District On Deck Writers Answer Four Questions Before Spring Training

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.

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.

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.