Now that the Nationals are all-but out of the postseason picture, they've rightly turned September into a month of auditions -- taking a look at players pining for a permanent call-up, who can help Washington try to turn the corner next season.
Yet there are some players who have stubbornly stuck around, much to the chagrin of many fans, for a large portion of the season. Players who plug holes and fill gaps can be helpful, but when their batting averages are low and fielding is average at best, frustration can build -- fans would rather see players who could bring upside and turn heads, not another pinch hitter batting in the low .200s.
In the rotating door of players that the Washington Nationals have been since the trade deadline, there's been a pinch of good, and quite a handful of the bad. Now, with the season winding down, we can point to some guys that, if Washington wants to be competitive next year, they should not bring back.
INF José Tena
One of only two Nationals with a negative offense war (Abimelec Ortiz), Jose Tena has made 55 appearances at designated hitter for the Nationals this season. For a position that requires a power bat and a high on-base percentage (OBP), Tena provides neither. He's only hit 7 home runs in 277 plate appearances this year -- that's only 2.5% of at-bats being a home run. Tena carries an OBP of .307, certainly below league average.
On the other hand, MLB's best designated hitters, the likes of Kyle Schwarber, Shohei Ohtani, and Yordan Alvarez, among others carry on-base percentages of near .350 or higher, with Alvarez, for example, near .400.
I'm not saying that Tena was, or should be expected to be producing at that level -- he, nor the Nationals as a team, aren't there yet. But, a designated hitter needs to be able to hit -- for power, with good average, and get on base. Tena really doesn't do any of those.
The Nationals, if they want to compete next season, can do far better at the DH position.
RHP Yovanny Cruz
Yovanny Cruz, when acquired from the Yankees in the Luis Garcia Jr. trade, brought some excitement to the bullpen for the first time in... a while. The 27-year-old Domincan righty brought stuff to the Nationals bullpen -- literally. With great movement on his slider, sinker, and split finger pitches, plus 99% percentile fastball velocity, the talent is there.
In four games with the Yankees after his MLB debut, Cruz carried a 1.69 ERA through five innings. But, since Washington acquired him, his ERA has ballooned to 9.00, in only 7 appearances. He's averaging 10 walks, 16 hits, and just shy of 2 home runs per nine.
The talent is still there for Cruz, even at 27 -- I do not think the Nationals should cut ties with him completely. However, I do not think he should see consistent major league time next season until he proves he can keep runners off base, and maintains a serviceable ERA.
With a lockout looming, Nationals fans should embrace the struggle of watching September baseball, as they'll once again miss the postseason. There's players to root for -- Will Dion looks good, James Wood is back, and other youngsters are getting hot -- but it's clear there's some who shouldn't be around next year.
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