WASH: 3 players Nationals should sign to round out spring roster

Maikel Franco

The Nationals will begin the year with Carter Kieboom as the third baseman. An offseason filled with Kris Bryant pseudo rumors, Eugenio Suarez real rumors, and Justin Turner wishful thinking will all be for not. The Nationals have backed Kieboom, recanted on Kieboom, and seem to be moving forward with Kieboom as the Opening Day third sacker. If he struggles like he did his first three opportunities, I fear that will be the end of Kieboom in DC. He won’t be sent down, he’ll be sent out.

There are a couple in house options in Josh Harrison and Starlin Castro. Neither seems like a great permanent option. Jordy Mercer was signed to a minor league contract in hopes of providing depth on the infield, yet he has only played five games at third base and has a career OPS of .702.

Maikel Franco on the other hand, has seven years experience at third base and is coming off a year where he hit .278 with an OPS of .778, with the Kansas City Royals. After the Royals non-tendered Franco, he hit the open market and hasn’t been scooped up yet. While Franco may sign a minor league contract, he may have an early opt out clause were he not to get called up at a certain point early in the season. By that point the Nationals may know whether Kieboom is going to work out or not. If he does, cut Franco loose. If he doesn’t, call up Franco to be the experienced presence at third base until that long term option is worked out.