The Nationals have acquired 25-year old shortstop Alberto Gonzalez from the Yankees for 22-year old righty pitcher Jhonny Nunez. Gonzalez has played in 28 games for the Yankees this season and he was 9 for 52 (.173 avg, .444 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 1 RBI. He has now played in 40 games in his major league career and he is 10 for 66 (.152 avg, .393 OPS) with 7 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Gonzalez does not have a lot of upside as he projects to be a reserve infielder in the major leagues. He has also played in 47 games at AAA this season and he is 47 for 188 (.250 avg, .669 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 4 homers, 23 RBIs and 4 stolen bases.

Jhonny Nunez was the #25 ranked prospect in the Nationals’ minor league system coming into the season according to Baseball America. He has pitched in 26 games (17 starts) in A+AA ball this season and he is 2-8 with a 4.85 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He has struck out 90 batters in only 89 innings in the minors which shows what kind of stuff he has. I don’t like this trade for the Nationals as Nunez has a lot more upside than Gonzalez does.

23-year old lefty starting pitcher John Lannan has been outstanding this season but you wouldn’t know it looking at his record. Lannan has started 20 games this season for the Nationals and he is 6-10 with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He should have a lot more wins than he has as either the Nationals’ offense or bullpen often seems to let him down when he pitches. Still, it’s nice to see a young pitcher that the Nationals can try to build a pitching staff around.

The Washington Nationals have designated catcher Johnny Estrada for assignment. He played in 23 games for the Nationals this season and he was 9 for 53 (.170 avg, .370 OPS) with 0 runs scored and 4 RBIs. The Nationals’ didn’t feel the need to carry 4 catchers anymore and Jesus Flores, Wil Nieves and Paul LoDuca are all ahead of Estrada on the depth chart. Maybe the Marlins or Astros will have some interest in Estrada. The Nationals have activated outfielder Lastings Milledge from the D.L. Milledge has played in 80 games this season for the Nationals and he is 74 for 302 (.245 avg, .680 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 7 homers, 32 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

The Nationals have traded 29-year old righty closer Jon Rauch to the Diamondbacks for 2B/SS Emilio Bonifacio. Rauch pitched in 48 games for the Nationals this season and he is 4-2 with 17 saves, a 2.98 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. The Nationals’ will probably go with a closer by committee with Rauch gone to Arizona. Saul Rivera, Joel Hanrahan and Luis Ayala will be the guys likely sharing save opportunities the rest of the season unless one of them stands out. 23-year old switch hitting Emilio Bonifacio was the #6 prospect in the D-Backs system coming into this season according to Baseball America. He has played in 85 games in AAA ball this season and he is 111 for 367 (.302 avg, .735 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 1 homer, 29 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He has also played in 8 games for the D-Backs this season and he is 2 for 12 (.167 avg, .417 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 2 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Look for the Nationals to attempt to move Felipe Lopez and/or Ronnie Belliard before the trading deadline so that they can give Bonifacio a good look in August and September.

The Nationals have placed starting 1B Dmitri Young on the 15-day disabled list due to complications from diabetes. Young has played in 50 games for the Nationals this season and he is 42 for 150 (.280 avg, .794 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 4 homers and 10 RBIs. Young will likely be replaced by Paul LoDuca and Kory Casto until he’s ready to return to action. LoDuca has played in 37 games this season for the Nationals and he is 25 for 107 (.234 avg, .601 OPS) with 12 runs scored and 10 RBIs. The Nationals are looking to move LoDuca before the trade deadline and this is a way to showcase him with some playing time. Casto has played in 31 games for the Nationals this season and he is 15 for 74 (.203 avg, .609 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 9 RBIs.