Nationals: DoD Writers Answer Important Free Agency Questions

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What should be the team’s biggest priority?

Max Rayman: Say it with me. Fix the bullpen. Washington’s relief core finished 2021 last in all of baseball in losses (42), tied for last in FIP (4.86) and blown saves (34), 29th in ERA (5.08), and fWAR (-0.2), and 28th in LOB% (67.7%).

In order for the Nationals to take the next step in the rebuild, the bullpen will need to be overhauled. Most importantly, the bullpen needs a closer, a top-end lefty, and at least one other high leverage guy. In the current baseball meta, adding two closers would be ideal, because the save doesn’t always occur in the ninth inning.

Aaron Loup, Mark Melancon (mutual option), Craig Stammen, Daniel Hudson, Brad Boxberger, Yimi García, and Corey Knebel are all ideal options.

James Simmons: There are a lot of unanswered questions with the roster still. The starting rotation lacks substance, the bullpen is a mess, the starting centerfield job is up for grabs and we are left wondering if Carter Kieboom is the third baseman of the future.

The Nationals need to prioritize developing their youth while putting capable veterans around them as the rebuild enters its first full season. Josiah Gray and Keibert Ruiz need to continue to show growth at their respective positions. Luis Garcia needs to take the reins to prove he can play every day. Signing Alcides Escobar was a good move, there will be a couple of other guys just like him the Nats can find on cheap, one-year contracts, to get through the 2022 season.

Nationals Source: Keeping the focus on the future should be the biggest priority. The team as currently constructed could certainly be a competitive team this year with small additions. For example, a team playing like the Nats did post-deadline with a better bullpen can be competitive. I truly look at 2022 as a new 2011. A potentially good team that is on the verge. 2023 to me will be the year when prospect talent is bubbling to the top and that is the time you add big names.

Joe Edelen: The Nats’ top priority should be to do any and everything in their power to sign Juan Soto to a long-term contract. There’s no debate that Soto SHOULD be the future of the Nationals, but right now, the only question that looms is how the Nationals will keep one of the game’s biggest stars. Soto doesn’t hit free agency until 2025, so there’s plenty of time, but given the Lerner’s recent reluctance to break the bank leaves room for uncertainty. The Lerner’s aren’t afraid to spend, but letting Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon walk in back-to-back offseasons has left some fans pessimistic about their chances to keep Soto. As one of the brightest young stars in all of sports, Soto needs to be a National for life, even if that means handing him a blank check.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 03: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Boston Red Sox at Nationals Park on October 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Is now the time for Washington to splurge?

Max Rayman: Sadly, no. Washington has holes at left, third, short, in the bullpen, and the rotation. Not to mention, they need to add a few bench bats. The farm system has some promising arms, but the majority of them are seen as two-three years away. While this is the most stacked free-agent class in recent memory, unfortunately, the timing doesn’t match up with Washington’s rebuild. Keep in mind, Mike Rizzo will not target anyone who will be offered a qualifying offer.

James Simmons: Yes, if that splurge is on Juan Soto. When it comes to free agents. No, not the time. I do not think this will be a long rebuild, though we still are in the early stages. Continue to develop the youth and find some serviceable vets to fill out the lineup. The Nats have the fifth pick in the draft. They can have some tradable assets to get rid of at the deadline. They need to save their pennies for a future spending spree.

Nationals Source: No. Almost every splurge-type player will be attached to a qualifying offer. A team in the Nationals position cannot sign someone with a QO because it would mean that they would lose a top 50 pick and international pool money. Not only is a top 50 pick valuable but for a team attempting to sign two top 10 international prospects in Cristian Vaquero and Anthony Gutierrez losing international money would all but put an end to at least one of those signings.

Joe Edelen: This offseason provides the perfect opportunity for the Nationals to splurge, and despite this past season’s fire sale, this offseason could provide a quick turnaround for 2022. When Mike Rizzo spoke to the media in early October, he stated that he wouldn’t put a timetable on the Nationals’ rebuild other than to say that they are looking forward to a championship-caliber season in 2022. After last season, that should have fans extremely hopeful for what the team does this offseason. When you look at the Nationals’ lineup as is, there are glaring holes, and though last season was good for development, particularly for their depth, it’s still a must to improve.

