Washington Nationals News: Danny Espinosa has competition for shortstop job
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily discusses the Spring Training competition that will determine the Washington Nationals’ everyday shortstop in 2016.
Good morning DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discusses the upcoming competition that will determine who the Nationals’ everyday shortstop will be in 2016. As Ladson notes, incumbent Danny Espinosa is the favorite to lock up the position during Spring Training, but both Stephen Drew and Trea Turner will have a chance at the job as well.
Heading into the offseason, many expected Yunel Escobar to play second base and Espinosa to at least start the season at shortstop while Turner continued to develop in the minors. But when the Nationals traded Escobar and acquired Daniel Murphy and Drew, they suddenly had an abundance of middle infielders and three of them will compete to become the everyday shortstop during Spring Training.
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Espinosa had an offensive resurgence last year and is one of the best defensive middle infielders in the game, so there’s a good chance that he’ll secure the Opening Day job with relative ease. But Turner is undoubtedly the future at shortstop and Drew is a proven veteran. If Espinosa wants to start the season at shortstop, he’ll have to fight for it this spring.
Also in today’s Daily, James Wagner of the Washington Post discusses some interesting comments made by Dusty Baker regarding new Nationals acquisitions Ben Revere and Murphy.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Espinosa has competition for shortstop job
WASHINGTON — For the first time since 2009, the Nationals’ Opening Day shortstop will not be Ian Desmond, who is a free agent. So who will be Daniel Murphy‘s double-play partner at short?
Veteran Danny Espinosa appears to be the favorite, according to sources, because of his defensive skills, and Espinosa has said he wants the job. Espinosa, 28, is coming off a solid year at the plate and is adept defensively at both short and second base.
But it’s not a done deal at this point. General manager Mike Rizzo said last week that there will be competition during Spring Training among Espinosa, veteran Stephen Drew and rookie Trea Turner. Read full article here.
Dusty Baker on additions of Daniel Murphy, Ben Revere
(James Wagner, Washington Post)
About a month ago at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Dusty Baker was asked what areas of the Nationals roster he thought could be improved. “You’re always in need of left-handed pitching, left-handed hitting, and in need of speed,” he said. Since then, the Nationals have signed left-handed-hitting infielder Daniel Murphy, and veteran Stephen Drew, and traded for speedy outfielder Ben Revere.
“They’re welcome additions,” Baker said this week. “We’re just trying to get better and trying to get deeper. With the history of the Nationals and the history of injuries, we’ve got to keep out front-line guys healthy and we’ve just got to stay healthy. That’s our No. 1 priority. We’ve got more speed. We’ve got another left-handed hitter. Man, that’s sweet.” Read full article here.