Washington Nationals: The State Of The Franchise
By Ron Juckett
STATE OF THE OFFENSE
Although the perceived price for Adam Eaton is high, the difference with him in the lineup matched with a full season of Trea Turner tops the loss of Ramos to the Tampa Bay Rays and Espinosa west. At worst, the strikeout rate will drop.
With Eaton, you get a triples machine. He led the American League with three-baggers two of the last three seasons. Paired with Turner, they are a constant threat to steal bases.
Bryce Harper enters 2017 with a boulder on his shoulder. His slump last year picked apart by the press and the fans. With the added burden of playing to his potential, we should see a batter closer to his 2015 MVP status backed in the lineup by Daniel Murphy and Anthony Rendon.
Run scoring is not a problem this team faces. Even with the loss of Ramos’ and Espinosa’s power, Harper, Turner and Eaton can equal it. You do not send highly touted pitching prospects away without some risk. Over the next 162 games, the potential reward outweighs the dangers.
Last season, Washington produced more runs than any other team in franchise history over a full season. This includes every season the team played in Montreal except 1981 and 1994, the strike years.
The state of the offense is strong, bordering on historic.