District On Deck Writers Answer Four Questions Before Spring Training

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Sean Doolittle #63 of the Washington Nationals celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Houston Astros in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros with a score of 6 to 2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Sean Doolittle #63 of the Washington Nationals celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Houston Astros in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros with a score of 6 to 2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
1 of 4
Next

With less than a month before Spring Training, the Nationals have filled out most of their roster. Mike Rizzo and company have once again risen to the occasion and were able to field another competitive team. After all of the team’s flurry of moves, District On Deck’s writers got together to answer four questions the team is facing before Spring Training.

Are you happy with the team’s offseason moves?

James: I am. I believe the Nationals made quality moves without breaking the bank or over-committing themselves to the future. We still don’t know what the on-the-field product will look like. I trust the team will be competitive, though if they are not, the Nats have a lot of expiring contracts at the end of the season, allowing them to take the team in a different direction.

The Nationals had a lot of holes to fill, and they were the team with the most open 40-man roster spots at one point early in the offseason. In what turned out to be a slow-moving market, the Nationals were able to bring in two power bats (one via trade), a veteran pitcher for the backend of the rotation, and solid bullpen help. And the face of the franchise is back as well.

There are teams out there who have signed just one, two, lesser know free agents. The Nationals were active in free agency and showed the fan base they want to get back to October baseball.

Ben: I would say I feel content with the job Mike Rizzo and his staff have done this offseason, but I definitely think the offense is still another bat away from being a legitimate threat not only in the NL East but the entire NL. There are still some question marks, but this team should be a force especially when you have arguably the best hitter and pitcher in baseball on your team.

Max: Absolutely! Heading into the off-season, Washington needed a first baseman, corner outfielder, fourth starter, bullpen depth, backup catcher, and infield depth. Mike Rizzo responded by adding/re-signing Josh Bell, Ryan Zimmerman, Kyle Schwarber, Jon Lester, Brad Hand, Alex Avila, and Josh Harrison. This is a quality haul, especially due to the fact that Rizzo didn’t have much cap room to work with (seeing how ownership wanted to stay under the tax).

Questions still remain at third base, but I still have faith in Carter Kieboom putting it all together. He has been unfairly bashed by the fanbase for his slow start. However, the team has yet to give him the full opportunity he deserves.

Closing pitcher Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the ninth inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on September 30, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 10-9. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Closing pitcher Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the ninth inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on September 30, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 10-9. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

What move stands out to you the most?

James: We knew the Nationals were going to be in the market for some power bats. Although I was hoping for the Nationals to acquire Gary Sanchez in a trade with the Yankees, I wasn’t surprised they decided to go with a lesser-known catcher (Alex Avila) and have Yan Gomes handle the majority of the duties. Jon Lester was a nice pickup and a much needed addition to the backend of the rotation.

All this to say, the addition of Brad Hand stands out the most to me. Having already invested a lot of money in the bullpen, general manager Mike Rizzo decided to spend another $10.5M on Hand. This stands out because the Nationals could have gotten by with Daniel Hudson and Tanner Rainey as their closers. The move is beneficial because it takes Hudson out of high leverage situations, something he was not keen on pitching in before, and defines a few other roles.

If memory serves, the Nationals bullpen has been a weak point in recent years. This year, the bullpen may be the strength.

Ben: The Kyle Schwarber move, in my opinion, is the make-or-break deal of the offseason for the Nats. Schwarber hasn’t quite lived up to the hype after his excellent 2016 World Series, but there is still a lot of upside in his bat, and with a change of scenery and maybe some help from Kevin Long, Schwarber may benefit from a tweak or two.

Max: The Brad Hand signing takes the cake for me. With all of the holes Rizzo had to fill, I was convinced there was no shot the team would splurge on a reliever. I was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong when Rizzo signed the veteran to a one-year deal. Since 2016, Hand has been one of the best lefty relievers in the game. 

Hand offers the bullpen a shutdown lefty option and has plenty of closer experience. Now Dave Martinez has another deadly weapon at his disposal.

Mark Melancon #43 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after a victory against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on October 2, 2016, in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Mark Melancon #43 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after a victory against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on October 2, 2016, in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

What is one more move you would like to see the team make?

