MLB Trade Rumors: Anthony Rendon Could Become Best Player Available, Yankees Among Possible Suitors

The Washington Nationals lost again Monday night, falling to 19-28 in the 2019 MLB season. The team that was supposed to compete for the NL East title is now nine games out of first place with the second-worst record in the National League.

If things don’t turn around soon for Washington, the Nationals could become sellers leading up to the July 31 trade deadline. Anthony Rendon will be the biggest name to monitor this summer as he continues to put up monster numbers in the final year of his contract.

Rendon is playing like an MVP candidate, hitting .342/.433/.708 with nine home runs and 27 RBI in 33 games. There is increased speculation that Washington will let him walk in free agency, giving the organization even more incentive to trade him if they can’t climb their way back into the playoff race.

Headed for 100-plus losses and knowing they would lose Manny Machado in the offseason, the Baltimore Orioles traded the star infielder to the Los Angeles Dodgers for five prospects last summer. Washington entertained trade offers for Bryce Harper and nearly sent him to the Houston Astros, but they ultimately held onto the outfielder.

Harper signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $330 million during spring training after the Nationals missed the playoffs. Instead of potentially acquiring several highly touted prospects for their star player, Washington only came away with draft compensation months later.

ESPN’s Buster Olney noted on Monday’s edition of the “Baseball Tonight” podcast that the Nationals probably would have traded Harper during last season if given the chance to do it again. The insider suggested that contenders like the Astros, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox could all become interested in Rendon.

Olney said he thinks Rendon has "Yankees written all over him."

The Yankees might make the most sense for Rendon if he becomes available. The team was linked to Machado for the entire year before he hit free agency, and New York recently lost third baseman Miguel Andujar for the season because of a torn labrum.

Washington did become sellers in 2018 before the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline. The Nationals dealt the likes of Daniel Murphy, Gio Gonzalez and Ryan Madson. The waiver deadline has been eliminated this season, meaning a Rendon trade would have to come at some point within the next two months.

Rendon will be the most coveted position player next offseason, likely seeking a contract that will pay him at least $30 million per year.