The Nationals were humiliated 11-0 Friday in the opener of a doubleheader against the Mets. That dropped the Nationals a season-high-tying five games under .500, 8 1/2 games out of first place and further into the conversation for biggest underachievers of 2013.
A few days earlier hitting coach Rick Eckstein had been fired, a decision manager Davey Johnson opposed so much he told Mike Rizzo that the GM could fire him instead. Later that night struggling former closer Drew Storen was optioned to Triple-A and teammate Tyler Clippard came out and blasted the organization for how Storen was treated.
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WAITING GAME: With young stars like Bryce Harper, the Nationals aren't ready to give up on the season.
So the Nats were a story of disappointment, discord and despair.
But here is something also to remember — a story of talent. That was on better display as Washington won the next three games against the Mets, allowing three runs in total.
An opposing scout, in fact, said Washington is the most obvious team currently with a losing record capable of "pulling a Dodgers," which is to say putting together a sustained run of excellence to get from below .500 to the top of a division. When reached yesterday by phone, Rizzo offered the same observation, saying, "We haven't had our run yet, and I think we are talented enough to have a Dodger-type run."
That is why with the trade deadline approaching the Nationals are still in buy mode — but mainly for bench help. Because their frontline players — at least on paper — still look so good.
Washington, however, remains one of six teams that began the year in go-for-it-mode that reached trade deadline week in crisis. The Yankees, Blue Jays, Giants, Phillies and Angels are the others. You could arguably add the Rangers, who have endured big pitching injuries and have had their offense shut down.
Of that group, the sense is Toronto will sell, and over the weekend the Phils and the Angels pushed into that group, as well — at least for pieces such as Philadelphia's Michael Young (the Yankees have some interest still) and Los Angeles lefty reliever Scott Downs. The Giants were also leaning that way, particularly to see if with so many clubs in dire need of righty power (the Yankees and Rangers among them), some team might be willing to make a big bid for free-agent-to-be Hunter Pence.
The Yanks and Nationals are the only members of that group showing no inclination to sell. Yes, the Yankees would move Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes if they could get a positive return, but they would not see that as surrendering on 2013. Rizzo said the Natioanals also could potentially sell, but only to enhance the current team. He did say his policy at the deadline has been that any acquisition should not be a rental and, thus, could help Washington beyond this year.
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