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Washington Nationals: Who Would Be In Their Presidential Cabinet?

By Ricky Keeler

iApr 8, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo on the field before the game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
iApr 8, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo on the field before the game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first base coach Davey Lopes (15) in the dugout against the Minnesota Twins during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Secretary of Transportation: Davey Lopes

For this conversation, the secretary of transportation is going to be who helps the Nats advance from base-to-base the quickest. For this honor, it goes to new first base coach Davey Lopes. Right out of spring training, the Washington Nationals put an emphasis on being aggressive on the bases.

In 2015, the Washington Nationals stole the second fewest bases in the National League (57). This past season, the Nats had 121 steals, which was fifth in the NL. Of course, that number is going to go up when you have Trea Turner on your roster.

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Once Turner came up to the big leagues, he was a stolen base machine. The rookie, who was named a Rookie Of the Year finalist last night, stole 33 bases in 39 attempts. That was 12 more than the second highest total on the Nats (Bryce Harper had 21).

While the Washington Nationals were able to hit over 200 home runs as a team (fourth in the NL with 203), their aggressiveness on the bases led to more run scoring opportunities rather than relying solely on the long ball.

Last offseason, Baker made two great coaching hires when he got Mike Maddux to be his pitching coach and Lopes to be his first base coach.

Next: Should Nats Be Worried About Strasburg?

With Turner expected to be on the roster for a full year next season, that stolen base total for the team in 2017 should be higher than it was this past season.

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