The Nats currently have their promising young infielders in Luis Garcia and Carter Kieboom, and though Garcia showed glimpses of what he could become, it seems as if Kieboom’s stock as a future starter may be at an all-time low. Alcides Escobar was also solid for the Nats, but the 34-year-old certainly isn’t the shortstop of the future. With holes in the infield, and seemingly two outfield spots up for grabs, Rizzo & Co. would be wise to restock on major league talent in what is a loaded free agency class.

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) /

How should Washington address the rotation?

Max Rayman: Last year the team relied on the big three and added Jon Lester on a one-year deal. Outside of Max Scherzer, everyone was a disaster, be it injuries or inconsistencies. Patrick Corbin and Stephen Strasburg are surrounded with question marks and Mike Rizzo will need to decide how much he trusts the duo to return to form. If he doesn’t, then adding a veteran starter such as Alex Wood might be needed.

Josiah Gray, Erick Fedde, Joe Ross, Josh Rogers, and Paolo Espino will all be vying for a spot, with gray the player who is seen as part of the future. Cade Cavalli struggled at AAA, but he will be given a serious opportunity come Spring Training. Rizzo also needs to determine how far away pitching prospects Cole Henry, Jackson Rutledge, and Joan Adon are. If he still thinks they are a few years away, then adding a placeholder or two will be in the cards.

James Simmons: Imagine thinking Paolo Espino could make the Opening Day roster and be a vital part of the starting rotation. The minor league journeyman who has found a home with the Nationals will indeed come into camp as possibly the fourth starter.

He’ll be joined by Stephen Strasburg (if healthy) and Patrick Corbin. Because of the salaries, these two guys carry, will be tough to supplement them with much else. Grabbing a couple of guys off the free-agent scrap heap should suffice to chew up innings and buy some time. Matt Moore, Tanner Roark, maybe Chris Archer is he is healthy. Expectations for the pitching staff will not be high and the big-name prospects in the minor leagues probably need a little more seasoning.

Nationals Source: A rotation of Strasburg, Corbin, Gray, Espino, and Rogers could be okay if healthy, but the team obviously should add some depth there. They could go about this in two different ways. The first way would be adding some solid veteran depth pieces like Michael Pineda, Steven Matz, or Zach Davies who have pitched for a while and shown the ability to contribute. They could also look at one of two bigger options. Those options would be Marcus Stroman and Kevin Gausman and they will not be attached to qualifying offers. We all know Rizzo loves his pitching and if there is any sizeable move I expect it to be on the pitching side of things.

Joe Edelen: After seeing the success of this season’s San Francisco Giants, who signed three free-agent starting pitchers last offseason, it’s obvious that a lot of front offices will try to duplicate that this offseason. When the Giants signed Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani, and Alex Wood, nobody expected the trio to become three of the best statistical pitchers in the game. The trio sat atop the leaders in ERA for much of the year, but most importantly, they helped lead the Giants to the top seed in the NL.

This method could probably work for the Nats, but it would be redundant to tie up even more money into your starting pitchers when you’re already paying Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin over a combined $50 million in 2022. With already so many young pitchers on the 40-man roster, it would be wise to at least sign one experienced starter, but I wouldn’t expect the Nationals to want to spend big, so a low-risk, high reward type of starter could be the way to go.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 24: Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park on September 24, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Who is one free agent you want to see the team sign?

Max Rayman: Obviously I would love to see Max Scherzer back in D.C., but that is a pipe dream. Nick Castellanos (.309 BA, 34 HRs, .939 OPS) and Kyle Schwarber (.266 BA, 32 HRs, .928 OPS) would both provide some significant thump to the lineup and with the DH sure to come, neither would have to play the field. Castellanos just had a career year with the Reds and will more than likely opt out of his contract. Schwarber instantly became a fan favorite in D.C., over his half a year with the team. Both would add some much-needed protection for Juan Soto in the lineup.

