Washington Nationals: 5 story lines for Spring Training
By Ron Juckett
For the Washington Nationals, Spring Training is finally here! Here are five things to keep an eye on over the next six weeks.
Send a sweetie to your valentine and get the sunscreen ready. The 2018 Washington Nationals are back! Pitchers and catchers report on February 14 with the full squad and first Grapefruit League games shortly to follow.
After an offseason which moved at a glacial pace, the fun and excitement of baseball season is here again and not a moment too soon.
Like a cliffhanger from an old 1980’s nighttime soap opera, we left our intrepid Nats under difficult circumstances. Another distressing Game 5 loss in the National League Divisional Series, the team cleaned house with the coaches. Only Bob Henley, and his generous supply of zinc, is back.
The long-term future of Bryce Harper remains unsettled. Daniel Murphy continues recovering from micro-fracture surgery on his knee. Although Brandon Kintzler and Howie Kendrick returned, we said goodbye to Dusty Baker and Matt Albers. The welcome matt remains drying on the stoop if Jayson Werth wants to return.
Washington, along with most of Major League Baseball, did not make a major move this winter. The big changes came in the dugout with Dave Martinez winning his first managerial job leaving the friendly confines of Chicago and his good friend Joe Maddon.
Now, the focus shifts to the long road ahead. Over the next six weeks, you will be sick of trips to Jupiter and endless games with the St. Louis Cardinals, the moribund Miami Marlins and the Houston Astros. At least with Houston, Washington shares the facility and hopefully a World Series trophy come October.
As we count Matt Wieters’ plate appearances and launch angles, here are five storylines as the Nats prepare in West Palm Beach.