Brewers Trade Deadline: 3 Potential Washington Nationals Trade Targets

It’s Trade Deadline season and the trade rumors surrounding the Milwaukee Brewers are heating up. So far reports have indicated that David Stearns will leave no stones unturned. In other words, he is listening and exploring all options.

Another team doing something similar is the Washington Nationals. With the Nats faltering in the standings as of late, they are in full sell mode whereas the Brewer are in buy mode. This could mean a deal between the two very possible.

BetOnline recently listed the Brewers as having the third best odds to land star Max Scherzer.  Should Stearns pull this trade off it certainly would signify that he is all in on the 2021 season.

More realistically there are other players to choose from the Nationals squad. Reporter Jon Heyman recently indicated that everyone except Juan Soto is available.

With so many Nationals to choose from, lets take a look at three players who could be trade targets for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2021 Trade Deadline.

Max Scherzer will not be included in this discussion.

Brewers Trade Target #1: Nationals RHP Daniel Hudson

After a rough 2020 season, Hudson is performing more to expectations in 2021.  He has appeared in 31 games out of the Nationals bullpen and has a 2.20 ERA.  His K:9 ratio currently sits at a career high of 13.2.

Following this season Hudson will be a free agent, which increases his odds of being dealt prior to the trade deadline.  Hudson has lots of late game experiencing and could help sure up the back end of the Brewers bullpen.  Rumors have indicated that the Brewers are pursuing bullpen arms so adding Hudson would make sense.

Brewers Trade Target #2: Nationals 1B Josh Bell

As a former Pirate, Josh Bell’s breakout season came in 2019.  That year he was an All-Star and finished with 37 home runs and 116 RBI’s. However, he had a down 2020 season and was traded to the Nationals for a pair of prospects. Bell currently has one more year of club control left and his base salary was $6.35MM this year.

In 2021 he started the year off slow but has been rebounding nicely as of late. While we cannot expect his 2019 season level of production, Bell is a switch hitter who could provide power from both sides of the plate. He would certainly be an offensive upgrade for the Brewers at first base.

Brewers Trade Target #3: Nationals LHP Brad Hand

As a three time All-Star and long time closer with 125 career saves, there is a lot to like about Brad Hand. He has served as the Nationals closer this season and has recorded 20 saves.

Aside from Josh Hader the Brewers do not have another dominant left handed pitcher. Brent Suter’s 2021 has been a bit of a rollercoaster so adding Hand would be very beneficial. Between his history and the fact he would be a rental for the remainder of the season, lots of teams will be inquiring about him.

Including Scherzer, all of these players stand a good chance of being moved before Friday’s trade deadline. The Brewers have been very active in exploring options so far and the Nationals could make a good trade partner. Also, none of these players would cost a ton in terms of prospects in order to acquire.