The Washington Nationals are amidst a full-scale rebuild of the entire organization. A half-decade removed from the 2019 World Series, just a few players or coaches remain from the magical playoff run from that season. GM Mike Rizzo is pursuing another championship-caliber team and the 2024 offseason provides an opportunity to improve the ball club. Which two areas should Rizzo focus on this winter to enhance the Nationals outlook for the 2025 season?
Starting Pitching
Previously lesser-known pitchers such as Mitchell Parker and DJ Herz have debuted this season and shown flashes of future success in a Nationals uniform. Jake Irvin has solidified himself a spot in the top half of the Nats' starting rotation.
The Nats are lacking a true number-one starter, someone the squad can depend on every fifth day for a win. Every competitive Nats team from the 2010's was led by a a true ace (or three), and the organization has always relied upon a strong rotation. A pitcher who can consistently pitch into the seventh inning and compete with the best hitters in the league would help take this team to another level. Some of the available pitchers this winter include Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Walker Buehler. It would take a chunk out of the Lerner family's pockets, but signing Corbin Burnes would be a home-run signing for the Nats.
The New York Times projected that Burnes would earn an eight-year, $260 million deal, which would be a pretty penny for the Nats to spend. It would be money well spent for Washington, who haven't had a dominant starting pitcher since Stephen Strasburg. His value came to fruition in the 2019 playoffs, winning World Series MVP. Fans cringe at the idea of shoving out money to starting pitchers after Strasburg's ending with the organization, but Burnes has very little injury history. He's proved to be one of the most durable pitchers in recent memory and the Nats would be smart to sign Corbin Burnes this winter to bolster their starting rotation.
Power Hitting
Another obvious hole for the Washington Nationals is hitting for power. Since 2021, the Nats have been near the bottom of nearly every power hitting statistic in the Major Leagues. They ranked 29th in home runs in 2023 and 25th the season before in 2022. Former Nat Lane Thomas was the lone player to eclipse 20 home runs last season and Juan Soto hit 21 home runs in 2022 to lead the team, despite playing just 101 games with the Nats. Needless to say, the Nats power-hitting situation is nothing short of abysmal.
Enter Anthony Santander, a current Baltimore Oriole who's a impending free agent. The Nationals need to sign Santander solely based on the fact he'll hit 25-plus home runs and provide a steady presence in the lineup as a switch-hitter. Washington needs an elite power-bat to protect their high-caliber prospects like Dylan Crews and James Wood. Currently, teams can target Crews and Wood due to the Nats lacking any other threats, and Santander would more than help with that.
The other name I'd like to mention is Juan Soto. Hopefully, the organization gets to write Soto a blank check to return to D.C., but if not, the Nats should resort to Santander. Soto returning to D.C. just over two years removed from trade would be a full-circle moment for Nats fans, but should be seen as unlikely at this time.