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Washington Nationals: Five Burning Questions For Spring Training

By Ron Juckett

Feb 16, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Washington Nationals teammates warm up during spring training workouts at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Washington Nationals teammates warm up during spring training workouts at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB: Spring Training-Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals
MLB: Spring Training-Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals /

1) WHO CLOSES? OR SETS UP?

It is rare for championship-caliber teams to have such a glaring question heading into Spring Training.

Although Washington tried to secure one of the big-name closers this winter, all the targets are elsewhere. For the Nats, Mark Melancon and Kenley Jansen landed on other NL playoff clubs.

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So, the options now are in-house. Not only is there an audition for a closer, but the setup man. As if this was a high school play, there are five guys trying out for the two leads.

By the time we play for real, we will know the roles of Shawn Kelley, Blake Treinen, Joe Nathan, Sammy Solis and Koda Glover.

Nathan is a non-roster invitee, an insurance policy ad grizzled veteran at 42. Glover is the closer of the future, needing more time to polish his game. Solis is a hard-throwing lefty who impressed during last year’s NLDS loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Treinen has an impressive sinker who battles control. Kelley has the goods to close, but has undergone two Tommy John surgeries in his career.

Those are the contestants. Who emerges as the winner?

We know from Baker’s comments already this is not a closer-by-committee situation. Someone will earn the job until they lose his confidence. Whew.

But, how does this get sorted out? Early on, watch who Baker uses in the fourth inning. In the Grapefruit League that is the closer’s spot. We might see all five get a shot, but Kelley and Treinen will get the bulk of the role.

Keep an eye on how Glover and Solis are used. Solis will be on the final roster, but Glover can grab an important role with a strong effort. If not, he has options and the lovely city of Syracuse will keep him fresh until duty calls.

There is a place for Nathan if he shows decent velocity and can get hitters out. He has an opt-out date in late March if Syracuse is not his cup of tea, but as an experienced closer, he truly can give Baker peace of mind by staying in the organization.

Next: Where Does The Pen Fit In With Other NL East Teams?

Conventional wisdom says Kelley, but game action changes everything.

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