Unlike last year, Nats may be Deadline players

PHILADELPHIA -- Last year at this time, manager Davey Johnson said the Nationals didn't need to make a move before the non-waiver Trade Deadline on July 31. At the time, the Nationals had one of the best records in baseball, thanks to their timely hitting and stalwart pitching staff.

The Nationals didn't make a move before the Deadline, but they did acquire catcher Kurt Suzuki from the Athletics on Aug. 3.

This year, the Nationals may have to make some moves. Entering Wednesday's action, the team was tied for second place with a 34-36 record, seven games behind the Braves.

As one baseball source put it, the team may need to go out and get a veteran right-handed hitter for the bench. The Nationals started the season hoping that Tyler Moore could provide power off the bench, but he was recently sent down to Triple-A Syracuse to find his swing. There is a chance Moore could be back to help the Major League team. In eight games for Syracuse, Moore is 8-for-32 (.250) with two home runs and eight RBIs.

But the source said the biggest boost to the team would be getting outfielder Bryce Harper and catcher Wilson Ramos back in the lineup. Both players are on the disabled list because of knee and hamstring issues, respectively.

"Those were the biggest blows," the source said.

Before he got hurt, Harper was clearly the best player on the Nationals. He was leading the team in almost every offensive category. He is currently working on strengthening his left knee, which he hurt after crashing into the right-field wall at Dodger Stadium in May.

Ramos hasn't played a Major League game since mid-May, but he is performing baseball activities in Florida.

While no timetable has been set, the Nationals are hoping that Harper and Ramos will be back in a couple of weeks.

Another question is whether the Nationals need a fifth starter.Thus far, right-hander Dan Haren has been inconsistent, going 4-8 with a 5.72 ERA. But the source doesn't think the Nationals are looking for a starter. 

The Nationals are paying Haren $13 million this year and they are going to give him every chance to get his act together.