The Nationals breakout player ‘gaining traction’ in trade talks

With the Washington Nationals preparing ahead of the trade deadline in early August, there is one player on the team who is reported to be getting a lot of interest from other teams. As the baseball world predicts what the Nationals will do at the trade deadline, the young star that is being thrown around in talks is Luis Garcia Jr., who is in the midst of a productive season.

Will Sammon and Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic would report that “multiple teams are expressing interest” in trading for Garcia, who is currently recording a .284 batting average to go along with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs.

“With the distinct possibility that the trade market will lack power-hitting options, infielder Luis García Jr.’s breakout season with the Washington Nationals presents an intriguing opportunity,” Sammon and Nusbaum wrote. “Multiple teams are expressing interest in acquiring García in a trade, said people familiar with the situation who were granted anonymity in exchange for candor.”

Where the Nationals are with a potential Luis Garcia Jr. trade 

While many teams have interest in the 26-year-old Nationals slugger, Sammon and Nusbaum would warn fans that talks of a potential deal “remain in a preliminary stage.” As the trade deadline is on Aug. 3, Washington is said to have not yet ‘seriously engaged on the topic,’ though the ball club is “open to listening further about García.”

“Any talks between the Nationals and other clubs regarding García, however, remain in a preliminary stage,” Sammon and Nusbaum wrote. “With just over two weeks before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Washington has yet to seriously engage on the topic. The Nationals are open to listening further about García, but they value him highly because of his talent and an additional year of club control at a relatively reasonable dollar figure.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen if the Nationals trade Garcia or not, as the team currently has a 49-49 record, which puts them fourth in the NL East, as they continue the series against the Athletics on Saturday.