Washington Nationals Need To Keep It Simple At The Winter Meetings

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Jun 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (R) talks to general manager Mike Rizzo before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Heading into the Winter Meetings in Maryland, the Washington Nationals might be best to just keep their moves simple

With the MLB Winter Meetings just days away, the Washington Nationals are likely going to be one of the more active teams throughout the week. They’re in need of several upgrades and replacements; however, they recently addressed one of their most glaring holes with the acquisition of Padres catcher Derek Norris on Friday.

Norris will fill the void at catcher, likely signaling the official end of the Wilson Ramos era in Washington. While Norris was a key addition, he likely won’t be the last, but it’s important that Washington doesn’t outthink itself in the process.

With Norris aboard, the Nationals will likely look to add an outfielder and a closer; however, they’ve recently been linked to Rays starter Chris Archer and most notably White Sox southpaw Chris Sale. Both Archer and Sale are among the best arms in all of baseball, and could help aid any rotation, but could Washington be an exception?

The Winter Meetings in Maryland are going to either make or break the Washington Nationals; however, despite the bevy of deals that are likely to take place, the Nationals would be wise to upgrade via free agency, rather than the trade market.

Here is my gameplan on how the Nats should keep it simple at the Winter Meetings:

Aug 31, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) walks off the field after the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

A Chris Sale Deal Is Unnecessary

While Archer and Sale both are prolific names, the Nationals shouldn’t be prioritizing a starting pitcher; they already have a top tier rotation. With Max Scherzer, Tanner Roark, Stephen Strasburg, and young arms such as Joe Ross, Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito at their disposal, the Nationals shouldn’t be looking to upgrade their rotation.

Sale is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. While he would give Washington maybe the best rotation in baseball, he shouldn’t be the center of attention, same goes for Archer. If the Nationals prioritize getting a top tier pitcher, they’ll be trying to strengthen a strength, and while Chris Sale could do wonders for their rotation, he could potentially be a recipe for disaster.

For example, nearly two years ago, the Nationals signed Scherzer to a 7 year, $210 million deal, which was deferred over 14 years. While the reigning NL Cy Young award winner did give them the best rotation in baseball on paper, the Nats ultimately missed the playoffs.

Despite Scherzer having arguably the best statistical year of his career, the Nats weren’t wise to prioritize inking him over adding a top notch infielder. Mike Rizzo and the Washington Nationals decided to strengthen a strength, but it didn’t work in their favor. They should use this as a model to not pursue a top of the rotation pitcher such as Sale or Archer.

Instead of pursuing a trade for a top of the rotation arm such as Sale or Archer, the Nats should set their sights on locking down a center fielder as well as a closer, but Andrew McCutchen shouldn’t be viewed as a solution.

Sep 17, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen hits a two-run single against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

McCutchen Isn’t The Best Option

The Washington Nationals have recently been discussing a deal for Pirates All Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen; however, while McCutchen could do wonders for their lineup, he’s not worth the hefty price tag the Pirates have put on him; the Pirates are asking for top outfield prospect Victor Robles and one of three young arms: Joe Ross, Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito. Is he worth all that? Coming off a bad year, and hitting the age of 30, he simply is not.

Throughout most of his career, McCutchen has been an elite outfielder and one of the best players in all of baseball. He hit over .290 from 2012 to 2015, and won the 2013 NL MVP; however, 2016 was a struggle for him.

Last year, he hit a career low .256 and drove in 79 runs, which is the fewest amount of runs he’s driven in since 2010; however, those numbers aren’t terrible, and it’s likely that he will bounce back next year, but that doesn’t mean the Washington Nationals should deal away two prized young players, and gamble on McCutchen.

McCutchen is an All-Star and an MVP player, but he had a year in which he showed some signs of regression, and considering the fact that he will not be had for cheap, the Nationals should resist the urge to make a deal for him. Instead, they should look to upgrade their outfield via the free agent market, rather than the trade market.

In particular, two guys stand out as potential targets.

Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Cleveland Indians in the first inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Free Agency Is The Way To Upgrade The Outfield

While it’s classified as a weak free agent class, the outfield market offers the Nationals same intriguing options. One option is the Cubs’ Dexter Fowler. The switch hitting Fowler hit .276 last year, and proved to be a power bat late in the postseason. Fowler would be a great get for the Nationals. He could hit leadoff, or platoon with Trea Turner in the leadoff or number two spot in the order.

Fowler and Turner would be a formidable duo at the top of the order for the Nationals. He is reportedly seeking a deal worth around 18 million a year. While the price may seem high, signing Fowler would be safe and better move than trading for McCutchen. Why?

If the Nationals traded for McCutchen, they’d have to deal away at least two of their top prospects, but signing Fowler allows Washington to keep their young prospects, while getting a guy in Fowler who will provide the same spark as McCutchen; however, if they decide that they want to sign someone who they’re more familiar with, they could pursue Ian Desmond.

The former Nats shortstop had a bounce back year with the Rangers. Hitting .285 and driving in 88 runs, Desmond was an asset for Texas last year, but he was also valuable in that he was versatile.

Throughout his entire career, Desmond was a shortstop for the Nationals, but when the Rangers signed him he became an outfielder, playing both left and center field. It was a surprise at first, but then Desmond really came into his own as the year went on, and he became a very good outfielder both offensively and defensively.

Will he return to Texas? That remains unclear at the moment, but regardless, Desmond may be a great fit back in the Nation’s Capital, where it all began for him.

If he retuned to D.C, Desmond would be their starting center fielder, but he could also be very valuable in that he can play shortstop as well. While the Washington Nationals have aspirations of moving Trea Turner back to his natural position at short, there is always the scenario that he doesn’t play well there. If that were to happen, Turner could go back to center field, where he played the majority of last year, and Desmond could move back to shortstop.

While upgrading the outfield is a necessity this offseason, inking a closer is just as crucial.

Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Mark Melancon (43) pitches during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The Answer At Closer Is Simple

In regards to their bullpen, All-Star closer Mark Melancon was great for the Nationals last year. Recording a 1.82 ERA, and blowing only one save with them, Melancon has everything the Washington Nationals need in a closer going forward. He can blow his fastball by opposing hitters, and he has the ability to work his way out of situations with runners on base, as well as pitch in the big game.

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When you look at the free agent closer market, it features, most notably, Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman and Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen. They are both, without a doubt, the two best closers in all of baseball, but they’re commanding deals in excess of $85 million in total; that type of investment would be unnecessary for the Nationals.

Last night, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and MLB Network tweeted that the Washington Nationals are one of the teams that have offered Melancon a four-year, $60+ million deal:

Sources: Melancon has multiple 4-yr, $60M+ offers: #SFGiants, #Nationals, perhaps one other. SF thought to be strongest, as @jcrasnick said.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2016

Next: Espinosa's Impact On Roster Moves

If the Washington Nationals can re-sign Melancon, he would provide nearly the same presence that both Chapman and Jansen provide. While not at the same stature as the two, Melancon is an elite closer himself, and is the guy the Washington Nationals should want to lock up long term. The question is will he choose the Nats or sign with another team?

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