10 biggest trades in Nationals history

WASHINGTON -- The trade market has been one of the most effective tools used by Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo to build such a successful team. It was a method to help build the roster to contend and ultimately win a championship, and -- most recently -- a way to reshape personnel for a new chapter. MLB.com looks at the 10 trades with the biggest impact in Nationals history:

1. Megatrade at the Deadline
Nats got: C Keibert Ruiz, RHP Josiah Gray, RHP Gerardo Carrillo, OF Donovan Casey
Dodgers got: RHP Max Scherzer, SS Trea Turner
Date: July 30, 2021

The headliner of a Trade Deadline roster overhaul, this blockbuster deal marked the beginning of the Nationals’ new direction. The Nats traded two centerpiece All-Stars for top prospects to build around in the future. The decision to move Scherzer was not unexpected, given that he was in the final year of his contract, and the Nationals -- who were struggling in the standings at the time -- could receive high value for him to help beyond the 2021 season. The inclusion of Turner was more head-turning because of the remaining years on his deal. The Nats’ acquisitions from the Dodgers were highlighted by the promising, young battery of Ruiz and Gray.

2. Coming in for the steal
Nats got: SS Trea Turner, RHP Joe Ross
Padres got: 1B/OF Wil Myers
Rays got: OF Steven Souza Jr.
Date: Dec. 19, 2014

There were several other Minor Leaguers involved, but these were the main pieces. The Nats, the third team added to the trade, received a future All-Star in Turner, as well as a starting pitcher in Ross. Both went on to play key roles in the Nationals’ World Series championship in 2019. Just as acquiring Turner in ‘14 was integral to Washington’s success, the team included Turner as part of a megadeal to acquire prospects for their future seven years later.

3. The Gio González trade
Nats got: LHP Gio Gonzalez, RHP Robert Gilliam
A's got: RHPs Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole, C Derek Norris, LHP Tommy Milone
Date: Dec. 23, 2011

For about a year, the Nationals searched for another established starting pitcher and they ended up acquiring a lefty who would become one of the foundations of their rotation. Gonzalez lasted seven seasons in D.C., as he collected the fourth-most wins (86) in team history and started the Nats' first postseason game ever in 2012. He left with the fifth-most Wins Above Replacement (21.3) of any player in Nationals history.

4. Surprise aggression
Nats got: OF Adam Eaton
White Sox got: RHP Lucas Giolito, Dane Dunning and Reynaldo López
Date: Dec. 8, 2016

This will go down as Washington's most aggressive move, as it moved three top pitching prospects to get Eaton -- a gamble for a player who, while highly regarded, had never made an All-Star team. But the Nats had high hopes for Eaton and liked his favorable contract. He became their starting right fielder and a spark plug on their World Series run in 2019, appearing in 310 games in four seasons before departing in free agency.

5. Badly needed relief
Nats got: LHP Sean Doolittle, RHP Ryan Madson
A's got: RHP Blake Treinen, LHP Jesús Luzardo, INF Sheldon Neuse
Date: July 16, 2017

The 2017 Nationals were a legitimate World Series contender in the first half, with a bullpen that threatened to torpedo those chances if they did not fix it. Doolittle and Madson were instant successes as lockdown relievers late in games. Doolittle became an All-Star in 2018 and was a key member of the World Series championship bullpen in ’19.

6. Diamond in the rough
Nats got: RHPs Tanner Roark and Ryan Tatusko
Rangers got: INF Cristian Guzman
Date: July 30, 2010

This is perhaps one of the biggest steals of Rizzo's career, as he added a late bloomer in Roark -- who was a major part of the Nats for six seasons -- in exchange for the final 15 games of Guzman's career. A 93-loss Washington team was looking to shed Guzman's contract at the Trade Deadline and ended up acquiring a fixture for its starting rotation.

7. Closing in on a closer
Nats got: RHP Daniel Hudson
Blue Jays got: RHP Kyle Johnston
Date: July 31, 2019

In 2019, Hudson went from being released by the Angels in March to being signed days later by the Blue Jays to being traded from there to the Nationals in July to recording the final out of the World Series in October. With the Nats, the veteran leader was 10-3 with a 2.99 ERA and 16 saves across 76 relief appearances before being dealt to the Padres at the ’21 Trade Deadline.

8. The Buffalo
Nats got: C Wilson Ramos, LHP Joe Testa
Twins got: RHP Matt Capps
Date: July 29, 2010

Another Trade Deadline deal that worked out in Washington's favor, as it turned a few months of a rental closer in Capps into the club's starting backstop for parts of seven seasons. Ramos put together some of the best offensive seasons by a catcher in team history and was beloved by Nats fans as "The Buffalo."

9. Finally, a center fielder
Nats got: OF Denard Span
Twins got: RHP Alex Meyer
Date: Nov. 29, 2012

Washington had long been in need of a center fielder and leadoff hitter -- and it found both in Span, who spent three seasons with the Nationals. Even though he battled through some injuries, Span became a table setter and a strong defensive center fielder during the 2013 and '14 seasons.

10. The Papelbon trade
Nats got: RHP Jonathan Papelbon
Phillies got: RHP Nick Pivetta
Date: July 28, 2015

While this is a trade many fans wish the Nats could have back, it is certainly one of the biggest and most impactful in club history. Looking to boost the bullpen, Rizzo acquired Papelbon to replace Drew Storen as closer down the stretch in 2015, which infamously ended in the dugout implosion where Papelbon put his hands around the neck of soon-to-be National League MVP Bryce Harper.

MLB.com Nationals beat reporter Jessica Camerato contributed to this story.