This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
ST. LOUIS -- The MLB Trade Deadline is Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, and the Nationals already have dealt Hunter Harvey to the Royals on July 14 and sent Jesse Winker to the Mets on Sunday morning.
Let’s take a look back to 2021, the memorable period when Washington began its trend of trading for the future.
July 30, 2021: Nationals send Scherzer, Turner to Dodgers in blockbuster
Washington traded right-hander Max Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner to Los Angeles for catcher Keibert Ruiz, right-hander Josiah Gray, righty Gerardo Carrillo and outfielder Donovan Casey.
• Ruiz became the Nationals' starting catcher and signed an eight-year, $50 million contract extension during the 2023 Spring Training. Ruiz is hitting .250 with 35 home runs and 150 RBIs over 348 games with the Nats.
• Gray earned his first All-Star selection in 2023, became the Nationals Youth Academy Ambassador and was named the 2024 Opening Day starter. In 72 starts with the Nationals, Gray is 17-27 with a 4.80 ERA in 378 2/3 innings. Gray underwent season-ending right elbow reconstruction surgery on Wednesday. He is expected to return in the second half of next season.
• Casey was named the Nationals' 2021 Minor League Defensive Player of the Year. He was called up from Triple-A Rochester in April 2022, but he returned to the Red Wings without making his Major League debut. Casey is playing this season with York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
• Carrillo was acquired as a prospect and reached Double-A Harrisburg with the Nationals organization. He signed a Minor League deal with the Rangers in December. Carrillo underwent Tommy John surgery in March.
July 30, 2021: Nationals deal Lester to Cardinals
Washington traded left-hander Jon Lester to St. Louis for outfielder Lane Thomas.
• Thomas had 84 games of Major League experience when he was acquired in the final deal of a hectic Trade Deadline for Lester, who retired at the end of the season. Thomas earned a role as a starting outfielder, and from there, he became a key player on both sides of the field. With a .256 batting average in four seasons with Washington, Thomas also has hit 60 homers and scored 238 runs.
July 30, 2021: Nationals trade Hudson to Padres
Washington traded right-hander Daniel Hudson to San Diego for right-hander Mason Thompson.
• Thompson became a multiple-innings pitcher in the Nationals' bullpen. He underwent Tommy John surgery in March. In 102 relief appearances with the Nats, Thompson is 6-8 with a 4.57 ERA and two saves across 100 1/3 innings.
July 30, 2021: Nationals send Gomes, Harrison to Athletics
Washington traded catcher Yan Gomes, utility player Josh Harrison and cash to Oakland for catcher Drew Millas, right-hander Richard Guasch and righty Seth Shuman.
• Millas made his Major League debut with the Nationals on Aug. 28, 2023. Millas has caught behind Ruiz and Adams, and he is playing in Triple-A. In 22 games (17 starts) with Washington, Millas slashed .224/.297/.379 with two home runs.
• The High-A Blue Rocks activated Guasch from the injured list on June 18. He is 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA in 12 relief appearances for Wilmington this season.
• Shuman is recovering this season from Tommy John surgery. He has advanced to Wilmington, where he has posted a 2.51 ERA in four starts (14 1/3 innings).
July 29, 2021: Nationals deal Hand to Blue Jays
Washington traded left-hander Brad Hand to Toronto for catcher Riley Adams and infielder Jordy Barley.
• Adams became the Nationals' backup catcher behind Ruiz. He has made 139 starts (160 total games) with the Nats, batting .232 with a .706 OPS, 28 doubles and 13 home runs.
• Barley was named the Nationals' Minor League Baserunner of the Year in 2021 and Defensive Player of the Year in ‘22. Barley advanced to Double-A this season, but he was released on July 7 after batting .157 in his first 37 games.
July 29, 2021: Nationals trade Schwarber to Red Sox
Nationals traded outfielder Kyle Schwarber to Red Sox for right-hander Aldo Ramirez.
• Ramirez underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022. He is pitching in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, where he is 1-1 with a 10.00 ERA in eight appearances (two starts).