Washington Nationals: Doesn’t Anyone Want To Play Here?
By Ron Juckett
HOW TO BREAK THE SPELL
Either the Nats make the World Series or convince Bryce Harper they need him for the long-haul.
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If Harper wants to stay—and Washington comes close to matching what he wants on the open market—his extension opens the door down the road. We can quibble whether they can afford him. You can ask if he is worth all those millions. The bottom line is this if he commits to Washington long-term then it is a major win for the franchise.
The other path is the one the team is pushing now. Take the chance of trading future prospects to win now. If the Adam Eaton trade said anything, the Nats are rolling the dice to force the issue. Mike Rizzo’s job is on the line over how the next two years play out. He has papered over a wall of warts, but the team is in position to win.
Perhaps coming so close is the difference in keeping Harper. With a truckload of superstars hitting free agency after the 2018 season, a close call might attract another big name if Harper leaves. The hope is, he stays. Fans want it and, deep down, the team does too.
Washington is a wonderful city. When the Nats grab that flag, everything will change about the perception of the city as a baseball town and where the team is headed. Until then, they must continue pressing to find a big player
A generation ago, the NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White stunned the sports world by leaving the Philadelphia Eagles to sign with the Green Bay Packers. That bold move of faith restored the title to “Titletown.”
Today, the Nats need a Reggie White.