The Washington Nationals currently sit 7.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, and Washington made it clear today that the team is getting set to turn the page on this season.
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo sent first basemen Matt Adams back to his old club, the St. Louis Cardinals, in exchange for cash considerations. The Nats also parted ways with Daniel Murphy, sending him to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a minor leaguer and cash.
Daniel Murphy
Murphy was an absolute mainstay during his time in the nation’s capital, making two all-star teams in 2016 and 2017 while hitting over .300 in all three seasons in a Nats uniform. Murphy made his big league debut way back in 2008 for the New York Mets, whom he spent seven seasons with. The second basemen was a postseason hero for the Mets in 2015, hitting seven homers in just nine playoff games. This season for the Nationals, Murphy was hitting .300 with six home runs and 29 RBI in 56 games.
Murphy now heads to a team in the Cubs who are a legitimate contender this year. Chicago currently sits three games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. The 33-year old adds an impact bat to the Cubbies and also some versatility in the infield. Chicago is in dire need of an offensive spark as they have struggled immensely lately at the plate, so Murphy should make an immediate impact.
Matt Adams
Adams spent this season with the Nationals after signing with them before spring training. The 30-year old spent time playing first base and the outfield with the Nats. He is hitting .257 with 18 homers and 48 RBI this year. Adams now heads back to the club where he broke into the big leagues back in 2012. Adams was given the nickname “Big City” by Cardinals fans after hitting some huge homers throughout his tenure with St. Louis, including a huge three-run bomb off Clayton Kershaw in the 2014 National League Division Series that knocked the Los Angeles Dodgers ace out of the game.
The Cardinals cut ties with Adams last May, sending him to the Braves in exchange for a prospect. Adams performed well with Atlanta, hitting .271 with 19 homers and 58 RBI in 100 games last season.
St. Louis was in need of another left-handed power bat immediately, and with the Nationals looking to shed players, Adams looked to be the right choice for the Cardinals.
Washington begins rebuilding
The Nationals also put Bryce Harper on waivers with the Dodgers claiming the all-star outfielder. However, the two teams could not reach an agreement for the phenom, so he will stay with the Nationals for the remainder of the season. Harper will be a free agent at the end of the season, and there is a solid chance he will leave Washington.
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