We’ve posted this quote from Mike Rizzo on 106.7 the FAN in D.C.’s Sports Junkies this week in several trade stories, but it’s useful for context as the Washington Nationals’ GM gets the expiring contracts off the club’s books in the lead-up to this afternoon’s trade deadline.
“We’re certainly going to be sellers,” Rizzo told the Junkies, “... and open-minded about all players that have a contract that ends this season.
“We won’t have those players with us next season anyways, unless you re-sign them, which is always a possibility.”
Since making those comments, Rizzo had traded (reportedly in some cases) Max Scherzer, Kyle Schwarber, Daniel Hudson, Trea Turner (who was under team control through 2022), and now both Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison, all of whom, (with the noted exception of Turner), were heading to free agency this winter unless re-signed or extended by the team.
Harrison and Gomes are the latest to go, with multiple reports now confirming that two old friends have once again struck a deal with the utility man and catcher shipped to Oakland’s A’s, a frequent trade partner for the Nationals.
The Oakland A’s are in agreement on a deal to acquire infielder Josh Harrison and catcher Yan Gomes from the Washington Nationals. Deal is pending medicals.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
Source confirms that the Nationals and Athletics have a deal in place that will send both Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison to Oakland. Turns out Harrison goes, after all. Knew the Nationals were trying to package some rentals. @JeffPassan first.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) July 30, 2021
You thought the A's and Nats were going to pass up making a trade together at this Deadline? Hah https://t.co/Ve2KYTlz33
— Andrew Simon (@AndrewSimonMLB) July 30, 2021
No wonder there’s no lineup for the Nationals’ series opener with the Chicago Cubs tonight.
Who’s going to actually be left by the time the trade deadline passes?
No word yet on what the return for Gomes and Harrison will be, but, yeah, Rizzo and Co. in the Nationals’ front office do not mess around when they set their minds on a reboot. More info when it’s available...
Here’s the reported return from the A’s for the Nationals:
Coming to the Nationals from A’s for Gomes and Harrison, per source: Drew Millas, Seth Shuman, Richard Guasch.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2021
Milas, a catcher, is ranked 28th on MLB Pipeline’s list of the top prospects in the A’s system, while Shuman is a 23-year-old right-handed starter drafted in the 6th Round in 2019, who’s got a 2.25 ERA in 13 games and 11 starts at High-A in Oakland’s organization, and Guasch is a 23-year-old, Cuban-born right-hander who has a 4.63 ERA in 13 games and nine starts at High-A as well.