Washington Nationals Offseason Check-in
There have not been many moves for the Nationals this offseason, but there roster still sits full at 40 players. If the season began today, what would the team look like?
It's the New Year and the MLB offseason is in full swing. The Nationals have not yet made a "big" signing but have logged several transactions. A few players have been signed, and a few have been designated for assignment. The time is ticking for Nats' GM Mike Rizzo to convince free agents why Washington is the destination for them. Washington, a rebuilding franchise with many young players, could be enticing for an impactful veteran player. This is your Washington Nationals offseason check-in.
Key Additions
SS Nasim Nuñez, Rule 5 Draft Selection
Selected in the Major League round of the Rule 5 Draft, Nasim Nuñez could have an instant impact in Washington next season. Known for his speed and defensive prowess, the 5 foot 9, 168 pound Nuñez packs a punch. According to Baseball America, Nuñez was the Miami Marlins' best defensive infield glove and arm in their entire minor league system.
Nasim wasn't drafted to replace CJ Abrams at shortstop but to provide a defensive presence on the bench. Nuñez could also compete for the starting second base position at Spring Training, as coach Davey Martinez did not guarantee the spot to Luis Garcia. Nuñez is a career .233 hitter at the AA level, so his bat skills must improve to survive at the Major League level.
OF/3B Nick Senzel, 1 year/ $2 Million
Senzel, a five-year MLB veteran, spent the entirety of his early career with the Cincinnati Reds. A former top prospect in the Reds organization, Senzel has not had the career he had once hoped. Senzel had a solid debut season in 2019, hitting 12 home runs in 104 games, but has yet to replicate such success. Senzel can play multiple positions, raising the Nationals' interest level in him.
The 28-year-old is expected to be the Nationals' everyday third baseman, per Jessica Camerato. Senzel is also close friends with Washington OF Lane Thomas. The two played travel baseball together in their younger days. Has the vacancy at third base following the Jeimer Candelario trade finally been filled?
RP Dylan Floro, 1 year/ $2.25 Million
Floro, a 32-year-old veteran, could be a sneaky signing of the offseason for Mike Rizzo. The journeyman is now on his seventh MLB team and has a strong track record to show for it. Floro has a career 3.42 ERA and 124 ERA+, according to baseball-reference.com. The right-hander has experience in 14 playoff games that could provide a veteran presence for the Nats' young relievers. In 2022, Floro posted a 3.02 ERA, ten saves, and a 94 ERA+.
Floro can fit multiple roles in the bullpen for Washington, who struggled with depth in last year's 'pen. Not many pitchers were consistent besides Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey. Mike Rizzo is hoping Dylan Floro can provide stability to the 2024 bullpen.
Key Minor League Signings
1B/OF Dermis Garcia
Dermis Garcia, 25 years old, signed a minor league contract with Washington on December 13. Dérmis last saw action in the Majors in 2022 with the Athletics. Garcia hit .207 with five home runs and 20 RBI in 39 games. Last season, Garcia hit .263 with 22 home runs and 63 RBI for the Athletics AAA organization.
RHP Samuel Reyes
A 27-year-old right-handed pitcher, Samuel Reyes has spent his career in the minor leagues and reached AAA in the 2023 season. While making most of his appearances out of the bullpen, Reyes made five starts down the stretch last season and was effective. In AAA, Samuel recorded a 3.86 ERA across 28 innings pitched.
RHP Ty Tice
Signed to a minor league contract on December 18, Ty Tice is a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher. Tice has pitched just eight career Major League innings. Expect Tice to begin the season in AAA Rochester.
1B Juan Yepez
Yepez, who will be 26 next season, had a solid rookie season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022, hitting .253 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI in just 76 games. He struggled in 2023, compiling a .183 average, four home runs, and 20 RBI. The Nationals hope to help Yepez reclaim some of his success during his rookie season and potentially fight for time at First Base in the Spring.
Key Subtractions
1B Dominic Smith
It is official; the Dominic Smith experiment failed. The intention of signing Smith to a one-year deal was for Dominic to be an impactful middle-of-the-lineup bat. Smith produced experimental OPS below .700, 12 home runs, and 46 RBI. Smith falls under the category; "40-man roster casualty", meaning that Smith was cut to protect prized minor leaguers from the Rule-5 Draft.
Nationals Top-30 prospects Zach Brzycky, Mitchell Parker, DJ Herz, and Cole Henry were protected from this year's Rule-5 Draft. Most Nats fans would agree that keeping these players from the Rule-5 Draft is far more valuable than retaining Smith.
RP Corey Abbott
Relief pitcher Corey Abbott struggled mightily in the 2023 season, pitching to a 6.64 ERA in 22 appearances for Washington. Abbott bounced between the Major League team and AAA Rochester throughout the season, making starts and relief appearances. Cory is best known by Nats' fans for his atrocious inning of work against Pittsburgh back on August 19, where Abbott allowed eight earned runs in just a single inning.
Abbott was designated for assignment on November 14 and elected free agency three days later, as he went unclaimed by the other 31 Major League teams. Cory, a former second-round pick, will look to find a new home this winter.
RP Carl Edwards Jr.
A nine-year veteran reliever, Edwards Jr. has been solid throughout his career, pitching to a 3.54 ERA across 295 appearances. Edwards Jr. had difficulty staying healthy in the 2023 season after a strong 2022 performance. Carl produced a 2.76 ERA in 63 appearances in his fully healthy 2022 campaign. In 2023, Carl threw just 31.2 innings and pitched to a 3.69 ERA.
What's Next?
Mike Rizzo needs to make a splash as he did years ago with OF Jayson Werth, a key veteran signing who jumpstarted the franchise rebuild. Werth was an impactful player for the Phillies, and Rizzo offered a healthy contract to the star to lead a rebuilding team. Rizzo could do the same this offseason.
Rhys Hoskins, ironically a former Phillie, is available on the free agent market. Before losing his 2023 season due to an ACL tear, Rhys hit a walk-off home run during Philadelhpia's 2022 playoff run. Hoskins would be inclined to take a deal with guaranteed playing time to prove he's capable of performing well post-surgery.
It's not a bold prediction to say the Nats won't sign Hoskins. But it's no secret that Washington lacks a power bat in the middle of their lineup. Hoskins fits the mold of what the Nats have been missing. The trend of the Nationals offseason says they won't shovel the money for Hoskins. Let's see if Mike Rizzo reverses the trend.