MLB: Designated Hitter Options for the NL East
By Mark Howe
The contract the Washington Nationals entered into with Jayson Werth to start the 2011 season necessitates keeping his bat in the lineup. He’s not yet a total defensive liability, but Father Time eventually takes everyone’s skills; Werth is no exception.
Werth understands what needs to be done here, and in interleague games so far in 2016 he’s handled the role as well as anyone. Nats manager Dusty Baker uses the DH to give players breaks when he can now; going forward Werth will be his best option.
Another option for the Nationals is Ryan Zimmerman, who splits time between third on occasion, but gets most of his playing time at first base. He’s not the third baseman he once was, and the Nats keep his bat in the lineup at first base; a position he’s had to learn on the fly. Steven Drew, listed on the roster at three different positions, could also gain some at-bats there while he ages.
Really, the Nationals could use a DH this season, with the clock ticking down toward the Bryce Harper lotto-sweepstakes. If Harper signs elsewhere, the Nationals won’t lack for pop, but they’ll need a DH to get the most mileage of those they have left.
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