A Washington Nationals Christmas Wishlist

WASHINGTON DC, USA - DECEMBER 17: People dressed up as Santa Clause during SantaCon Day in Washington DC, United States on December 17, 2022. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON DC, USA - DECEMBER 17: People dressed up as Santa Clause during SantaCon Day in Washington DC, United States on December 17, 2022. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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With Christmas just a week away, I thought we would put a wishlist together for the 2023 Washington Nationals. Obviously we all want things like a World Series, or even just a competitive team, or a healthy Stephen Strasburg or Rookie of the Year Campaigns from all of our young core. However, I thought it best to keep this list to realistic moves that could, or at least should, happen. It’s also worth mentioning that improving the analytics and player development staff/department was high on this list, but it does seem as though the Nationals are attempting to improve those areas, so we will hold off for now.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 25: The Washington Nationals mascot “Screech” pumps up the crowd prior to Game Three of the 2019 World Series against the Houston Astros at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 25: The Washington Nationals mascot “Screech” pumps up the crowd prior to Game Three of the 2019 World Series against the Houston Astros at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

With the way events have transpired since our 2019 World Series win, it’s possible nothing else on this list becomes a reality, but hey, what better time to be optimistic than during the Holidays!

1. Sell The Team

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 03: CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Ted Leonsis speaks to media after announcing William Hill and Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s innovative partnership to launch new era of sports betting on October 03, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for William Hill U.S.)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 03: CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Ted Leonsis speaks to media after announcing William Hill and Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s innovative partnership to launch new era of sports betting on October 03, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for William Hill U.S.) /

I think this one is pretty obvious, but you always start with the biggest present first on your list, right?

Whether it be Ted Leonsis & Company, or someone else, it is clear that at this point the team is in better hands with almost anyone else than the Lerner Family. They have appeared mentally checked out from the franchise ever since 2019, and it has severely hindered what Mike Rizzo and the front office have been able to do transactionally. It also isn’t the first time the Lerners haven’t let Rizzo cook, as the talk and reports of the Lerners interfering with Front Office matters, which is any owner’s prerogative, dates back to the mid-2010s.

But we’re not here to dredge up the past, but rather look towards the future. This year, we’re wishing for new ownership. Ownership that is motivated to return this team to the force it was for the better part of a decade. We as fans will be patient, all we ask in return is to see some progress. Rebuilds aren’t completed overnight, but there are strategies to accelerate them. Having ownership that wants to get back to winning and sustain competitive teams is the first step in doing so.

2. Nationals Sign a Legitimate Power Bat

ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 02: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets watches after hitting a ball deep for a home run during the eighth inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on October 2, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 02: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets watches after hitting a ball deep for a home run during the eighth inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on October 2, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Alright, now we get down to the nitty gritty. It’s actually promising what Mike Rizzo has been able to accomplish this offseason under the circumstances. But the one move the Nats have not made as of yet is one for a power bat in the lineup. And before you even ask, no, Matt Adams does not count.

The decision to non-tender Luke Voit, while understandable, made an already low-power lineup even more low on power. Right now, Joey Meneses projects to be your best power hitter, and while he had a phenomenal stretch, it would not surprise me to see regression in 2023. After Meneses, I don’t see anyone currently on the team hitting more than 20 home runs. Candelario could, but if he is on pace to exceed that mark, I would hope they would trade him at the deadline.

For a team with not much power in their lineup and not many assets to presumably sell at the deadline (although they have more now than they did at the end of the season), signing a high upside power bat seems like a no brainer. And the best news is there are still plenty of reasonable options available! For this wishlist entry, we’d accept:

  • Michael Conforto
  • Wil Myers
  • Adam Duvall

Sure none of these players are franchise players, but we’re looking for players that are looking to re-establish their value in hopes of a longer, more lucrative deal next offseason and these three fit the bill. All of them have a 30 home run season in their career and are arguably still in their prime.

3. Nationals Add More Pitching Depth

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 19: Seth Lugo #67 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the eighth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on April 19, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 19: Seth Lugo #67 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the eighth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on April 19, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /

This seems like the most likely to happen on the list. The Nationals have already signed Trevor Williams to the starting rotation and re-signed Erasmo Ramirez to the bullpen, but there’s not reason they can’t continue to improve upon what was the worst pitching staff in baseball last season. And it seems like the Nationals are trying to do just that, as it was recently reported the Nationals are still in on Seth Lugo. They’ll have to fight off some other teams to sign Lugo, but it is reassuring to know the Nationals are at least looking to continue to add pitching.

Whether they are able to add Lugo, which would be great, or if they find help elsewhere, they just need more. You’re hoping for big jumps from your young guys and bounce back performances from others, but pitching depth has seemingly always been an issue for this team. Mike Rizzo has typically done well with his Minor League Deals, such as signing Anibal Sanchez and Sean Doolittle last season, but this year, we are wishing to start the year with depth. Players like Williams, Lugo and others that have experience both starting games and coming out of the bullpen would be incredibly valuable to this team.

4. Sell The Team

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: Washington Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo (L) gives a thumbs up to the crowd with Nationals owner Ted Lerner while accepting an award for MLB Executive of the Year before the Opening Day game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on Monday, April 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: Washington Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo (L) gives a thumbs up to the crowd with Nationals owner Ted Lerner while accepting an award for MLB Executive of the Year before the Opening Day game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on Monday, April 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /

Please, sell the team. Don’t turn us into the Athletics or Pirates of the world that depend on a perfect storm of generational talent in order to even consider making the playoffs. Rebuilds are a natural part of the cycle of sports, and the Nats were a bit overdue for one if we’re being honest, but there’s no need to draw it out longer than it needs to be. We have the young prospects, and the number 2 pick in next year’s MLB draft, so let’s get the ball rolling and formally usher in the new era of Nationals baseball. Sell the team.

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