Call to the pen
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Washington Nationals 2017 Team Preview

By Anthony Sosa

Oct 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (12) stands during the national anthem before game one of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series between the Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (12) stands during the national anthem before game one of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series between the Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

The Nationals’ Offseason Additions

Throughout the offseason, the Nationals stayed busy upgrading the team. They were active during the Winter Meetings and they also struck deals as recently as February.

Outfielder:

One of the more surprising moves during the Winter Meetings was the White Sox trading outfielder Adam Eaton to the Nationals for pitching prospects Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning.

Many questioned if Eaton’s value matched the prospects’ worth. MLB.com’s top 100 ranks Giolito No. 11 and Lopez No. 46. But the Nationals did receive one of the most underrated players in the game in Eaton.

Last season, Eaton hit .284/.362/.428 with 14 home runs, 59 RBI, 91 runs, 14 stolen bases and nine triples. He’ll provide the Nationals with great speed on the bases and a scrappy leadoff presence. He also plays well defensively in center field. His dWAR on baseball-reference.com reached 1.8 last season. His overall bWAR sat at 4.1 in 2016.

Catcher:

At the beginning of the offseason, Washington traded for catcher Derek Norris. As the offseason continued the Nationals decided to make another deal for a catcher. In February, the Nationals signed free agent catcher Matt Wieters to a one-year, $10.5 million deal with a player option in 2018.

The Wieters deal resulted in the Nationals placing Norris on waivers and then releasing him on Wednesday.

More than likely, Wieters will handle the catcher’s duties for the Nationals in 2017. He missed a majority of the 2014 and 2015 seasons because of Tommy John surgery.

In 2016, Wieters played in 124 games for the Baltimore Orioles. He hit .243/.302/.409 with 17 home runs, 66 RBI and 48 runs. Wieters spent his first eight seasons in Baltimore, so the 2017 season in Washinton might provide a nice change of scenery for him.

Utility Backup/Pinch Hitter:

Also in February, the Nationals signed veteran left fielder and first baseman Adam Lind to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with a 2018 mutual option. As a left-handed bat, Washington can use Lind off the bench in pinch-hit scenarios or platoon him at first with Ryan Zimmerman.

Lind played in 126 games for the Seattle Mariners in 2016. He hit 20 home runs and drove in 58 runs last season. His slash line was .239/286/.431. He also hit 20 home runs in the previous season for the Milwaukee Brewers. He probably won’t see much starting time in 2017, but he’ll provide the Nationals with a powerful bat off the bench.

Relief Pitcher:

An underrated signing for the Nationals was pitcher Joe Blanton. They signed him to a one-year, $4 million deal. With the Dodgers in 2016, Blanton found success out of the pen.

His numbers in 2016 included a 2.48 ERA, 80 strikeouts and just a .194 opponent’s average against. The Nationals remain without a true closer, but Blanton adds depth to an already good bullpen.

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