Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies All Stalking Nationals Trade Candidates

0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The upstart Washington Nationals aren't letting their surprising success derail their trade deadline plans.

In fact, it might only strengthen their resolve to sell.

Despite having two of the most exciting young position players in MLB in CJ Abrams and James Wood, the Nats don't seem to be committed to keeping their core intact. Even a young, affordable piece like Curtis Mead was shipped out -- albeit for another similarly young, affordable piece in pitcher Connelly Early -- so the Nats still seem to be ready to sell as the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches.

The only thing that's changed is the type of selling they'll do.

Far from discouraging trade interest, the Nationals appear to be inviting it. Recent reports indicate the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays were scouting starting pitcher Foster Griffin, and that the Boston Red Sox had a scout at Nationals Stadium as well. Even the New York Yankees have been linked to the Nationals due to their need for a shortstop and the apparent availability of the All-Star Abrams, although prying him from Washington likely would require parting with top prospect George Lombard Jr.

That dripping sound you hear is the Nationals salivating over the thought of three big-market clubs like the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies showing interest in their talent.

The pesky Nats have shrugged off six years of ineptitude to put together a fine season. They entered Monday only one game back of a National League Wild Card spot. But rather than fall too deeply in love with the players who have fueled their success, the Nats appear to be letting that success up the trade value of those same players.

Griffin, 30, has been a revelation. He's 12-2 with a 2.76 ERA, 3.8 WAR, 154 ERA+ and 1.032 WHIP in his first season since returning from Japan. But he's headed for free agency and Washington probably won't ever be able to sell higher on him than it can now.

Abrams has a much more proven track record, having contributed more than 3.0 WAR for each of the last three seasons before this breakout campaign. But he's still incredibly streaky and there's still no consensus as to whether his .940 OPS is worth his brutal glove at short.

It makes sense, then, that the Nats are open to moving Griffin, Abrams or anyone else. Not only do the Phillies, Yankees and Red Sox have deep pockets, they also have prospects or controllable talent to offer. Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter, the Yankees' Lombard and Red Sox shortstop Franklin Arias as the prizes of each team's system. Unlikely though it may be that the Nats will be able to land any of those studs, it certainly should be fun for Washington to stick those three behemoths in a room and hope they outbid each other.

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