Washington Nationals News: Will Nats upgrade catching corps before Spring Training?

Today’s District Daily features stories on the Washington Nationals’ search for a catcher and the possibility of Bryce Harper going to the Yankees once he hits free agency.

Good evening 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, Federal Baseball’s Patrick Reddington discusses the Nationals’ reported search for a new catcher. As Reddington notes, the Nationals have been tied to multiple catching options this offseason, including Brewers veteran Jonathan Lucroy.

Of course, the Nationals already have a good catcher in Wilson Ramos and a solid backup option in Jose Lobaton. But Ramos is coming off a disappointing season in which he hit just .229. He was able to stay healthy all season long, but his health is still a concern for a team that lives or dies by the health of its players.

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At this point, it’s hard to see the Nationals making a major change at catcher this offseason. But crazier things have happened, and if the Nationals can get a player like Lucroy, it could bring a major boost to the lineup.

Also in today’s Daily, ESPN’s Eddie Matz and Andrew Marchand discuss whether Bryce Harper will stay with the Nationals once he hits free agency, or if he’ll go to the Yankees like some expect he might.

Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth the read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.

Washington Nationals Rumors: Will Nationals upgrade catching corps before Spring Training?

(Patrick Reddington, Federal Baseball)

Mike Rizzo was asked earlier this winter about potentially upgrading the Washington Nationals‘ catching corps after an uneven season from 28-year-old catcher Wilson Ramos which saw the oft-injured backstop struggle offensively while playing defense worthy of a Gold Glove nomination.

“He’s a good catcher,” Rizzo told Washington Post writer James Wagner in November:

"“He was No. 1 in throwing runners out. He was up for a Gold Glove. He was one of the top in [the] National League in home runs and RBI. He had a down year in getting on base, not like he should, and hitting for average. But as far as a guy, as catchers go, really had some impact in the lineup with power, RBI and catch-throw skills were fine. We like Ramos. He’s a guy that it would be difficult to find a better replacement for.”"

Read full article here.

Bryce Harper’s future: Washington Nationals vs. New York Yankees

(Eddie Matz and Andrew Marchand, ESPN)

ESPN.com Insider Jim Bowden argues that the Washington Nationals will have to be willing to make Bryce Harper the highest-paid player in baseball history if they want to keep him from the clutches of the New York Yankees.

Although certainly he could end up elsewhere, Nationals beat writer Eddie Matz and Yankees beat writer Andrew Marchand make the case, respectively, for why Harper will stay in D.C. and why he’ll wind up in the Bronx. Read full article here.

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