Washington Nationals: 5 goals for the 2018 season

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What can the Washington Nationals pull off this year? Here are five realistic goals they can do to win now and into the future.

With Florida in the rear-view mirror, the Washington Nationals plow ahead into the regular season with lofty goals.

Although winning the World Series is the ultimate one, there are several the Nats want to accomplish during the season. As host of the All-Star Game, having Bryce Harper win the Home Run Derby while Max Scherzer earn MVP is solid. Juan Soto or Victor Robles dominate the Prospects game is potentially priceless.

Toss in winning the National League East by 30 and sweep the playoffs and you will find yourself deep in the fiction department of your local bookstore. All sweet dreams to think of but as realistic as a million-dollar check coming in the mail tax-free.

Washington has the resources and experience to pull off anything they set their collective minds too. Sometimes dumb luck gets in the way. But, after years of harsh lessons, this is the best chance in Nats franchise history to put the full plan in motion.

They are better off by extending President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo’s contract first. That is not a goal but an essential item. He is the man behind the team’s success and must remain in place as Washington moves on into the 2020s.

With that out of the way, here are five goals the Nats can take care of in 2018. Some are obvious while others are key to success beyond this year. If Washington can check these off, then this will go down as a successful season on the Anacostia.

EARN NL BEST RECORD

Before the Nats can march in the playoffs, they have to get there. The best way to give themselves breathing room in the NL Divisional Series is to grab the top record in the league.

No one wants another five-game epic struggle against the Los Angeles Dodgers or Chicago Cubs. The goal instead is facing a Wild Card team on short rest after they burned their best pitchers to advance to the NLDS.

Yes, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies are better, the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins are not. Outside the NL East, there are plenty of chances to take two of three from the NL bottom feeders. With interleague focused on the American League East, there are no gimmies.

Instead, Washington must focus on beating the Pittsburgh’s and Cincinnati’s. The west coast trips are early this season, take advantage.

A huge problem last year, when the division was in hand, was focusing on individual milestones rather that team accomplishments by the old coaching staff. This year, set a win goal of 100 and check it off the list. That is a realistic number.

Remember, best record gets a potential Game 1 AND Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. If they win 100, there is a strong chance Nationals Park gets the honor of hosting a World Series opener.

With the Nats luck, they will draw LA or Chicago as the winning Wild Card. Or, they get the Mets. Remember, teeth gnashing is not covered by dental insurance.

WIN A PLAYOFF ROUND

Although we want victory parades on Pennsylvania Avenue, getting the playoff monkey off Washington’s proverbial back is a realistic goal. Over a best-of-seven series against the Dodgers or Cubs, the Nats stand a better chance of grinding out a win and winning their first ever pennant.

But, playoff success involves luck and minimizing mistakes. They also favor teams who are playing better at the moment and not a full season. Unless the Nats steamroll to a 116-win season, no one in the front office will be too upset if they lose in the NLCS.

However, sometimes when you get over the hump, momentum carries over and the ultimate goal is reached. Think 2004 Boston Red Sox and 2016 Cubs. After major adversity, success was not denied.

With fans focused on a World Series, even they can settle deep into Redskins season content getting past the opening round. Some will get angry, but most will take any playoff success.

If healthy, Washington has the depth and talent to win it all. But, injuries were a huge factor the last two Octobers. A healthy Adam Eaton gets them through last year. Stephen Strasburg’s missed start in 2016 might have finished the Dodgers.

Everyone understands the stakes.

RE-SIGN BRYCE HARPER

A Harper extension makes too much sense.

Although the words of doom and gloom we hear around the country are not true if Harper leaves, improving on the Nats progress is easier with him in Washington. They enter 2019 as immediate favorites for a potential fourth consecutive divisional title.

Harper and Rizzo carry a good relationship. Boras has the Nats on speed dial. The ingredients are there to make something happen.

Yes, keeping him in DC is a good thing for the club. But, for the fans and the baseball industry, what a major score for Washington to keep him. As hardened folks cross off the days on their calendars expecting Harper to leave, imagine their shock if he stays.

Harper’s decision is tough. No matter where he goes, the expectations are huge. However, if he stays, what this says about Washington’s status as a baseball city is staggering. The man who wears No. 34 to honor his idol Mickey Mantle stays.

What this could mean from a public relations and recruiting standpoint is huge. The thought of the most sought after potential free agent in history staying is a game changer.

It could happen. Really.

BUY OUT TREA TURNER’S ARBITRATION YEARS

As Washington builds for tomorrow, they can avoid any future headaches by giving Trea Turner an extension now that carries him through he hits free agency. No muss and no fuss.

Turner has the potential of stealing his way to Cooperstown. In this new era of rewarding younger players with better contracts, what better way for the Nats to show their commitment than keeping his focus on the field and not the wallet?

Arbitration is not an issue for Turner until after 2019. He is not eligible for free agency until the 2022 off-season. Why bother now?

Again, as with Harper, getting a long-term extension with Turner out of the way builds goodwill between him and the Nats and the fans. There is a genuine sense if Harper leaves that fortunes will head south for Washington. A strong deal with Turner changes that perception.

With Anthony Rendon a year away from his free agency, and Victor Robles too raw for a huge contract, giving Turner a four- or five-year contract fits in with their plans. The money is reasonable, something averaging $8-10 million per season works, while the rewards are smart.

STAY SPEEDY

The Nats spent most of the Grapefruit League stretching how aggressive they could go on the bases. From stretching singles into doubles to constantly trying to swipe bases, Washington did their best to create runs. That philosophy should continue throughout the year.

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Although we saw the risk of running themselves out of innings in West Palm Beach, the rewards for creating offense through speed outweighs the risks. You can force pitchers, especially tired or ones lacking confidence, to make mistakes by forcing them to think.

Every time Turner or Eaton draw a throw from the mound, the chances increase of a bad pitch to the plate. Harper, Murphy, Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman can crush mistakes for extra bases. The faster Washington can chase a starter, the better off they are.

Only Zimmerman and the catchers are slow-footed. Although Murphy and Rendon are not huge threats to steal, they will take an extra bag when needed.

As Scherzer and Strasburg dictate the game tempo through their pitching, the offense can dictate play by causing havoc on the bases. This season is about crushing opponents. Not in the literal sense of fighting, but by making the rest of the NL mentally drained after a game.

Next: Predicting Nats rotation success

Sometimes, the power game can run over teams. By creating runs and playing small ball, Washington can achieve their on-field goals for 2018. It will not always work but when it does it is devastating.

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