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Washington Nationals News: How deep is the Nats’ starting rotation?

By Pablo Roa |
Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches against the New York Mets during game two at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches against the New York Mets during game two at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Today’s District Daily features stories on the Washington Nationals’ rotational depth and Stephen Drew‘s chances of being the Opening Day shortstop.

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, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post discusses the depth of the Nationals’ starting rotation. As Janes writes, the rotation is likely set with Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Joe Ross and Tanner Roark. But if one of them were to get injured or struggle badly, it’s not entirely clear who could step up to fill their spot.

Last year, Roark and Ross both served as viable backup options for the rotation. With Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister gone, however, those two are now key fixtures of the rotation and won’t serve as depth.

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But as Janes notes, the Nationals have plenty of starting pitching depth. Bronson Arroyo, whom the team recently signed to a minor league deal, is someone who could likely slide into the lineup whenever necessary. Blake Treinen and A.J. Cole — among others — could also be options.

Hopefully for the Nationals, the rotation will stay healthy and successful all season long. Realistically, however, that won’t be the case. Only time will tell if the Nationals have the depth necessary to survive a blow to their otherwise solid starting rotation.

Also in today’s Daily, Federal Baseball’s Dave Nichols discusses whether or not new Nationals infielder Stephen Drew can win the Opening Day shortstop job. As Nichols writes in his article, Drew, Danny Espinosa and Trea Turner will compete for the job come Spring Training.

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.

On rotational depth and where to find it

(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)

Jordan Zimmermann is a Detroit Tiger now, and Doug Fister is a Houston Astro. That leaves Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Tanner Roark and Joe Ross as the 2016 Nationals rotation, one with less room for injuries or underperformance than last year’s depth could endure. 

But now, to a question best asked on a dreary February day: What if? What if one of those five gets hurt? Someone nearly always does. What if Ross can’t replicate his initial success? What if Roark struggles? What if Gonzalez drops the reins around his command? Read full article here.

Could Stephen Drew start at shortstop for the Washington Nationals?

(Dave Nichols, Federal Baseball)

With Ian Desmond moving on (to greener pastures? We don’t know yet…), the Washington Nationals will have a new starter at shortstop on Opening Day for the first time since 2009.

There are three primary candidates: the rookie, the utility guy, and the free agent.

The rookie, of course, is Trea Turner, who came in at No. 11 on MLB Network’s Top 100 Prospects List.

Turner, 22, debuted last August, and would bring on-base skills and speed to burn to the top of the Nats’ batting order. Read full article here.

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