
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