KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 30: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks out of the players tunnel at halftime with teammates Zach Kerr #69 and D'Ante Smith #70 during the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
After dominating the NL for almost a decade, the Washington Nationals have started a rebuild. To return to relevance, they need to take a page from the Bengals.
From 2011 to 2015, the Cincinnati Bengals reached the playoffs every year, winning two division titles over that span. Unfortunately, they continued to fall short in the playoffs, losing in the first round every time.
Then in 2016 their playoff window was forced shut and they entered a brutal rebuild, hitting rock bottom in 2019 when they finished with the worst record in the league (2-14). Yet, the Bengals were able to take advantage of the number one pick, drafting quarterback Joe Burrow. The following year they finished with the fifth pick in the draft thanks to a 4-12 record and selected wide receiver Jamar Chase.
Entering the 2021 season, the Bengals were once again picked to finish last in their division, but they had other plans. Thanks to Burrow and Chase and the Bengals’ impressive free-agent acquisitions, the team won the division for the first time since 2015 and finally were able to get over the playoff hump. They are set to play the Rams in the Super Bowl later tonight.
The Bengals arrived earlier as contenders earlier than expected which should put a smile on the Nationals’ face. Entering the first year of their respective rebuild, they already have a superstar to build around, giving them a leg up.
Most MLB rebuilds take 4-5 years on average, but Mike Rizzo plans on having the Washington Nationals return to contention by 2024. In order to do that, the Nationals need to follow the Bengals blueprint and accomplish two important steps.
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) /
Step1: Find A Superstar To Compliment Juan Soto
When the Nationals won the World Series in 2019, it was largely due to their superstars getting hot at the right time and taking over games. Anthony Rendon, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Juan Soto all had monster performances, with Soto, in particular, making his presence felt (three homers, 1.178 OPS against Houston).
In fact, it has become common for teams to build their rosters around multiple superstars, with the 2016 Cubs, 2017 Astros, 2018 Red Sox, and 2020 Dodgers standing out. Yet, it isn’t entirely necessary, with the 2015 Kansas City Royals and 2021 Atlanta Braves coming to mind.
Soto is the sole remaining superstar left on the Nationals (Strasburg is coming off his second straight season-ending surgery and will need to prove he can stay healthy) and needs reinforcement in the lineup.
For the Bengals, they have been fueled by the connection between Joe Burrow and Ja’marr Chase, with Burrow and Chase connecting for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. But it hasn’t just been them, with Trey Hendrickson anchoring the defense. Signed to a four-year deal in the off-season, Hendrickson posted 14 sacks and three forced fumbles in his first year with the team.
Washington is hoping Keibert Ruiz, who was acquired in the Max Scherzer/Trea Turner trade, lives up to his potential to become Soto’s running mate in the lineup.
Step 2: Nail Their Draft Picks
This should be self-explanatory, but it is a crucial ingredient. A major reason for the Nationals’ contention window being forced shut was due to the front office continually whiffing on their draft picks.
Since 2012, Washington spent first-round picks on Lucas Giolito, Erick Fedde, Carter Kieboom, Dane Dunning, Seth Romero, Mason Denaburg, Jackson Rutledge, Cade Cavalli, and Brady House. Giolito and Dunning were flipped for Adam Eaton. Seth Romero has been plagued by injuries and off-the-field issues. Denaburg has also dealt with injuries and has yet to make it past the Rookie League.
Kieboom and Fedde have both made their Nationals debut, but neither has proven they belong to stay long term. Rutledge, Cavalli, and House are all seen as future cornerstones, but still need to prove they can stick. Washington has the fifth pick in the upcoming draft and cannot afford another whiff.
Joe Burrow and Ja’marr Chase have transformed the Bengals into one of the most electric teams in the NFL, but it hasn’t just been them. Cincinnati’s drastic transformation is due to the front office’s shrewd drafting. Joe Mixon, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, C.J. Uzomah, Evan McPherson, and Jonah Williams are all key contributors to the Bengals turnaround.
