Nationals: It's Time to Trade Stephen Strasburg

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo probably hasn't spent a minute thinking about this. But between now and the July 31 trade deadline, his #1 priority should be pulling off a blockbuster trade featuring Stephen Strasburg.

It has long been assumed that the Nationals will not be able to afford to sign both Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann to long-term deals, and it would be Zimmermann who would eventually end up elsewhere. But it is becoming clearer with each start that Zimmermann is the keeper.

After the much-hyped Strasburg, was drafted 1.1 in 2009, he immediately demonstrated why he would become and All-Star with a fastball consistently hitting 97-99 MPH, a developing change-up, and knee-buckling curve.

And post-Tommy John surgery in 2010, both his change-up and-the curve ball have gotten nothing but better. But his signature fastball hasn't regained the velocity or the movement, now sitting in the 94-96 range. Fastballs with movement at 97+ are almost unhittable, fast balls at 94 without much movement are not.

Even with the arsenal of pitches he now has, Strasburg is a very good pitcher, leading the NL in strikeouts with an ERA hovering around 3.00. But that's the rub. "Very good" may be as good as it gets -- while Zimmerman, with about the same velocity, better movement, and better control may end up being the true ace.

So the time to "sell high" and trade Strasburg.

If Rizzo is open to trade, I'm sure he will get a ton of interest. But here is one trade proposal that might make sense for both teams -- trading Strasburg and Danny Espinosa to Houston for second baseman Jose Altuve and pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Sell high by trading Strasburg now 

Altuve solves two problems for the Nats, with second base being their weakest everyday position, and leadoff being the weakest position in the lineup.  Altuve is pesky on an on-base machine with a .386 OPS so far in 2014 and a more than adequate glove, and Keuchel, though a notch below Strasburg (if he wasn't why would Houston make this deal),  is lefty and the Nationals only have one lefthanded starter in Gio Gonzalez. So he would better balance the Nats starting rotation.

From Houston's prospective, they would be getting a more-proven top of the rotation starter in Strasburg, even if not a true ace for the reasons stated here, who could take a lot of pressure off their developing young staff. And in Espinosa they get a top-notch gloveman for either second base or shortstop with some pop off his bat, though consistent contact and a high-strikeout rate have been a big challenge.

Whether or not this specific trade proposal is doable or the best one available, the best long-term move for Rizzo and the Nats is to commit to Zimmermann instead of Strasburg,  and to get good value for Strasburg now to solve the most glaring holes in the Nats lineup.