Washington Nationals
RHP, Daniel Hudson
Like a few teams this offseason, the Nationals desperately need a third baseman. However, I already have the Braves landing Donaldson, which leaves the third-base market extremely thin, though there are a few options left if Washington is interested in bringing in a veteran guy to perhaps provide guidance for top prospect infielder Carter Kieboom.
I see them going a different route, though, as the Nationals also need more relief pitching, being that its bullpen was one of the worst units in the majors in 2019 (21st in bullpen WAR). The defending champs surely don’t want the same relief issues as last season, a year in which its bullpen posted an unsightly 5.68 ERA — a mark only better than the Orioles.
So why let one of the team’s better relievers go? The Nationals traded for Hudson at the deadline in 2019 and he went on to post a 1.44 ERA in 24 relief appearances down the stretch for the World Series champions, maintaining a stingy walk rate (1.4 BB/9). If the team can’t improve its third base situation from the free-agent market, reinforcing the bullpen seems like the Nats’ best option.
Contract Prediction: 2 years, $8 million