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Nationals: Early 2021 26 Man Roster Predictions

By Max Rayman

A general view of the 2019 World Series Champions sign at Nationals Park before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
A general view of the 2019 World Series Champions sign at Nationals Park before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Tanner Rainey
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 02: Tanner Rainey #21 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 2, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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.

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