[TavesSoul]

Things just keep getting worse for this years edition of the Washington Nationals, as GM Greg Taves asserted that they might last month. The team and it's fans suffered through an absolutely brutal 7-19 month, as it's injuries in the infield continue to haunt the team. "Just terrible," said Taves. "I'd like to apologize to all our fans out there for this past month. We're reducing ticket prices as a reward for suffering through it with us." Rumours are abound that if things don't turn around this month, the only resort left for Taves might be firing Manager Manny Acta. The sole bright spot was how well Joel Hanrahan has been pitching this month.

July's Hot Players
SP Scott Olsen - 1-3, 4.18 ERA, 1.70 K/BB
CL Joel Hanrahan - 2-0, 0.00, 2 SVs
RF Justin Maxwell - .276, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 3 SB

July's Cold Players
SP Shairon Martis - 0-5, 11.28 ERA, 1.93 k/BB
MR Wilfredo Ledezma - 0-0, 7.94 ERA, 11.1 IP
SS Cristian Guzman - .217, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 0 SB

July's Injuries
With CF Elijah Dukes and 2B Ron Belliard absences already hurting the team, another blow was suffered when the key to the team fell to a herniated disk. That's right, 3B Ryan Zimmerman was felled on the third of the month, and it was declared that he'd miss 4 weeks of the season. Two weeks later the team got more bad news when it was announced that Zimmerman had suffered a set back, and would miss an additional 3-4 weeks. MR Livan Hernandez was also injured this month, and will miss 2 months with an elbow injury. Could things get worse for the Nationals?

July's Transactions
The team was suffering along when vetern 2B Willie Harris got sick of losing, and requested a trade on the 21st. The front office would have preferred to keep Harris, but they went ahead and started to test the waters. They received an offer from Atlanta of Harris straight up for CL Rafael Soriano, but countered with Harris and minor-league 1B Joel Guzman in return for Soriano and prospect 1B Freddie Freeman, which the Braves quickly accepted. Harris gives Atlanta some solid defensive depth for cheap, while Washington gets a solid closer to help improve their record, with an expiring salary, and a solid 1B prospect.

With two weeks to go to the trade deadline, Colorado was looking to move SP Brad Penny and his expiring contract. They saw Washington's need for a pitcher to solidify their rotation, and every day sent Washington a new offer to give them Penny for a couple of players. After a week Dan O'Dowd calling him everyday, Washington GM Taves finally heard an offer he could live with. In the deal, Washington gave up middling A prospect SP Jack McGeary. Washington's pitching has underperformed this year, and Penny helps to solidify it, while his expiring contract ensures more room next season. Colorado gets a young arm, and saves themselves some money.

July Prospect Report
At least Washington looks to have a bright future. Their prospects performed well this month, and the addition of 1B Freddie Freeman gives them another solid prospect to work with. Here again is the run down on Washington's top performing prospects at each level.

AAA
CL Mike Hinckley - 1-0, 1.64 ERA, 5 SVs
1B Brad Eldred - .279, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 1 SB

AA
SP Jordan Zimmermann - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.00 K/BB
1B Bill Rhinehart - .360, 9 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB

A
SP Colton Willems - 4-2, 1.59 ERA, 4.98 K/BB
C Derek Norris - .333, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 0 SB

Short A
MR Ryan Harrison - 1-2, 2.84 ERA, 25.1 IP
3B Steven Souza - .319, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 4 SB

R
MR Tom Haley - 1-0, 2.10 ERA, 25.2 IP
C Wilfri Pena - .467, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 3 SB