Washington Nationals: Five biggest storylines for the 2018/19 offseason
By Blake Finney
Big Contract Decisions
We’ve already covered the biggest contract decision of the Washington Nationals offseason with Bryce Harper. But there are several other decisions that need to be covered off this winter too.
Thankfully, there’s one formality that does at least come under this section, and that’s exercising Sean Doolittle‘s 2019 and 2020 team option. He would be due $6 million and $6.5 million in each year respectively, a no-brainer for one of the best closers in baseball.
After that though, there could be some contenders for extensions that may help give the team more security. Anthony Rendon will be a name to watch, especially if Harper departs, as he then becomes a high priority to lock down for the future.
But also, Ryan Zimmerman may become an extension candidate. It could make sense on both sides, to give the franchise icon some long-term security, while the Nats could reduce their annual average value.
Then, there are a whole host of players whose situations need to be reviewed and could end up leaving. The Nats players eligible for arbitration are Rendon, Michael Taylor, Tanner Roark, Joe Ross, Sammy Solis, and Justin Miller.
Rendon is about as safe as they come, as does Joe Ross, but the other four do at least have question marks. Taylor and Roark both disappointed this year, but non-tendering seems a long shot.
Justin Miller was a revelation to start off with, but he faded badly late on, so we’ll see how that plays out. And that brings us to Solis, who seems like a prime candidate to be non-tendered.
Solis finished the year with a 6.41 ERA, and a 4.92 FIP after he completely fell apart in the second half. Part of that was misuse on Davey Martinez’s part, but he kept getting behind in counts and hanging breaking balls for hitters to do damage with.
The arbitration decision on players is likely to be the key thing to watch, as any non-tendering would signal a new approach. The team can’t be taking more chances on players rebounding, they need results now.