Washington Nationals: Another possible entrant to first base mix
The Washington Nationals need to upgrade at first base in 2021. Meanwhile, former first baseman Ryan Zimmerman has indicated a desire to return.
No one could blame Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman for his decision to sit out the 2020 season. The pandemic had continued to rage without an end in sight. Zimmerman needed to do what he felt was best for himself and his family, which was to stay away from the diamond.
But that was last year. Now Zimmerman is hoping to return for the 2021 season and is looking to return to the only franchise he has ever known.
Heard from Ryan Zimmerman, who confirmed what Mike Rizzo indicated the other day: He’d like to play in ‘21. No idea about timing of a deal or if things will work out, but after opting out of ‘20, Zimmerman hit in the cage for the first time today. Will ramp it up in coming weeks.
— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) December 18, 2020
Hypothetically, Zimmerman’s return could be a boost for the Nationals. The team is in desperate need of a first baseman, especially after the position combined to produce a .233/.305/.397 batting line with 11 homers. Their -0.7 fWAR was the second worst in the majors, ahead of only the Rangers.
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The current depth chart does not promise to be much better. The Nationals currently do not have anyone listed at first base on the depth chart, nor on their 40 man roster. Jake Noll played all of four games at the position in 2020, and Yasmany Tomas could get a long look, but this is clearly an area of need.
Zimmerman may not be much of an upgrade at this stage of his career either. He missed three months of the 2019 campaign, and has appeared in over 120 games just once in the past five years. His .257/.321/.415 batting line with six homers and nine doubles in 190 plate appearances was not exactly stellar either.
But the fact remains that he would be a relatively low cost option at first. It is highly unlikely that he would be looking at more than a one year deal, especially given his health issues and age. Zimmerman could be a piece of the puzzle, but he is not the solution that the Nationals need.
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The Washington Nationals need a first baseman and Ryan Zimmerman wants to return. Although the Nationals proved that they could do worse, he is not the answer either.