The Washington Nationals are on the outside of the playoff picture in the National League, which has led to speculation that they could become sellers as the trade deadline approaches.

Mike Rizzo is still betting on a rebound over the final few months of the season, but Washington's general manager didn't completely shut down the possibility of dealing impending free agent Bryce Harper.

"That's a question that's tough to answer," Rizzo said when asked whether trading Harper before the deadline was "100 percent off the table."

"It would have to be a spectacular set of circumstances for us to do that. We're going to do what we have to do to better this team for 2018 and beyond. That's one of the superstars in the game and he's a guy that is near and dear to my heart personally, and in Washington D.C., and is one of the great players in the game."

Rizzo dismissed the notion that trading Harper, or any other pending free agents, would hurt Washington's chances of signing him in the offseason.