Washington Nationals: Worst Case Scenario Offseason
By Danny Kelly
Anthony Rendon is traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.
With one year left on his contract, Mike Rizzo decides to pull the trigger on a deal to unload Anthony Rendon. Rizzo decides that the money that could have been used to re-sign Rendon can instead be re-allocated elsewhere in 2020.
Rizzo puts a couple of feelers out there for Anthony right after Harper signs with the Phillies. He gets a couple of offers from teams, but Mike Girsch’s offer of Dakota Hudson and Andrew Knizer gets the job done.
In Hudson, the Washington Nationals are getting an electric arm that will be a middle reliever at worst, but Rizzo and Davey Martinez see Hudson and his mid-90s fastball eventually settling into the starting rotation once a spot opens up. For the time being, Hudson will open the year in a middle relief role similar to how the Cardinals used him this past year.
Knizer could use some more seasoning in the Minors, but his .310/.373/.434 slash line shows that he could be the Nationals starting catcher by 2020.
It’s been a tough couple of weeks seeing Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon both depart, but Mike Rizzo isn’t done. Once he acquires Hudson, he sees an opportunity to move one of his starters.
Trade completed: Anthony Rendon to the St. Louis Cardinals for Dakota Hudson and Andrew Knizer.