2020 MLB season: Biggest risks in the NL East

Philadelphia Phillies: Signing Zack Wheeler

Speaking of guys who can be elite when healthy, the Phillies gained a much-needed starting
pitcher to compliment Aaron Nola. In early December, the Phillies signed Zack Wheeler to a 5-
yr, $118 million contract (first reported by Marc Carig from the Athletic). Wheeler has the stuff
to be an elite pitcher at the Major League level. However, he has struggled to stay healthy- only
reaching the threshold of 30 starts per season twice in his career (2014 and 2019).

From the $118 million offer, it is clear that the Phillies are signing Wheeler to be the pitcher they
hope he will be rather than the one he has been in the past. Naturally, there is a lot of risk in
signing a pitcher with as much injury-trouble as Wheeler has. However, if Wheeler can manage
to stay healthy during the 2020 MLB season and beyond, then he will make General Manager Matt Klentak look like a genius.

The Phillies obviously missed out on top-tier starting pitcher Gerrit Cole and could not even
entice 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels into returning to the City of Brotherly Love, so
their eggs are being placed largely in Wheeler’s basket during the 2020 MLB season.

Washington Nationals: Going Without an Elite Third-Basemen (Probably)

The question that has been on Nats fans’ minds since December 11 (when Anthony Rendon
agreed to a 7-yr, $245 million contract with the L.A. Angels) is undoubtedly: who will fill the
gap at third-base?

The reigning World Series champs have been linked to several third-base candidates this off-
season just as the division-rival Braves have. In addition to Josh Donaldson, the Nationals have
been linked to Kris Bryant and potentially even Nolan Arenado this winter. However, the
Nationals have a quite top-heavy farm system and are undoubtedly reluctant to deal away top
prospects such as Carter Kieboom and current talent such as Victor Robles or Juan Soto.

Now, as the end of the off-season approaches, it appears that the Nationals will look to newly
acquired infielders Starlin Castro and Asdrubal Cabrera to help fill the void left by Rendon.
These are solid additions at a low-cost, but it is undeniable that Rendon’s presence (both
offensively and defensively) was instrumental for the Nats and their title run in 2019.

Going without someone like Rendon or Donaldson at the hot corner is quite risky if the Nationals
truly want to compete for back-to-back World Series Titles. So as we enter into a new decade of
baseball, all eyes in the District turn towards what now must be described as “Rendon’s old spot” on the diamond