Nationals center in | Brian McNally | Cheers & Jeers | Washington Examiner

There is no doubt what the Nationals need as baseball's trade deadline approaches July 31. Washington must find both a leadoff batter and a center fielder. The average on-base percentage of Danny Espinosa, Jayson Werth, Roger Bernadina, Rick Ankiel, Jerry Hairston and Ian Desmond when hitting first is .266. Their slugging percentage is .302. Their OPS is .568, which if it belonged to a single batter would make him one of the sport's worst offensive players. Can the Nats accomplish two things with one trade? Here are some possible options:

Denard Span, Twins » The 27-year-old is an above-average center fielder with plenty of experience. He showed great promise at the plate in 2008 and 2009 before slipping last season. His on-base percentage (.361) has rebounded in 2011, but he has been out of the lineup since early June with a concussion. He has the best plate discipline of the reported targets and is primarily a leadoff hitter.

Colby Rasmus, Cardinals » A reported feud with manager Tony La Russa marred what otherwise was a fine season in 2010. Teams don't often look to deal a promising, soon-to-be 25-year-old, but Rasmus has regressed at the plate (.743 OPS). He's an average defensive player according to the advanced metrics, but he would fit nicely with young pieces like Espinosa, Ryan Zimmerman, Wilson Ramos and eventually Bryce Harper. He often has batted second in 2011.

B.J. Upton, Rays » He is a fine center fielder and would help Washington's pitching staff. He's just 26 and like Zimmerman is a semi-local product from the Virginia Beach area. But his on-base percentage is no better than Bernadina's the last three seasons, and he can't even match the Nats center fielder in stolen-base percentage (84 percent to 76 percent). He's not a leadoff hitter.

Michael Bourn, Astros » The 28-year-old is the best defensive player of the bunch but possesses almost no power. He has poor plate discipline similar to Upton and Rasmus (2.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio). But Bourn is one of the sport's best at swiping bases (83 percent) with as many steals this year (37) as Bernadina has in his entire career. He has only been caught six times in 2011. In other words, he's a true leadoff batter.

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