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What Are Our Staff’s Predictions For The 2016 Washington Nationals?

By Ricky Keeler

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Mar 13, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Ben Revere (9) runs after hitting a base hit in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Ben Revere (9) runs after hitting a base hit in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

The Washington Nationals were one of the biggest disappointments in baseball last season. The team then saw a big part of its core — Ian Desmond, Jordan Zimmermann, Denard Span and Drew Storen — leave via free agency.

So, it’s no surprise that many industry “experts” have written off the Nationals this year. While many expect them to compete, few expect the team to debunk the Mets as NL East champs and make a run at a World Series title come October.

But if the team manages to stay healthy this season, the results should be night and day from what we saw in 2015. And with the additions the Nationals made in the offseason, the team should have one of the deepest and most promising rosters and coaching staffs in all of baseball this season.

The biggest addition the team made in the offseason was undoubtedly Dusty Baker. After winning Manager of the Year in 2014, Matt Williams was deeply criticized in his second season at the helm in 2016. Baker’s player-friendly, open-door style should help the Nationals succeed in 2016, and I have no doubt that, on the management front, the Nationals are in a far better position this year than they were last year.

The Nationals also brought in productive bats with Daniel Murphy and Ben Revere that should help bolster the offense. The bullpen was also one of the team’s biggest weaknesses last season, and the team addressed the problem with a full ‘pen makeover — bringing in the likes of Shawn Kelley and Yusmeiro Petite. Furthermore, the Nationals upgraded the bench with Chris Heisey and Stephen Drew.

While we won’t know how good the Nationals really are until they play actual games, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic bout the team this season. If they stay healthy and players perform at their career norms, the team will win the NL East in 2016.

Prediction: 92-70 (1st in NL East)

Next up is staff writer Matt Weyrich, who makes his prediction and says Dusty Baker will win Manager of the Year:

Next: Matt W's Prediction

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