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MLB • 10 months ago

5 Washington Nationals Who Must Be Dealt Before 2015 Trade Deadline

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Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

5 Washington Nationals Who Should Be Dealt Before 2015 Trade Deadline

Mike Rizzo Nationals — The Washington Nationals and general manager Mike Rizzo have some serious decisions to make before the July 31 trade deadline. The team is clearly not playing well enough to win a World Series title right now, which was the goal entering the season. The starting pitching has been a tremendous letdown, and the bullpen is in shambles. Rizzo has five current players he could use to help solidify the roster for a World Series run.

The Washington Nationals and general manager Mike Rizzo have some serious decisions to make before the July 31 trade deadline. The team is clearly not playing well enough to win a World Series title right now, which was the goal entering the season. The starting pitching has been a tremendous letdown, and the bullpen is in shambles. Rizzo has five current players he could use to help solidify the roster for a World Series run.

5. Dan Uggla

5. Dan Uggla

Dan Uggla has had his moments this season for the Nationals, but for the most part, he has looked like the same incapable hitter who played for the Atlanta Braves. That being said, Uggla could be nice bench piece for a contending team as a right-handed pinch-hitting option. There won't be room for Uggla on the Nationals once Anthony Rendon returns from the disabled list, so it would behoove Rizzo to get something in return for him soon.

4. Doug Fister

4. Doug Fister

Doug Fister was a great addition for the Nationals in the 2013 offseason, and he was a big contributing factor to the Nationals winning the NL East. Fister's contract expires at the end of 2015, so he would be a nice trade chip to try and get a bullpen piece in return. That would also allow the Nationals to put Tanner Roark back in the starting rotation.

3. Ian Desmond

3. Ian Desmond

I have been clamoring for a few years now that the Nationals need to deal Ian Desmond, because he is a liability in the field and at the plate. Desmond has been a great clubhouse and on-the-field leader for the team, but at some point you have to validate yourself as a leader and perform, and Desmond has struggled to do so. He repeatedly turns routine plays into errors, and at the plate he strikes out way too much, often in key situations.

2. Jordan Zimmermann

2. Jordan Zimmermann

Jordan Zimmermann is the Washington Nationals player I respect the most. He gives everything he has every time he steps between the lines, whether he has his best stuff or not. He has a bulldog mentality meaning he is going to give the hitter a fight in every at-bat. He made this list is because he would bring in the biggest return, and he will also be a free agent at season's end. If a team is willing to buy high, Rizzo has to trade him.

1. Denard Span

1. Denard Span

Denard Span is the guy who must be dealt with no questions asked. The Nationals are not going to re-sign him when he becomes a free agent after the season, and the team already has a replacement, Michael A. Taylor, chomping at the bit to become the everyday center fielder. Span could bring one of the final pieces to the puzzle in return, and the Nationals would not be skipping a beat with Taylor in his place.

Jason Fletcher is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.

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Jason Fletcher is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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