Buyers or sellers: Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals

Record: 47-55

Games out of playoffs: 17.0 in NL East, 6.0 in wild card

Buyer or seller: Seller

Expectations were low for the Washington Nationals heading into the 2024 season, and with less than a week before the trade deadline they are out of the race in the National League East but have a little hope for a wild-card spot.

Only six games out, the Nationals will have trouble gaining ground with their roster but have pieces that would be great for contenders looking to make a push.

Outfielders Jesse Winker and Lane Thomas, along with relievers Derek Law and Kyle Finnegan, are a few of the names that make the most sense to shop around. At least one NL contender has been linked to interest in a pair of players from that group.

As the trade deadline approaches, here is a player the Nationals should deal to continue their rebuild.

One move to make: Trade closer Kyle Finnegan

Making his first All-Star appearance this season, Finnegan is in the middle of a career year that has seen him convert 28 out of 32 saves with a 2.32 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.

Drafted in 2013 by the Oakland Athletics, Finnegan didn't make his MLB debut until the 2020 season and has proven to be a reliable arm with a career 3.34 ERA.  At 32 years old, Finnegan doesn't line up with the Nationals' timeline to becoming contenders and by dealing him now he could fetch a good return that would add to the 12th-best farm system in the MLB.

Featuring a plus fastball that averages 97.2 mph, Finnegan throws it 68% of the time while also mixing in a split-finger fastball and a seldom-used slider. 

While he won't require a top prospect in return, Finnegan is currently making $5.1M and will have one more year of arbitration before becoming a free agent in 2026.

With teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees in search of reliable bullpen arms, Finnegan is an underrated option that could help lock down the late innings as teams make their playoff push.