Nationals Projected Bullpen (8)
Tanner Rainey, Daniel Hudson, Brad Hand, Will Harris, Kyle Finnegan, Jeremy Jeffress, Wander Suero, Austin Voth/Erick Fedde
Other Candidates: Erick Fedde/Austin Voth, Ben Braymer, Ryne Harper, Kyle McGowin, Javy Guerra
Over the past decade, the bullpen has been Washington’s biggest weakness and that seems to no longer be the case. On paper, the Nationals have one of the deepest bullpens led by newcomer Brad Hand. Hand will be the new to-go lefty and he brings plenty of closer experience. He will join veterans, Daniel Hudson, and Will Harris. Hudson and Harris are bounce-back candidates after both finding success in 2019, but struggling in 2020.
Fireballer Tanner Rainey is another crucial piece for Dave Martinez. The 28-year old broke out in 2020 posting a 2.66 ERA, with 32 strikeouts in 20.1 innings. Rainey formed a dominant duo with Kyle Finnegan, who posted a 2.92 ERA, with 27 strikeouts in 24.2 innings. Rounding out the bullpen will be Wander Suero. Similar to Rainey, Suero has suffered from inconsistencies, but posted a 3.80 ERA in 2020.
One of Voth and Fedde should become the team’s new long reliever, while Ryne Harper, Javy Guerra, Kyle McGowin, and Ben Braymer will all be battling for a spot.