District On Deck
FanSided

Washington Nationals: 5 Free Agents To Watch In The World Series

By Ricky Keeler

Oct 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Indians run in the outfield during work out day prior to the start of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Indians run in the outfield during work out day prior to the start of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Washington Nationals
Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Mike Napoli (26) hits a RBI double during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

 Indians 1B/DH Mike Napoli

Napoli had a career season this year for the Indians at age 34. He had a slash line of .239/.335/.465 with 34 home runs and 101 RBI’s (both career-highs). While Napoli was the designated hitter for 51 games this season, he did play in 98 games at first base, a position that the Washington Nationals need offensive production from.

Since 2014, Napoli has played for three different teams (Red Sox, Rangers, Indians). Cleveland signed him this winter to a one-year deal worth $7 million and that move has paid off for them big time.

Plus, if you bring in Napoli, it’s almost a guarantee that your team makes the postseason. Out of the ten years that Napoli has played in the big leagues, he has played in the postseason eight times. He has 29 RBI’s in 59 postseason games with 15 of them coming in 2011 when he was with Texas.

With the lack of premiere hitting free agents, you would think Napoli is going to get a multi-year deal from someone. With Ryan Zimmerman under contract until 2019, the Washington Nationals aren’t going to spend big amount of money at a first baseman.

They are more likely to either keep Clint Robinson as the backup or find another free agent that can platoon with Zimmerman at first base for less money. Napoli also struck out 198 times this season, so he wouldn’t exactly be an ideal fit for a lineup that is looking to find more contact hitting.

Home/Nationals News