The Washington Nationals have one of the best records in baseball six weeks into the 2016 MLB season but they are behind the league-leading Chicago Cubs in terms of overall team quality. According to the latest rumors, the Nationals will need to improve some aspects of their team in order to get past the Cubs, just in case they meet in the postseason.
Before they faced the Cubs in their first season series, Washington have the second-best record in the league. However, they suffered a four-game sweep causing them to drop in the standings.
Even though the Nationals have the best player in baseball, Bryce Harper, but they lack an additional power bat in their lineup. According to FanSided, the team from the nation's capital must need to trade for a player like Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies or Edwin Encarnacion of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Gonzalez has been part of trade rumors for the past couple of years, but nothing has come close to happening. He could be an additional power bat in the Nationals lineup as hit 40 home runs last season and also a defensive stalwart in the outfield.
On the other hand, there have been no confirmed rumors regarding the Blue Jays putting Encarnacion on the trading block. However, that move is expected because Toronto may not be able to re-sign him and Jose Bautista.
Both players will be a free agent after the season, but the Blue Jays may choose to retain Bautista. As for Encarnacion's fit with the Nationals, he is a powerful hitter that could help Harper in the lineup.
Nonetheless, every other contending team will need to upgrade their roster because the Cubs are considered the favorites to win the World Series. Chicago is already missing one player but their overall depth and talent are very difficult to beat, evidenced by their current record of 25-6.
The Nationals most recent move does not concern this season's campaign but the future. According to ESPN, the team has signed starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg to a seven-year, $175 million extension.
Besides Strasburg, the Nationals will also need to prioritize securing a long-term deal with reigning NL MVP, Bryce Harper. Acquiring players like Gonzalez and Encarnacion would give Harper hope that he could win a championship in Washington.
Check out the video below for the highlights of the Cubs vs. Nationals game on May 6.