Nationals hold firm as trade deadline passes

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

August 01, 2016, 12:22pm

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PHOENIX - The trade deadline has come and gone, and the Nationals roster remains the same as it was 24 hours ago.

The Nationals weren't close to pulling off any deals in advance of the 4 p.m. EDT deadline, according to club sources, but that wasn't a surprising development considering they already addressed their biggest stretch-run need over the weekend with the acquisition of Mark Melancon.

With their new closer in place, the Nationals explored the possibility of adding more bullpen help or possibly another bat, but nothing materialized on either front as the final hours ticked down.

The club is content to proceed with a bullpen that now features Melancon pitching the ninth inning, with some combination of Shawn Kelley, Sammy Solis, Blake Treinen, Oliver Perez, Matt Belisle, Yusmeiro Petit, Jonathan Papelbon and possibly prospects Koda Glover and Reynaldo Lopez filling out the rest of the unit.

Offensively, the Nationals plan to continue giving Trea Turner extensive playing time (most likely in center field) while holding down the club's previously ineffective leadoff spot. They're also counting on struggling regulars Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman to rediscover their lost swings.

Though this trade deadline has passed, it's always worth remembering that clubs can still make trades throughout August, provided all players involved first pass through waivers. The Nationals made such deals in each of their previous National League East title runs, acquiring catcher Kurt Suzuki from the Athletics in 2012 and left-hander Matt Thornton from the Yankees in 2014.