Wire Taps: MVP of the Nationals so far; Zach Britton to the Nats?; Off-the-radar relievers

Okay. A major trade has finally occurred. So that should be the beginning of trade season, right? Right?

Right?

Here’s the latest from Cincinnati.

Who's the MVP of the Nationals to this point?
Rendon? Harper? Zimmerman? Murphy? None of the above?

Seven ways the 2018 All-Star Game at Nationals Park can improve on this season's ASG in Miami
1. Keep Metro open. 2. Focus on the YBA. 3. Really, really cool parade.

The Nats have called the Orioles about Zach Britton
A Nats-Orioles trade would break insane amounts of precedent, but what's to say it can't be done?

MASN Dispute ruling is in favor of Nationals
It still doesn't solve anything really -- the Nats don't get any money, and the legal negotiations only continue as the Nationals will go before another board to determine the rights fees owed to the Nationals.

The MASN debate is finally looking like it's close to being over. It could be a major (source of) relief (pitchers)
The Nats will eventually have some money coming in. In the meantime, if that's all that happens this month, we have a major problem on our hands. Luckily, there are some options for the Nats to go out and get for relief pitching.

Six relief candidates that are really, really off the radar
Kahnle? Parker? Hernandez? Mike freaking Minor? Who?

The five things that will keep the Nationals from making the playoffs
Number one will absolutely not shock you.

Gonzalez will start Friday, Scherzer gets Saturday
The Nats have the first four pitchers of their rotation set for the beginning of the second half of the season. The fifth remains to be seen.

How mid-July looks to be shaping up
The Nats don't have the world's easiest schedule to start the second half (although granted, not the world's hardest), but most fans will be paying more attention to the transaction sheets and trade market.

Today’s Game: Nationals vs Reds — 7:10 PM
Probable Pitchers: Gio Gonzalez vs Tim Adleman