Are we buyers or sellers? That question now becomes one of the biggest in baseball as we start the countdown to the July 31 trade deadline.
The obvious answer for the Nationals, in fifth place in the National League East, is that weâll be sellers. But the correct answer is we could be either.
Remember, last yearâs acquisitions of Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez werenât considered a “sellers” type trade. We are building here, not tearing down. We do not have players we have to “dump” instead we do have key pieces that could help a team win a division while improving our future.
For example, weâre obviously happy with Dmitri Young; heâs such a good influence on the kids. For young hitters to watch what it takes to hit .300 is a very good thing. The only way you make a deal with a team on a player like that is because it gives your club the chance to win sooner. But keeping him is an option, too.
Pretty soon the trade rumors will begin. Our goal remains unchanged. We are trying to improve our long-term starting rotation and middle-of-the-order offense. Our preference is to trade for young players that are on the verge of playing in the major leagues, but would consider young veterans already in the big leagues, if they figure into the future. The drafting of starting pitchers Ross Detwiler, Josh Smoker, Jordan Zimmerman and Bradley Meyers and potential middle-of-the-order bat Michael Burgess, we hope will be good long-term building blocks. The key now is to sign them. Weâre making progress.
As we look to improve through trades, our scouts are also in the field evaluating players who will be free agents at seasonâs end. We are also monitoring closely our farm system. This past week we promoted four of our top position players from Hagerstown in the South Atlantic League to Potomac in the Carolina League. The entire outfield of Justin Maxwell, Mike Daniel and Chris Marrero were promoted to Potomac.
Maxwell, a fourth-round pick two years ago, had not played a lot of ball in the past because of injuries. But heâs healthy and is not chasing bad breaking balls anymore. He could go through the system extremely fast.
Another one who will be promoted soon is lefty pitcher Cory Van Allen, who will be moved to Potomac on Friday.
And of course, Iâve been asked a lot lately about hot-hitting Brandon Watson with our Triple A affiliate in Columbus. Brandon was released by the Tigers in spring training and then we signed him. Sometimes, a wake-up call can do wonders for athletes. Hopefully, at some point this year, he will get another major league opportunity with us; he certainly deserves the chance. The problem is that none of our outfielders have an option, and I would hate to lose one of them through waivers. Brandonâs a good person and I am personally rooting for him.
Rookie manager Manny Acta has done a great job; our clubhouse atmosphere is sensational thanks to great young player leadership with some veteran guidance. Progress is being made. The next six weeks should be interesting both on and off the field.
As told to The Examinerâs John Keim.
Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden provides an exclusive column to The Examiner each week, ranging on topics from the Nats to the state of Major League Baseball.
