Team report: Nationals hope to ride star power to October
About this series: Sports Weekly takes an in-depth look at each major league organization during the offseason, from the major leagues to the farm system. We start with teams with the worst records and move up. (First printed Feb. 1)
The Washington Nationals took heat in baseball circles, the news media and among their fan base for trading two top pitching prospects (Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez) and a third young arm (Dane Dunning) in December. Regardless of whether the move comes back to burn the Nationals, this aggressive play to acquire high-energy outfielder Adam Eaton indicates a team that is going for it. The move also could give the Nationals more financial flexibility for future teams that might not include Bryce Harper. Paste BN Sports’ Stephen Borelli sizes up the team. (*Denotes prospect)
MLB team report: Washington Nationals
Catcher
For the first time since 2011, the Nationals will have a new starting catcher after Wilson Ramos signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. As of press time, the Nationals planned to open camp with Derek Norris as the starter. The Nationals initially drafted Norris but dealt him to the Oakland Athletics in the Gio Gonzalez deal in 2011. Norris hit .186 despite 14 home runs last season for the San Diego Padres and is inferior to Ramos defensively when Ramos is healthy. However, the Nationals like the offensive and defensive ceiling of Pedro Severino, 23, who eventually could replace Norris as the starter later this season or next but has two minor league options in the meantime. Jose Lobaton has proved to be a quality backup the last three seasons. Depth chart: Norris, Lobaton, *Severino, Jhonatan Solano, *Spencer Kieboom, *Raudy Read
First base
Ryan Zimmerman played his most games (115) since 2013 but also set career lows in batting average (.218) and on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.642). Assorted ailments, chiefly a balky throwing shoulder, have kept him from being a 145-game, near-100 RBI performer for several seasons, and the Nationals might be well-served to add depth at the position. But Zimmerman’s contract status (he is owed $46 million over the next three seasons) might limit the team from investing too much more money in this spot. Matt Skole, once a hot prospect, won a minor league Gold Glove in 2016 and has banged 44 home runs the last two seasons between Classes AA and AAA and, at 27, might be a backup option. Depth chart: Zimmerman, Clint Robinson, Daniel Murphy, Skole, *Jose Marmolejos
Second base
Daniel Murphy was everything the Nationals hoped for and more when they signed him to a three-year, $37.5 million deal last offseason as he obliterated his career highs for batting average, home runs and RBI and finished second in the National League MVP voting. The Nationals have strong depth, as they re-signed Stephen Drew, who has hit .283 with five home runs in 60 career at-bats as a pinch-hitter. Wilmer Difo, 24, has similar versatility and has the potential to be an everyday player down the line. Depth chart: Murphy, Drew, *Difo, Trea Turner, Corban Joseph, Emmanuel Burris
Third base
The Nationals pride themselves on defensive versatility, especially in the infield, where they have several players who can man multiple positions. Anthony Rendon, 26, an All-Star-caliber player, has been an everyday guy at both third and second base. Murphy has played more than 200 big-league games at first and could sub for Zimmerman or spell Rendon at third. Turner can play shortstop or second base, while Drew and Difo have the ability to be adequate temporary fill-ins at second, third or short. Depth chart: Rendon, Drew, *Difo, Murphy, Skole, Brandon Snyder, *Drew Ward
Shortstop
The athletic and versatile Turner invigorated the Nationals after a July recall, settling in as a flashy center fielder and helping to spearhead the offense with speed and power from the leadoff position. With the acquisition of Eaton, Turner, 22, slides back to what the Nationals feel is his natural position. The Nationals have strong depth here from the low to middle levels of the minor leagues, including 2016 first-round pick Carter Kieboom, 19, who is Spencer’s brother. Depth chart: Turner, Difo, Drew, Emmanuel Burriss, *Osvaldo Abreu, *Edwin Lora, *Carter Kieboom
Left field
Jayson Werth’s seven-year, $126 million contract expires after this season. While Werth has struggled with Washington, he has proved to be a clutch performer. He had a number of key hits last season, and his veteran presence meshed well with the Nationals’ younger core. The Nationals re-signed Chris Heisey for insurance and power off the bench, but Michael Taylor is the likely candidate to replace Werth, 37, should he miss extended time. The Nationals are still high on Taylor’s tools — power, speed and elite defense — but he has managed a .281 on-base percentage and has struck out 252 times in 231 career games. Depth chart: Werth, Chris Heisey, *Taylor, *Brian Goodwin, Clint Robinson, *Andrew Stevenson, *Rafael Bautista
