Teams are currently evaluating the landscape of MLB as the Aug. 31 trade deadline vastly approaches. Washington Nationals prospect Carter Kieboom appears to be gauging interest from some teams around the league.
According to MLB insider Robert Murray, some teams have done homework on Kieboom.
It’s unclear if the Nationals would entertain trading Kieboom. However, the team is in need of some starting pitching after Stephen Strasburg underwent season-ending surgery for carpel tunnel.
At 22 years of age, Kieboom has long been viewed as one of the Nationals’ top prospect. However, he has struggled each of the last two seasons at the plate in the majors.
The Nationals optioned Kieboom to their alternate training site on Wednesday to make room on their active roster for the returning left-hand reliever Sean Doolittle. Kieboom has been consistently bad batting. He is hitting .169/.299/.236 with 15 walks and 36 strikeouts in 107 plate appearances since debuting in 2019.
Kieboom is still young and expected to be a future piece within the Nationals’ infield. However, the Nationals are positioned well if they were to move on from Kieboom. Starlin Castro, who is currently on the injured list with a broken wrist, is signed through 2021.
With Castro out, the Nationals have discovered another young gem in 20-year old Luis Garcia. Garcia has plugged in at second base, hitting .317/.333/.439 in 42 plate appearances since being called up this month.
The Nationals also have Howie Kendrick, Asdrubal Cabrera and Josh Harrison. Kendrick has a mutual option for 2021. Cabrera has been a strong fit.
The need for Kieboom isn’t as great, but the need of another starting pitcher is more prevalent for the Nationals. Even beyond this season with Anibal Sanchez struggling as a fourth starter and the glaring hole for a fifth starter.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said the club will be aggressive towards the trade deadline this year, even with the unique circumstances of a 60-game schedule. Moving Kieboom could be part of the equation and according to Murray it appears there is interest from other MLB teams.