James Simmons: Asdrubal Cabrera is a free agent again. Just kidding. Kyle Schwarber would be the guy I would love to see back in a Washington Nationals uniform. He electrified the fans over the month of June and he carried the team to within two games of the division lead. His attitude, presence, and stroke were all exactly what the team needed. Do I think the Nats will bring Schwarber back? I do not. We’ll see what he can do in the ALCS with the Red Sox, though he’ll probably command a little more money than the Nats are willing to pay. Therefore he’ll probably turn down his portion of the mutual option he has with the Sox.

Nationals Source: My dream signing would be Nick Castellanos. This would go against my no splurging rule, but he will not have a qualifying offer and will only just be turning 30. He would change this offense and with a DH on the way that should add some longevity. I doubt it happens as a move like that causes many other things, but he could be a real game-changer for the offense.

Joe Edelen: If there were one free agent that I’d like to see the Nationals sign, it’d without a doubt be Carlos Correa. At only 27, Correa could excel alongside Juan Soto for years to come, but the price will be hefty to lock down a player like Correa as many teams will be interested. I think the most realistic candidate for the Nationals to sign this offseason would be Starling Marte. After being traded to Oakland at the deadline, Marte was a spark plug for the Athletics. Between his stints in Miami and Oakland, Marte batted .308, stole 47 bases, and provided Gold Glove-caliber defense all year long.

At this year’s trade deadline, Marte was traded to Oakland for Jesus Luzardo, one of Oakland’s top young pitchers. This is important because if the Nationals were to sign Marte, he not only would provide an upgrade at the center field position, but if 2022 doesn’t quite pan out, the Nats should be able to get a good return if they trade Marte to a contender. To me, signing a player like Marte would come with little risk and a high reward.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 19: Gavin Lux #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs the bases during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 19, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Who is one player you want to see Washington trade for?

Max Rayman: Last off-seasons trade market was littered with high-end superstars, but it was the San Francisco Giants who came away with the biggest steal. They acquired LaMonte Wade Jr. for pitcher Shaun Anderson. At the time, Wade was a struggling outfielder, but this season he blossomed with the Giants, hitting .253, with 18 homers, 56 RBIs, and an OPS of .808.

As I mentioned earlier, the Nats have plenty of holes and will be hard-pressed to fill them. They need to follow the Giant’s path and should target younger players who are blocked for playing time or need a change of scenery.

James Simmons: I don’t have any names, though I’d like to see some bullpen depth acquired, similar to the Kyle Barraclough and Ryne Harper trades which have recently taken place. Now, these two guys haven’t worked out the way the Nationals would have wanted them to, but they didn’t cost anything either. There are only a couple players who have guaranteed jobs entering spring, everyone else will be battling for a job. Why not add a couple other arms to the mix and see if a diamond in the rough can be found. Maybe find a guy or two who are coming off of a poor year. Rizzo has traded for several arms over the past few years, time to go after a few more.

Nationals Source: I really don’t see any big trades taking place, but if the Nationals really wanted to I think we could find some good change of scenery guys out there. Keston Hiura or Gavin Lux comes to mind. Two guys that have struggled recently, but if things turned around in a new place they could be a part of the future. Obviously, there is zero chance we get one of them for Kieboom straight up, but maybe him and some additional pieces. As much as id hate it I could even be talked into swapping Victor for one of them as their position fits our needs more. Two big focuses of any trade should be not giving up a large amount of future value and making sure the return can be part of that future.

Joe Edelen: One player I’d like to see the Nationals trade for would be Whit Merrifield of the Kansas City Royals. Last season, Merrifield was an AL All-Star, tied for the major league lead in doubles with 42, and finished second in stolen bases with 40. One of the best attributes that Merrifield would bring to Washington would be his versatility. The ability to be able to move Merrifield around from the infield to the outfield would be beneficial, and Merrifield would certainly add speed to a Nationals’ lineup that is lacking it so heavily. With the potential additions of Marte and Merrifield, the Nats would add proven major league talent to its lineup, as well as the top two stolen base leaders in 2021, which would be huge for this lineup post-Trea Turner.

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