Center field
Eaton gives the Nationals’ outfield defense flexibility. He has proved to be a better defender in right field than center but could move back there if Harper leaves via free agency after the 2018 season. If that happens, Taylor or top prospect Victor Robles are options to slide into the center-field spot. Eaton is 28, and the Nationals think he is still getting better. Eaton also has speed, a career .357 on-base percentage and power. He gives the Nationals financial flexibility, too, as he is owed about $18.4 million over the next three seasons and has two team options totaling $20 million for the two after that. Depth chart: Eaton, Harper, *Taylor, Heisey, *Goodwin, *Bautista, *Stevenson, *Robles, *Blake Perkins
Right field
General manager Mike Rizzo has insisted Harper was healthy last season and has, to some extent, shrugged off the 2015 NL MVP’s drop-off in average (by more than 80 points) and OPS (by nearly .300). Harper was still a productive player in 2016 and set a career high with 21 steals. Teams around the league are still likely to pitch around him, giving other Nationals hitters more good pitchers to hit. Harper is also one of several athletic options the Nationals can use at all three outfield spots. Depth chart: Harper, Heisey, Taylor, Goodwin, Robinson, *Bautista, *Stevenson
Starting pitchers
The Nationals return a rotation that produced the second-best ERA (3.60) to that of the Chicago Cubs, fronted by ace Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg expects to be healthy for spring training, but durability remains a potential worry after elbow issues curtailed his season in August. Tanner Roark emerged as a formidable No.3 and, after Gio Gonzalez and Joe Ross, prospects A.J. Cole, Austin Voth and Erick Fedde offer depth. The Nationals’ best wave of pitching could be in Class A ball and below in right-hander Joan Baez and left-handers Tyler Watson and Jesus Luzardo. Depth chart: RHP Scherzer, RHP Strasburg, RHP Roark, LHP Gonzalez, RHP Ross, *RHP Cole, *RHP Voth, *RHP Fedde, RHP Jacob Turner, RHP Kyle McGowin
Bullpen
The Nationals lost Mark Melancon to free agency. While no more elite closers remain on the market, the Nationals have the prospect depth to deal for an established replacement in the offseason or during the season if there is a taker. Washington is looking at a collection of in-house options for the closer and setup roles. Shawn Kelley, who has struck out 12.4 hitters per nine innings in an eight-year big-league career, is the most experienced of the group but has 11career saves. Blake Treinen and Sammy Solis are reliable late-inning relief options, while prospect Koda Glover, 23, could grow into a high-pressure role. Jimmy Cordero, 25, was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies and is another hard thrower, as is Austin Adams, who has a plus slider. Adams was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels along with McGowin in the trade for infielder Danny Espinosa. Depth chart: RHP Kelley, RHP Treinen, LHP Solis, RHP Glover, LHP Oliver Perez , RHP Trevor Gott, RHP Adams, RHP Cordero, *RHP Cole
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Offseason outlook
Minus closer Mark Melancon, the Nationals return a similar team to the one that nearly broke through vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series. Adam Eaton makes the offense better; acquiring more relief help and/or a catcher could still be on the agenda.
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Top five prospects
Excerpted from BaseballHQ.com’s 2017 Minor League Baseball Analyst. To order: Baseballhq.com/mlba2017:
1. Victor Robles, OF: Premium athleticism meets advanced plate approach and keen baseball instincts. A fluid, loose swing drives Robles’ exceptional hit tool and growing power, electric speed (37 steals) and highlight-level defense. The 19-year-old likely will start 2017 in high Class A.
2. Juan Soto, OF: A top international signee in 2015, Soto, 18, raked through rookie ball. He has strong hands and uses the whole field. His power is emerging, but his hit tool (.368 in 190 at-bats) is the story. Average defense will limit him to an outfield corner.
3. Erick Fedde, RHP: A 2014 first-round pick, Fedde regained strength and velocity as he recovered from 2014 Tommy John elbow surgery. The 23-year-old showcases a lively mid-90s fastball and hard slider that get swings and misses (123 strikeouts in 121 innings). He owns a classic pitcher’s frame (6-4, 180 pounds) and will begin at Class AA.
4. Carter Kieboom, SS: Lean and athletic, Kieboom, 19, has good bat speed and is more selective than he showed in his pro debut. Observers are split on his future defensive role, as added bulk could push him to third base. He will report to Class A.
5. Andrew Stevenson, OF: Stevenson, 22, is a possible future top-of-the-order hitter. He hits hard grounders, uses the middle of the field and has speed (39steals in 2016). With added lower-half strength, he could become a gap hitter. Stevenson, who has an excellent center-field glove, will start at Class AA.
Brent Hershey