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Washington Nationals must learn from past catcher mistakes

By Tom Sileo |
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 07: Matt Wieters #32 of the Washington Nationals reacts after lining into a double play in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves during game two of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on August 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Braves defeated the Nationals 3-1. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 07: Matt Wieters #32 of the Washington Nationals reacts after lining into a double play in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves during game two of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on August 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Braves defeated the Nationals 3-1. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

As the Washington Nationals search for another catcher, general manager Mike Rizzo must learn from a series of mistakes that came back to haunt him.

The Washington Nationals will be searching for yet another starting catcher this offseason. This means GM Mike Rizzo needs to learn from previous mistakes that have come back to haunt the organization.

The first mistake was made in 2013 when Rizzo traded Kurt Suzuki back to Oakland for minor league pitcher Dakota Bacus. Bacus has yet to make an impression after he was demoted from Triple-A in 2015 and hasn’t made it back since.

Suzuki, on the other hand, spent four seasons in the American League before ending up in Atlanta, where he helped the Braves dethrone the Nationals in the National League East.

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Sandy Leon was a homegrown Nationals prospect who appeared in 34 MLB games before being shipped to Boston for cash considerations in 2015. He went on to hit .310 for the Red Sox the following year. His offense has fallen off sharply since, but Leon is nevertheless being fitted for a World Series ring while Washington looks for another catcher.

It’s hard to fault Rizzo for declining to re-sign Wilson Ramos after a gruesome injury ended his stellar 2016 season. Still, Ramos went on to be a 2018 AL All-Star in Tampa Bay while Matt Wieters, Spencer Kieboom and Pedro Severino struggled mightily in D.C.

Failing to re-acquire Ramos at July’s trade deadline was a big mistake, especially since he ended up in Philadelphia, where he hit .337. Yes, Ramos was still hampered by injuries, but surely sacrificing a player to be named later, as the Phillies did, would have been worth the risk. Perhaps Rizzo could have worked out an extension with “the Buffalo,” as he is affectionately known to Nats fans, while he was once again roaming Nats Park.

With Wieters gone and not enough production from Kieboom or Severino to anoint either as 2019’s starter, where does Rizzo go from here? Well, the Nats GM recently told Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post that he is “looking for a front-line catcher,” so it seems to be on his radar.

Both Ramos, who is 31 years old, and Suzuki, who is 35, are available this offseason. While not a free agent, the biggest prize is Miami’s 27-year-old superstar J.T. Realmuto, who’s long been on Washington’s radar.

Rizzo’s reported refusal to include Juan Soto in a Realmuto deal has been proven right, but “overpaying” for the Marlins catcher this off-season may be worthwhile, especially to keep him out of Atlanta. Whether that’s even possible likely hinges on Bryce Harper, whose departure would make young outfielder Victor Robles untouchable.

Free agent Yasmani Grandal is only 30, but just a .240 career hitter despite some power. Jonathan Lucroy, who will be 33 on Opening Day, is an intriguing option but has regressed offensively since 2016. Francisco Cervelli, also 33, should be available via trade, but once served a suspension for performance-enhancing drug use.

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Whatever the Washington Nationals decide, the team must make a long-term investment in the catching position. Playing musical chairs has hurt the team, especially after giving away “backup” catchers who wound up becoming starters on playoff-bound teams. Your move, Mr. Rizzo.

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