Washington Nationals: 6 who might be traded this winter

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Although the Washington Nationals would rather not trade anyone this off-season, there are holes needing filling. Here are six names you may hear in talks.

With the coaching staff in place, the next task for the Washington Nationals is assembling their 2018 roster.

Unlike last year when the team wanted a steady centerfielder and a closer, the needs this year are a fifth starter and a backup catcher. They go into the hot stove season as overwhelming favorites to win a third consecutive National League East crown with the roster they have now.

But, 12 Nats filed for free agency. Ryan Raburn came back on another minor league deal. Unless he makes the club, he will enjoy another fine summer in Syracuse on a team about to be owned by the New York Mets. Yep, the Mets will own the Nats Triple-A team next year unless other arrangements come about.

Some players may return, including Jayson Werth. Others will leave, and general manager Mike Rizzo will invite a couple dozen players to West Palm Beach for auditions this spring. Matt Albers latched on his way.

If Adam Lind and Brandon Kintzler leave via free agency, Washington will look for bench depth and possibly bullpen help to replace them. Although not glaring losses, they are potential holes needing care.

If potential free agents or non-roster invitees do not grab Rizzo’s fancy, Washington has players they can trade. No, not Juan Soto, Erick Fedde or Victor Robles. No hole is glaring enough for that price.

But, there is affordable value in several players that will draw interest from other teams. Of all years, this might be the one where a decent name gets dealt.

Here are six players not named Bryce Harper to watch.

BRIAN GOODWIN

Not good enough to start every day, and with top prospects gaining traction, it is hard to say Brian Goodwin has a steady future with the Nats.

A solid contributor off the bench, Goodwin provides an excellent depth option. After the slew of injuries in the outfield last year, he played in 74 games while slugging 13 home runs.

Worthy of a legitimate chance as a starter some place, the emergence of Michael Taylor and return of Adam Eaton block his progress in Washington. As part of a package, Goodwin can bring back a quality pitcher. On his own, there are other depth pieces or prospects out there.

Until the Nats are comfortable with Andrew Stevenson or Robles playing regularly in the majors, Goodwin will continue to provide a vital role off the bench. He can play all three outfield slots and can hit for power as a pinch-hitter. Remember, the probable loss of Lind is a huge loss.

But, teams will ask about Goodwin. Under team control until after the 2022 season, he could play every day elsewhere on the cheap.

At 26, Goodwin reaches the age where he is no longer a prospect, but is unproven as a starter. Although he provides excellent value for Washington, he can start elsewhere.

KODA GLOVER

A longshot name, you could see Koda Glover’s name come up in talks this winter.

Yes, his health is a concern. He pitched himself out of the closer’s role this spring. What is the matter with his labrum?

Glover owns a closer’s mentality. He has that balance of recklessness and ability to slam doors. His pitching arsenal was strong enough last spring he should have broken camp as the closer.

Like Goodwin, there is no open spot for Glover to fill in 2018. If healthy, he competes with Enny Romero and Sammy Solis for early setup innings. The eighth- and ninth-inning jobs, however, are filled by Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle. If Kintzler turns down a closer job in free agency and stays, it complicates things further.

Under team control until after 2022, there are roles Glover can grow into. But, if the top prospects are off the table, he has that mix of talent and potential at 24 to draw discussion.

Because he is still a prospect the Nats covet, any trade involving Glover is not likely. When negotiations get serious and Washington holds firm on names, see if he enters the fray.

TANNER ROARK

After not pitching for the Nats during their NL Divisional Series loss to the Chicago Cubs, it is hard to see where he fits into the bigger picture.

It is not Roark’s fault Dusty Baker used Stephen Strasburg in Game 4. The rainout bought an extra day of rest for Strasburg and the Nats trailed the best-of-five 2-1. But, Roark never pitched in Game 5. With more than ample rest, why he did not pitch multiple innings after Max Scherzer still causes lost sleep.

Considering Washington is in the market to land a starter, Roark is not about to be shopped around. But, there is a disconnect in the relationship between team and player somewhere. His is a name that you stop and think about after a deal and agree.

There must be a concern within the front office why he fell from a Game 2 playoff starter in 2016 to an unused fourth last year. Remember, Roark’s 2.83 ERA in 2016 beat Scherzer’s 2.96.

Trading Roark does not fit the conservative nature of Mike Rizzo. Given the lack of proven depth in the back of the rotation, some would be stunned by the move. A swap of unhappy starters, however, is not out of the question. It depends on how strained that relationship is.

MATT WIETERS

Again, catcher is a need for the Nats. Why would they trade Matt Wieters?

For a catcher hitting .225 last year there are $10.5 million reasons. Washington is on the hook for the full deal after Wieters wisely decided not to opt-out of his contract. If the right offer came along, and the partner will take a substantial part of the contract, you bet the Nats will listen.

As wonderful as Wieters handled the pitching staff last year, his endurance fell off a cliff after the All-Star break. He played in 123 games in 2017. His ideal workload behind the plate is around 90-110. They can ill afford another automatic out in the bottom of the lineup.

The key is his contract.

Washington refuses to eat money. (Insert your political joke of choice here.) If Wieters is on the payroll, he will play. On the off chance an American League team sees value with Wieters catching and playing a part-time designated hitter and offers substantial salary relief, then they might eat some cash to dump him.

The other variable is do the Nats think Pedro Severino and Raudy Read are major-league ready. Their brief September audition says no, but Wieters was so gassed by the end of the year that something must give.

This could be a case of addition by subtraction.

WILMER DIFO

With his versatility, Wilmer Difo offers the Nats quality in the infield, and a warm body in the outfield, mixed with speed and offense.

But, the super-utility role is ill-suited for Difo at the plate. Off the bench, he struggles.

If Daniel Murphy leaves once he hits free agency next year, Difo is the heir apparent at second base. Unless Murphy’s demands are outrageous, Washington will do what it can to keep him.

If so, that leaves Difo without a natural position to play. The left side of the infield is locked in and first base is not a likely destination. Outfield? Ha!

Of all Nats with over 300 plate appearances last year, only Wieters had an on-base percentage lower than Difo’s .319. The .690 OPS is nothing to write home about either.

Yet, his age and talent are benefits in Difo’s favor. At 25, he should be playing somewhere every day. His skills are better than riding the Triple-A buses of the International League. He can start tomorrow for a handful of major-league teams.

Which begs the question. As the Nats fill their holes, will Difo’s name become a serious chip? When you consider how versatile he is, moving him is a tough proposition.

MICHAEL TAYLOR

Along with Goodwin, Michael Taylor is the name the Nats will hear about most this winter. Coming off his breakout 2017, his trade value is at his zenith.

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Washington has needs. They also have a surplus of young outfield talent on the verge of breaking through at a top-level. Any trade is a gamble but, if they are committed to holding on to the blue-chip prospects, Taylor provides the best return on a deal.

Taylor’s growth through the year is remarkable. He has learned to be productive as a bottom-of-the-lineup hitter aggressive at the plate. Add his tremendous range and speed in center and he has earned a starting job in 2018.

Which is why he is on the top of other team’s trading list. Taylor has made the adjustment to a full-time starter.

Although we expect the Nats to fill their want list either through free agency or quiet trades, sometimes things happen. Robles and Stevenson are so close to making the permanent jump to the majors. The temptation is there.

Next: Scherzer's numbers HOF-quality

Ideally, Washington can land their needed starter, catcher and bench depth without a major shakeup. But, chances are slim someone on the major-league roster does not get moved. Taylor is the biggest name to watch.

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