Washington Nationals: Winter Meetings A Mixed Bag

An underwhelming Winter Meetings leaves fans unsure of where the Washington Nationals are. Can they break through and win a playoff series?

The Washington Nationals leave the 2016 MLB Winter Meetings a different team than they were a week ago.

With three top pitching prospects going to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Adam Eaton, the Nats signal they are ready to win now. As fans of Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning adjust to their loss, the Nationals hope they have the offense in place to advance past the National League Divisional Series.

It is that hurdle—stumbling three times in five seasons—that frustrates fans and the front office alike. What should be done to clear it is a matter of great discussion.

It is clear from comments in social media that a chunk of you are unhappy with the Eaton trade. With no established closer on the roster, and Aroldis Chapman and Mark Melancon signing elsewhere, that the business Washington wanted to finish this week has not.

After boasting about having the prospects to nab both Chris Sale and Andrew McCutchen in trades, Sale landed in Boston and McCutchen returns to Pittsburgh an angry player. Instead of crowning achievements a few minutes away from Nationals Park, fans wonder what went wrong.

At the core, this is largely the team that won the NL East by eight games and secured 95 wins in 2016. Yet, most of what fans and the Nats hoped would happen along the National Harbor did not.

As we head into the holidays where do the Nationals stand? Where did old friends go? What happens next year?

Let’s break it down and find out.

THE DEALS THAT DID NOT HAPPEN

When we went to bed on Monday night, it was understood the Nationals had a deal in place with the Chicago White Sox for ace pitcher Chris Sale. Sure, the price was high, outfielder Victor Robles, Lucas Giolito and one more big prospect, likely Reynaldo Lopez.

Shortly after lunch on Tuesday, the rug was swept away by the Boston Red Sox. The ChiSox hit the prospect lottery and Boston added yet another powerful arm to their potent pitching staff. Nats fans gritted teeth and soothed their angst knowing the Red Sox paid a price no team could match.

Earlier Monday, Mark Melancon went back to the West Coast. I his four-year deal with San Francisco, he received an opt-out, a signing bonus, deferred money and a full no-trade. We think Washington underbid the Giants by $10 million, but they never chased the pitcher in public.

Again, the faithful fans were not happy, but Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen were still available. By Wednesday morning, Chapman was off the board, taking a five-year, $84 million offer from the New York Yankees. Jansen is attending to his own wedding and not signed anywhere.

Once the Sale trade fell through, attention turned back towards McCutchen, but the Nats never were comfortable parting with Victor Robles and the trade—almost a certainty last Thursday—never happened.

With such high hopes, the swings and misses for Sale and McCutchen left a bitter taste in your mouth.

THE DEAL THAT HAPPENED

Chances are if you were not happy with the trades that did not happen, the Adam Eaton trade truly upset you.

Man, what a steep price for an excellent right fielder who is a mediocre defender in centerfielder. As Giolito penned a thank you note for fans, and Bryce Harper’s “Wow!” tweet stoked a bigger reaction, you were left to wonder what had changed with the front office.

Yes, Eaton has five years of team control for a measly $38 million, but Giolito was the best prospect in the organization. Lopez the second-best pitcher on the list. Dunning was a first-round pick. Should the Nats mortgage the future on Eaton?

Many feel the move is desperate, born from the frustration of losing out on such key deals before. Mike Rizzo promised once the new collective bargaining agreement was in place that Washington would seize the day. Instead, fans vented they felt squeezed.

From a public relations perspective, a giant opportunity lost followed by a “Hail Mary.”  Even if 2017 is the magic season, perhaps the front office will not boast over how aggressive they plan on being. Humility is a good thing.

ROOTING FOR OLD FRIENDS

Aside from Melancon’s departure to San Francisco, two other 2016 Nationals signed elsewhere and another old Nat took a big pay day.

Marc Rzepczynski—or Scrabble—departs for the Seattle Mariners on a two-year deal worth $11 million. Although the lefty pitched 14 games during his short tenure, he played a role in the bullpen during the NLDS. In three games, he tossed two innings while striking out three.

Ian Desmond returns to the infield thanks to a five-year contract valued at $70 million with the Colorado Rockies. After a season with the Texas Rangers where he played centerfield, he moves to first base and hopes to take full advantage of the thin air of Coors Field.

When Wilson Ramos re-tore his right ACL, whatever chances of the popular catcher had remaining with the Nats left. Uncertain of a return date—ranging anywhere from next May to July—and unable to catch every day, Ramos signed an incentive-laden two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Moving to the American League allows Ramos to designated hit while he gets into a comfort zone. If healthy, last year’s All-Star can provide offense and veteran leadership to a young team.

THE NATIONALS RIGHT NOW

The Adam Eaton trade did two immediate good things to the offense and defense.

In the last three seasons, Eaton’s on-base percentages ranges from .360 to .362. He hits for triples and steals bases. With him on the team, the Nats can finally move Trea Turner to short and dump Danny Espinosa’s endless strikeouts and poor hitting out of the lineup.

As a right fielder, Eaton is a Gold Glover. Yes, you lose Espinosa’s ability at short, but Turner is a natural shortstop who can hold his own there. A net positive for both.

Washington is content to let newly acquired Derek Norris battle Pedro Severino for the Opening Day catching position. The money is still there to sign a Matt Wieters—if they cannot land Jensen—but Norris provides a low-risk and cheap alternative for next year.

The biggest hole left is at closer. They never chased Melancon in public. Washington had interest in Chapman and still does with Jansen. Dusty Baker told the press there were no real in-house options to close games. They must get somebody through free agency or trade to fill the role.

Even the optimist would tell you this be a work in progress, but better offensively.