3 team needs for the Nationals leading up to the trade deadline
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The Washington Nationals are a team without a lot of obvious holes.
The Nats have oozed talent for a couple of years now, and on paper they have put together some excellent squads
However, for all its talent, Washington has achieved fairly modest success. In 2012, the Nationals won the NL East only to fall in the first round to the St. Louis Cardinals. Last season, Washington was many experts' World Series pick, including 15 different ESPN analysts, but the team finished 86-76, 10 games out of the NL East lead.
This season, the Nationals sit atop the NL East as the trade deadline approaches and appear poised to make good on their potential. The Atlanta Braves, however, have different ideas and are only 1 1/2 games behind. The Nats could stand to add a couple of pieces to preserve their division lead.
1. Second Baseman
With Ryan Zimmerman heading to the DL, the Nationals have moved Anthony Rendon to third base and are starting Danny Espinosa at second base for the time being.
For a team that is in a tight division race, putting Espinosa in the lineup on the daily basis is not a good option. The 27-year-old is hitting a putrid .214/.281/.351 this year, which is actually an improvement over last season's .158/.193/.272.
Espinosa is a solid defender, but he has been awful at the dish in recent years. Even his career line of .228/.299/.389 is nothing to write home about.
With Zimmerman out indefinitely, Washington can't afford to keep running Espinosa out there. With Daniel Murphy unlikely to be dealt there aren't many great options available, but Washington only needs a stopgap until Zimmerman returns.
2. Left-handed reliever
The Nationals' relief corps has been impressive, combining for a 2.46 ERA and a 3.06 FIP. Washington does, however, lack a reliable left-hander to use late in games; Jerry Blevins is the only lefty in the 'pen at the moment, and he sports a 4.71 ERA.
Pitchers like James Russell, Antonio Bastardo, and Tony Sipp should be available, and Nationals manager Matt Williams could do with multiple additional weapons to get tough left-handed hitters out.
3. Fourth Outfielder
With Bryce Harper, Jason Werth and Denard Span roaming the outfield, the Nationals have one of the best trios in baseball. Harper has been both injured and relatively ineffective this season, but if he returns to form this is an elite unit.
What the team doesn't have is a guy who can spell any of these players, or take over temporarily should they suffer a minor injury like the sore knee Jason Werth has been dealing with this week. In fact, Washington's reserve outfielders have a combined fWAR of -0.8.
Good fits for the team could include players like Will Venable, Justin Ruggiano, and Chris Denorfia.