October Bound: Breaking down the Nationals’ ideal postseason roster

Sep 16, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder

(17) bats against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Nationals defeated the Braves 3-0 to clinch the National League eastern division championship. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Hard Part: What to do with the other guys

Nate Schierholtz hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire as a pinch-hitter, but he’s the only viable left handed pinch-hitter the Nationals have on the roster. He can also play the outfield. Schierholtz is going to thank his lucky stars that the Nats are short on left-handed hitting bench players, because that is what is going to get him on this roster.  Schierholtz, like Espinosa, can also pinch-run.

Now we are down to selecting three more players. Let’s eliminate one that is under consideration — Scott Hairston.

With Zimmerman and Frandsen — both of whom are right-handed bats — already on the roster, this team doesn’t need another right-handed pinch-hitter riding the bench. Hairston doesn’t make my roster.

If Zimmerman goes down with another hamstring problem, Hairston can be added back on to the roster for the second round of the playoffs. Since Zimmerman is only going to be pinch-hitting or filling in against a tough lefty, if he goes down, Schierholtz can be the backup outfielder. Espinosa hits better right-handed than left-handed, and is also available to be a right handed pinch-hitter.