The Washington Nationals are looking towards its future after dropping an anvil of a fire sale ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. The Nationals traded away several veterans, including mainstay Trea Turner and pitching legend Max Scherzer.
The aftermath has the Nationals focused on a rebuild centered around 22-year old slugger Juan Soto. In their first game following the fire sale, the Nationals got a glimpse of their future when 21-year old second baseman Luis Garcia crushed a 402-foot homer off Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta in the second inning to break a scoreless tie.
Arrieta hung a sinker chest-high for Garcia to launch into the stands in right field of Nats Park.
It was Garcia’s first homer of the season and third of his young career. The timing of the solo blast was fitting. There was a somber feeling hovering over the organization after a tough two days signaled the state of the franchise.
Washington traded eight veterans in total, highlighted by the blockbuster trade of Scherzer and Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But Garcia’s blast signified hope towards the future. Garcia and third baseman Carter Kieboom are slated to get lots of playing time for the remainder of the season, manager Dave Martinez said.
Friday was the beginning of a new era in DC baseball. There will be a new course of direction a core filled with new names.
So it was a promising sign as Kieboom went 2-for-3 and Garcia homered in the first game after the fire sale. The Nationals went on to defeat the Cubs 4-3.
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