The Nationals are officially packing it in for 2018 with multiple trades

The Nationals mostly stood pat at the non-waiver trade deadline, making only a few moves around the end-of-July deadline like trading Brandon Kintzler and DFA’ing Shawn Kelley. But those decisions seemed like they were more related to potential clubhouse issues than improving the team or admitting their season was a lost one.

Now, Washington is admitting this season is a lost one. A few hours before they are set to play the Phillies — who are only one game back of the division lead and in a more secure postseason contending position than their fellow division mates — the Nationals started shipping people out of town.

So far, only a few trades have been confirmed and one has decidedly NOT been confirmed, which is just as important with all of the waiver claims happening. Follow along here as the Nationals say so long, farewell to multiple members of the team.

Daniel Murphy to the Cubs

The Cubs are trying to hold back both the Brewers and Cardinals from surpassing them for the division lead, and have scored the second fewest runs in the National League in August at just 57. So it makes sense that they’d be looking for a bat and three-time all-star Murphy is a fine move if not one that will help them on both sides of the ball.

Advanced-A infielder Andruw Monasterio is going back to Washington in the trade. Murphy has six homers and is hitting .300/.341/.442 in the 56 games he’s played this season after returning from knee surgery.

Matt Adams to the Cardinals

The Cubs made a move, and so did the Cardinals. St. Louis has been the post-trade deadline surprise and are now only 3 1/2 games back of the Cubs for the NL Central lead after being as far as 7 1/2 games back at the trade deadline.

They’ll face the Cubs and Brewers for three games more each at the end of the season so a final push could secure them not just one of the Wild Card spots but the division title. They got first baseman Matt Adams for cash, who returns to the Cardinals after spending the first five-plus seasons of his career there. He’s currently hitting .257/.332/.510 with 18 home runs and can give them a needed boost on offense as they hope to continue their climb up the rankings.

Bryce Harper to no one

Bryce Harper was reportedly claimed by the Dodgers, but a deal isn’t happening. So the Nationals’ fire sale isn’t going quite as far as it could, but Harper was never likely to go unless it was an amazing offer from a claiming team.

Even if the Nationals are admitting their season is over, not having Harper end his season with the Nationals when it could be his final weeks with the team would be questionable. Unless they couldn’t say no. And hey, maybe this is more proof than ever Harper is staying in D.C.