Three moves for Washington Nationals this offseason
There was plenty of reason to be optimistic about the Washington Nationals heading into the 2021 season. While they struggled in the pandemic shortened 2020 campaign, this was essentially the same team that had won the World Series in 2019. While nothing was certain, there was reason for hope.
Instead, the season fell apart. The Nationals made a slight run at the beginning of the year only to quickly fall by the wayside. One firesale later, and they finished dead last in the NL East. So much for that promising season.
Three moves for Washington Nationals
It may not take much for the Nationals to be ready to contend once again. A few moves could be all that it takes for Washington to once again find themselves amongst the best teams in the National League, fighting for the division and a championship.
Let’s take a look at three moves for the Washington Nationals this offseason.
Build around Juan Soto
At this point, the Washington Nationals are Juan Soto‘s team. It is time they officially make that the case.
While Soto has been on record saying that he does not expect to sign a long term extension to stay in Washington, ownership needs to make that happen. He has become one of the best players in the game, a viable five tool outfielder who could be the key to the Nationals lineup for the next decade. He is literally the modern day Barry Bonds, only without any PED allegations.
At this point, any negotiations for an extension should just involve handing Soto and his representatives a blank check and asking them to fill it out. He is worth any amount that he and his representatives would ask for, and the Nationals need to make sure that he gets paid in Washington.
The Washington Nationals have to build their team around Juan Soto. Signing him to a long term extension would be the first step.
Bring back Max Scherzer
It is clear that there is a great deal of love between Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals.
Juan Soto had traveled to the Dodgers’ Wild Card Game, celebrating with Scherzer after Los Angeles advanced. The former Nationals’ ace had indicated that he would not waive his no trade rights unless he received an extension, but later agreed to be dealt to a team on the west coast. Given the back and forth between the Padres and Dodgers for his services, one could imagine Scherzer sitting in general manager Mike Rizzo’s office while listening to those talks.
Scherzer had a great run in Washington. He won a championship and further burnished his Hall of Fame credentials. Although the miles are adding up, he is still a bona fide ace who is not showing any signs of slowing down.
Bringing him back as their ace would add some certainty to the rotation. Although Stephen Strasburg is expected to be healthy for 2022, that is never anything that a team wants to count on. Patrick Corbin was an outright disaster. Scherzer would fix a lot of issues.
If the Washington Nationals hope to contend in 2022, they need to find another ace. It makes sense to bring Max Scherzer back to finish out his career in Washington.
Fix the bullpen
The Washington Nationals have not been able to construct a bullpen in the offseason. Their relief corps in 2019 was a complete disaster, but they were able to remake the bullpen on the fly and turn a collection of castoffs into a formidable group over the second half of the season.
The Nationals found themselves in the same situation in 2020 and 2021. However, they were unable to replicate that success over the past two years. It has not been from a lack of trying, as the Nationals have been doing whatever they can to put a respectable bullpen together.
Once again, the Nationals will head into this offseason with the same task – fixing the bullpen. They clearly cannot expect to catch lightning in a bottle over and over again, with the 2019 season a clear anomaly.
Obviously, the Nationals will have plenty of competition. Several other teams need to completely overhaul their bullpen as well. Washington will not be able to scoop up every reliever it needs in order to get back to contention. But adding the right pieces will go a long way towards making that happen.
Next. Door open for Zimmerman to return. dark
The Washington Nationals have had bullpen issues for years. It is time that they solve those problems once and for all.