After a spree of signings, the Washington Nationals sit at a crossroads
By Max Rayman
Following a signing spree, the Washington Nationals have answered their infield vacancy’s. Despite this, questions have risen if the Nats are done.
Despite signing Will Harris, Daniel Hudson, Asdrubal Cabrera, Eric Thames, and Starlin Castro all in the past two weeks, Mike Rizzo and the Washington Nationals have some decisions to make. They have been linked to Josh Donaldson who is the best free agent left on the market. While the team can justify standing pat, they need to weigh the option of going all in to defend their title. The other decision the teams needs to answer is the fate of franchise cornerstone Ryan Zimmerman.
To Sign Or Not To Sign Josh Donaldson
Currently, Cabrera will man third while Castro takes over at second. This means top prospect Carter Kieboom, will be platooning at second and third.
Replacing an MVP candidate like Rendon is hard to do, since he hit .319, with 34 homers, and 126 RBI’s. Signing Donaldson would be a great replacement, as he is coming off a bounce back season that saw him hit .259, with 37 home runs, and 94 RBI’s. Both finished in the top three for the Gold Glove at third base.
Cabrera found resurgence last season after being traded back to the Nat. He hit .323, with six homers, and 40 RBI’s in 38 games. Regardless, Cabrera’s last few seasons have shown he is likely to regress instead of continuing his torrid pace. Donaldson had a WAR of 6.1 compared to Cabrera’s 1.7.
The “Bringer of Rain” is 34 and looking at his last chance for a major payday. Jeff Todd of MLB Trade rumors stated that Donaldson is looking for “110 million.” Minnesota, Atlanta, and Washington all have offers for the veteran third baseman on the table. According to sportrac, the Nationals have 195 million dollars on the books for 2020. That leaves them with 12.6 million to work with. If the Nats want to be the favorites to win the NL East next season, they will need to sign Josh Donaldson to replace Anthony Rendon. Donaldson is projected to make 25 million or more a year. Signing him would place the Nationals into the luxury tax, but fortunately the Nats were able to stay under the tax in 2019 which reset the penalty.
The other downside of signing Donaldson is that he is 34, and has suffered from injuries in the past. He showed in 2019 he can still play with the best of them, but this is a gamble that could cost the team towards the end of the contract, as older players bodies don’t always hold up. That, plus entering the luxury tax is definitely weighing on Mike Rizzo’s mind.
Despite the recent acquisitions and facing the luxury tax, Washington has reportedly kept the offer for Donaldson on the table. I think this is a smart decision as he would go a long way in allowing the Nats to become the first team to repeat as champions since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees.
The Ryan Zimmerman Conundrum
As it stands now, Thames would platoon at first base with playoff hero Howie Kendrick. The Thames signing brings up the difficult question of what happens to face of the franchise Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman had his team option for 2020 declined and he became a free agent. Back in August, Zimmerman stated, “I’m willing to come back [to Washington] and do one year, year by year, for a lot less money,”. “I don’t think the money matters to me anymore. I just want to continue to play baseball and keep playing baseball in D.C. I’m lucky that my kids are here. My family is here.” And while he didn’t come out and say he would retire if he wasn’t brought back, it was implied. Zimmerman added, “it would be a tough decision to leave my family and not be around”.
Due to injuries the last two season, Mr. National only played in 85 and 52 games in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Zimmerman Last season he hit .257, with six homers, and 27 RBI’s. However he was healthy for the playoffs and hit the Franchise’s first World Series home run.
If both sides can agree on a price, Washington should bring back Zimmerman for a few reasons. One, he can platoon with Kendrick and Thames, allowing for him to have extra rest. The other reason being, Zimmerman has shown when healthy he can still mash, and he is arguably the best defender of the three. Not to mention he is an incredible mentor for the younger players. Allow for Zimmerman to retire on his own terms and bring him back for the title defense and one last hurrah.
Seeing the crossroads Mike Rizzo faces makes me happy I’m not in his shoes.