The Washington Nationals once again find themselves among a small handful of favorites to represent the National League in the World Series. However, they are on the lookout for middle infield help -- the potential final piece(s) to a championship run. With that being said, here's our list of 3 Trades The Washington Nationals Could Make Before The Deadline.
1. Trade upper-tier prospect (or cache of prospects) to Oakland A's for UT Ben Zobrist
This move would be a relative blockbuster in this year's trade market as Zobrist is the most versatile on-base threat out there this summer. Zobrist has gotten some outfield work in with the A's, but he'd be tabbed by the Nationals to solve their current middle infield dumpster fire. The price would be high (perhaps a deal headlined by someone like 2B/SS Wilmer Difo), but a Zobrist acquisition could be the golden ticket which pushes the Nats over the top in 2015.
2. Trade lower-tier duo of prospects to Arizona Diamondbacks for SS Cliff Pennington
Pennington has never been a masher over his eight-year MLB career, with his best production coming back in 2011 with the A's (26 doubles, 8 home runs, 58 RBI). He's a .241 hitter with one home run and 10 RBI in a scant 107 at-bats with Arizona this year. He's also entirely expendable for the Diamondbacks with their glut of middle infield options. Washington would be getting a dependable glove who can spot start and the cost wouldn't be prohibitive.
3. Trade mid-tier cache of prospects to Arizona Diamondbacks for 2B Chris Owings
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Owings has shouldered the bulk of the load for the Diamondbacks at second base this year, but hasn't produced much more from a pro-rated standpoint than Pennington -- .232/.261/.326 slash, three home runs and 21 RBI. However, Owings is still developing at 23 years old and has one year of team control and three years of arbitration eligibility ahead of him. He'll likely sniff the middle of the order, but he projects to have a bit more pop and consistency at the plate that Pennington ever had.
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