Nationals' 'top' deadline priority could include trade for $50.5 million Rockies reliever

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Nationals' 'top' deadline priority could include trade for $50.5 million Rockies reliever originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Washington Nationals are making an unexpected push towards the postseason.

The NL East organization is a year or two ahead of its rebuilding timeline under Paul Toboni, the franchise's new president of baseball operations.

At 46-45, the Nationals are just three games out of the third and final NL Wild Card spot.

They might not be big spenders, but several potentially available relievers could make a significant impact, writes The Athletic's Jim Bowden.

"The Nationals are making relief pitching their top trade priority, and the market will be flooded with relievers," wrote Bowden. "Some possible targets include: Antonio Senzatela, Seth Halvorsen, Matt Gage, Keaton Winn, Chase Silseth and Sam Bachman."

Senzatela, in the final year of a five-year, $50.5 million contract with the Colorado Rockies, was named the best fit for the Nationals.

The right-hander has completely reinvented himself in a bullpen role after posting ERAs above 6.50 in each of the past two seasons.

Senzatela is throwing harder, and opposing batters are hitting just .186 against his cutter, the second-most-used pitch in his arsenal.

MORE: Rays trade idea sends top-10 prospect in MLB to Tigers for Tarik Skubal

The Nationals have put together a surprisingly strong offense. Adding a few reliable arms at the deadline could surge them to their first postseason appearance since winning the World Series in 2019.

Senzatela would be a solid start in that process.

More MLB news:​

• Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez is planned NL All-Star starter
• 3 reasons why Braves are perfect fit for Tarik Skubal at MLB trade deadline
• Padres have ‘no choice’ but to be trade deadline sellers if things don’t turn around
• Phillies DFA No. 13-ranked prospect Jean Cabrera to keep Bryan De La Cruz
• Blue Jays trade idea swaps two top-10 prospects to Mets for Freddy Peralta

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