Washington Nationals: predicting 30-man roster in latest proposal
If baseball returns this summer one proposed change would be to allow teams 30-man rosters. Here is a projection of how the Washington Nationals team will look.
All the cards are on the table and the two sides must now agree if baseball is going to be played this summer. One of the proposed changes in the shortened season would call for teams to have 30-man rosters. This bodes very well for the Washington Nationals, who return as World Series Champions.
The Nationals were one of baseball’s oldest teams last year and they brought back a lot of the veteran guys to help defend the title. Roster expansion is great to protect from injury, though for the sake of resting old bodies, it’s even better for the Nats.
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When (if) the teams take the field on July 1st, here is what the Nationals 30-man roster could look like.
Starting Pitchers
Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, Anibal Sanchez, Joe Ross, Austin Voth
This is the bread and butter of the team right here. Each one of the top five had a memorable outing in the 2019 postseason. Keeping the arms healthy will be a big part of how the Nationals season goes, so don’t be surprised to see the team start with a six-man rotation early on until the arms are back into early season form. Had there been a competition for the fifth starter on a 25-man roster it would have been between Ross and Voth. With expanded rosters, they both make the team easily without pressure from anyone else in the Nats system.
Relievers
Sean Doolittle, Will Harris, Daniel Hudson, Tanner Rainey, Wander Suero, Roenis Elias, Erik Fedde, Ryne Harper, Javy Guerra
The anticipation is mounting for the three-headed monster out of the bullpen. Doolittle, Harris, and Hudson can each close and will be called upon to lockdown opposing hitters when games are close and late. Rainey has gained Manager Dave Martinez’s trust and could one day work himself into a closer roll. Suero was a workhorse last year and has been erratic at times. Not being overused this year will help with his numbers. Harper was acquired in an offseason trade and looks to get his feet wet with his new team. Guerra pitched for the Nationals last year as a midseason pickup and is a non-roster invitee. A move to the 40-man roster will have to take place to get him on the active roster.
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Infielders
Eric Thames, Ryan Zimmerman, Howie Kendrick, Asdrubal Cabrera, Starlin Castro, Trea Turner, Carter Kieboom
This is where the Washington Nationals will get the benefit of expanded rosters, resting the legs of the old men around the diamond. Thames should get the bulk of the starts at first base while Zimmerman serves as a backup. Castro starts at second base and is spelled by Cabrera when needed. Turner handles shortstop and Kieboom gets the first crack at third base with Cabrera getting a few starts there as well. Kendrick is strictly the designated hitter. This means the end of the line for Wilmer Difo. The Nats find a trade partner for him before play begins as well as he is out of options.
Outfielders
Juan Soto, Victor Robles, Adam Eaton, Michael A. Taylor, Andrew Stevenson
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Soto, Robles, and Eaton start across the board as the Washington Nationals feature one of the best outfields in baseball. I still think the Nationals try to sell high on Taylor as he is expendable. I wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t traded at some point after the roster freeze is taken off. If he is moved, Yadiel Hernandez is a power hitter who would surely get first dibs at the roster spot. Stevenson is a former second-round pick who hit .316 at AAA, and .367 in limited time with the Nationals last year.
Catchers
Yan Gomes, Kurt Suzuki, Wellington Castillo
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Gomes and Suzuki will platoon like they were supposed to do last year until Gomes failed to hold up his end of the deal. Castillo is a non-roster invitee and is a veteran presence behind the plate. The Nationals have four catchers on their 40-man roster though I don’t see Tres Barrera getting used as a third catcher while Raudy Read‘s days with the team appear numbered. He is a roster casualty when Castillo gets added to the active roster.