James: A team can never have too much pitching. The Nationals recent history should be a large enough example of this concept. From the stockpiling of bullpen arms throughout the summer of 2019 to employing a laundry list of players to start games during an injury-riddled 2020 season, having depth at the pitching position is no joke.

For this reason, I do believe the Nationals should sign another arm for depth purposes. With the market being as such this year, adding a couple of guys on minor league contracts could go a long way as injury insurance. Joe Ross hasn’t pitched in over a year, and the Austin Voth/Erick Fedde experiment was a rocky one last year.

There are several veteran pitchers out there still to be had and the Nats should take a flier on one of them. Wouldn’t even have to be a major league contract. Grabbing an innings eating arm on a minors deal could pay big dividends down the road.

Ben: I think this team has done a pretty solid job filling in the obvious holes and the Brad Hand signing, I think moves the needle a bit in the NL East. However, the lineup seems to lack a right-handed power bat, and I am in favor of the club pursuing a power-hitting infielder that you could plug in at third base. With the options dwindling on the free-agent market, the front office may have to get creative. Some names that come to mind would be switch-hitting third baseman Jose Ramirez or even Yankees oft-injured slugger Miguel Andújar, who’s had some defensive issues, but is a force at the plate if healthy.

Max: Most fans want to see Washington add a bridge third baseman but I think that’s a mistake. Yes, Carter Kieboom has yet to prove he belongs at the pro level, but he hasn’t been given a full chance. Entering 2020, many were skeptical of his defense and he quickly impressed, posting 5 DRS. Here’s hoping his bat will follow suit.

In that case, I would love to see the Nats sign Mark Melancon. The bullpen has already become a strength, but why not bolster it even more? Melancon was with the Nats for the second half of the 2016 season and was able to rebuild his stock over the last two years in Atlanta. In his two seasons with the Braves, went 3-1, with a 3.30 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and a 2.81 FIP. Melancon has 205 career saves to only 34 blown saves, providing Rizzo with another closer. Already 35, the veteran wouldn’t be very expensive and would help put the relief corps over the top. You can never have too much bullpen help.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Has the team done enough to compete in 2021?

James: What are we looking at competing for, the division title, or a wild card berth? As evidenced in 2019, all a team needs is a seat at the table to win the whole thing. That being said, yes, I do believe the team will be competitive this year.

One of the strengths of the team will be the starting rotation. A healthy Stephen Strasburg and a determined Max Scherzer (in a walk year), are a force to reckon with at the front end of the rotation. Adding Brad Hand to the bullpen was a great move and will help define roles moving forward.

The additions of Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber will mean more home run balls flying out of Nationals Park. I do not believe a move at third base is needed, though I would not be surprised if one is made. At this point, the Nats have made enough moves to make themselves a feared opponent on the schedule during the 2021 season.

Ben: Go get another big bat to pencil in at third and I think this team has what it takes to compete in the very competitive National League. With a rotation led by Scherzer, Strasburg, and Corbin, the Nats should be feeling pretty good about themselves going into 2021.

Max: The NL East is arguably the most competitive division in the league. Atlanta is the team to beat, while the Mets went and traded for Francisco Lindor. The Phillies hired Dave Dombrowski to be the team’s new president and were able to re-sign J.T. Realmuto. Miami is ahead of schedule and last year they made the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

Washington’s hopes for competing in 2021 relies on the starting rotation bouncing back. Stephen Strasburg is returning from season-ending surgery, while Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin struggled in 2020. Joe Ross is back after opting out of the 2020 season and veteran Jon Lester was brought in to be the team’s new fourth starter. More of a name at this point in his career, Lester is still an innings eater. The team will only go as far as their rotation will carry them.

Rizzo’s biggest acquisitions in Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber will need to provide the pop that has been missing from the lineup. Both had monster seasons in 2019 but struggled in 2020. They join Trea Turner, Juan Soto, and Victo Robles in the lineup that has seen plenty of changes over the last few seasons. Washington has completely revamped the bullpen and it finally appears to be a strength.

The NL East will once again be a battlefield and with a vastly improved San Diego Padres team, the Wild Card race will also be very challenging. Washington has a chance to compete, but everything will need to go perfectly for that to happen.

Next