Even with Harper and Scherzer on the roster Phil Niekro Jersey , the Nationals finished a ho-hum 82-80 in 2018, "good" for a distant second place in the National League East. After winning three division titles in four years between 2014 and 2017, they watched the playoffs from their La-Z-Boys.Maybe it was a blip and the Nationals will surge back in 2019. But they're competing with the fast-rising Atlanta Braves, who won the division behind a burgeoning young core and boast the No. 2 farm system in the game, according to Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter.Then there are the Philadelphia Phillies, who finished two games behind Washington but also have a solid stockpile of up-and-coming talent and tons of payroll flexibility. Hence the rumblingsPhiladelphia might try to land Harper and fellow 26-year-old superstar Manny Machado.Even if that's a pipe dream (and it probably is), the Phillies could easily spend enough to lure Harper away from the Nationals鈥攁s could other deep-pocketed suitors such as the Los Angeles Dodgers.General manager Mike Rizzo said Harper was "in our plans" and "part of our family," per Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post. Those are warm and fuzzy words, but words don't pay record-breaking contracts, which is what Harper will demand and likely get. Odds are, the Nationals will wave goodbye to their brash franchise player.If so, they'll be in a tough spot, even with Scherzer.Now, imagine the haul they could get for a pitcher of Scherzer's pedigree. It would start with any team's top prospect (or two) and go from there. They could probably demand top prospects and MLB-ready players.The New York Yankees http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-tom-glavine-jersey , to cite one example, desperately need starting pitching. What if the Nats pried away outfielder (and Harper's buddy) Clint Frazier, top New York pitching prospect Justus Sheffield plus ancillary pieces?That's wild speculation, obviously. But the Nationals could ask for the moon in exchange for Scherzer, and suitors such as the Yanks, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros would immediately start swinging their space lassos.Alex Brandon/Associated PressIt's worth noting Scherzer is 34 years old. He's also owed more than $126 million, though a portion of that is deferred through 2028.That said, if the Nationals made him available, Rizzo's phone would light up like a kerosene-soaked jack-o'-lantern. Washington would have its pick of gaudy packages.The short-term optics would not be great. The odds of this happening are low. But the more you think about it, the more sense it makes.The Nationals have exciting young players to build around, including left fielder and possible NL Rookie of the Year Juan Soto, center fielder Victor Robles and shortstop Trea Turner. Maybe they should follow the Braves' and Phillies' lead by shedding salary and going young. Their current course has yielded multiple playoff appearances, but they've never advanced past the division series round.The road to success is frequently paved with difficult Chipper Jones Jersey , unpopular choices.Trading Scherzer would fit that description. It might also be the way to go. All statistics and contract information courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs. With the Home Run Derby in the rear-view mirror and the MLB All-Star game set to follow suit, we will soon be able to look ahead to the rest of the season.Well, after we take care of the July 31 trade deadline, that is.Aside from the World Series, the trade deadline is arguably the most exciting portion of the baseball season.Other professional sports also have similar deadlines, but none see as much movement as baseball can, with a myriad of players taking on new looks after the day.Here, we look at the rumors surrounding three players as we approach the end of July.Let's get started with a pitcher from the Charm City. Cubs Interested in Zach BrittonAfter dealing with a ruptured Achilles at the beginning of the season, Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton has since played in 15 games, accumulating four saves and an ERA just under 3.70 in that time.In the final year of his contract, the 30-year-old could be on the move from an Orioles squad that has been nothing short of abysmal this year, with a 28-69 record heading into the All-Star break and 39.5 games back of the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox.Now is the time for the Orioles to cut bait with some top talent and overhaul the roster, and they may have a buyer for Britton.According to Bruce Levine of670 The Score,that team could be the 55-38 Chicago Cubs http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-john-smoltz-jersey , though the article noted there are eight other contending teams vying for his services.As Levine reported, the Cubs have had a solid bullpen through this point in the season, though adding Britton would make it even more formidable for another NL Central title.If the Cubs can pull it off, they'll have Britton along with Brandon Morrow, Steve Cishek and Pedro Strop.That would make for an incredibly daunting quartet and that doesn't even include Carl Edwards Jr. Nationals 'Eyeing' Nathan EovaldiThis nugget was a little surprising.According to Marc Topkin of theTampa Bay Times,the Washington Nationals are reportedly "eyeing" Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi.In nearly 125 innings of work, the 28-year-old has mustered up a 9-8 record with an ERA of 4.76.While those numbers aren't appealing, what is even more head-scratching is that the Nationals rotation is a bit full, especially with Stephen Strasburg returning from the disabled list.However, it is possible he could replace Jeremy Hellickson or spot start here and there for Tanner Roark who has struggled as of late.Nick Cafardo of theBoston Globealso reported the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves "among others" have also been interested in Eovaldi.The Rays are floating above .500, but being nine games out of a wild-card spot headed by the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners could be tough to compete with.If they get a solid enough offer, Eovaldi could be on the move from Florida.Manny Machado on the Verge of Being DealtThis is what makes the MLB trade deadline the best in all of the professional sports: One of the top players is expected to be on the move and soon.According to Roch Kubatko ofMid-Atlantic Sports Network,the Orioles don't have a deal done with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Brewers are still involved:Roch Kubatko masnRochMultiple sources say #orioles don鈥檛 have deal done with #phillies for Machado.#dodgers and #brewers also still involved. Told 鈥渧ery close鈥?but nothing has been agreed upon yetWherever Machado ends up, he's going to make that club much better.All three teams鈥擯hillies Matt Kemp Jersey , Brewers and Dodgers鈥攁re either leading their respective divisions or are 2.5 games out.Machado is hitting.315 this season with 24 home runs and is just 26 years old.The Phillies have more than enough assets to swing a trade for the phenom, with guys such asEnyel De Los Santos, Cole Irvin, Ranger Suarez, Franklyn Kilome and JoJo Romero lurking in their farm system.Of course, the Orioles will likely try to get Sixto Sanchez in return, but the Phillies probably will try all they can to not trade one of the best prospects in all of baseball.If they can swing a deal for Machado without giving up Sanchez, that is a huge win. Granted, the Baltimore star is in the final year of his deal, so they could use that as leverage.Adding Machado will really put the Phillies over the top after the Midsummer Classic break as they seek their first NL East title since 2011. All statistics and contract information courtesy of Baseball-Reference.