Washington Nationals: Ranking the Positions of Need
By Nick Meyers
5. Second Base
The Nationals have a couple of options at Second Base, but none of them are all that convincing at the moment.
The incumbent is, of course, Luis Garcia who has been with the team off and on for the past four seasons now. Garcia struggled mightily in 2023 prior to a surprising demotion to AAA Rochester in early August. It later came out that the Nationals had issues with Garcia's focus and preparation, which puts his future with the team in doubt. Nevertheless, he is still on the roster and penciled into a starting spot.
The other options are even less convincing than Garica. Nasim Nuñez was recently selected in the Rule 5 Draft, but projects more as a back-up, defensive replacement and pinch runner than an everyday guy. Beyond that you have to venture to the Minor Leagues, where Trey Lipscomb is likely the top option but might not be ready just yet.
Second Base is not the most pressing need at the moment, but this time next season it arguably could be. They likely won't address it this year, so it comes in at 5 in our rankings.
Possible Fits: Whit Merrifield, Jonathan Schoop, Kolten Wong