With free agency in full swing, the Washington Nationals are one of many teams pursuing upgrades. While there are obvious areas of need and a number of players to fill the voids, it isn’t likely that the Nationals will spend top dollar. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t be active this winter. Here is a look at who the Nationals will be able to bring to the nation’s capital.
Washington Nationals 2016 Offseason Predictions
Matt Wieters
Catcher Wilson Ramos will hit free agency and is recovering from a torn ACL; he has probably played his final game as a National. As a result, the Nationals will likely turn their attention to Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters as his replacement. Wieters, a two-way catcher, is great behind the backstop and is a power bat. However, he comes with some baggage. Wieters hasn’t been able to stay on the field due to injuries in years past, but he did play a decent amount of games last year. Though 124 doesn’t seem like much, it was the most games he played in a single season since 2013.
With Wieters trending in the right direction, the Nationals will call and look to lock the lefty bat up on a long term deal. Considering the fact that catchers don’t hit the free agent market often, Wieters will command a lucrative contract. The Nationals were in pursuit of Wieters a year ago, but he then accepted his qualifying offer to remain in Baltimore for a year. They won’t fail this time. Expect the two sides to a agree on a five-year, $80 million deal. While he will provide a steady two presence at catcher, Wieters will also make the Nationals lineup more balanced, as would Chicago Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler.
Dexter Fowler
Fowler will be hitting the market for the second-straight year. After a solid bounce back season, he will be a hot commodity. Fowler is a switch hitter, is capable of getting on base, has good speed, and is a solid defensive outfielder. He can provide balance to any lineup, and is a great get for any team.
While a bevy of clubs will pursue him, the Nationals should be looked at as frontrunners. They’re in need of a center fielder, and while they could opt to go after Yoenis Cespedes, or even Carlos Gonzalez via trade, their price tags will be too high for the Nationals. Fowler and the Nationals are a great match; expect the two sides to agree to a three-year, $51 million deal. In addition to finding a catcher and an outfielder, the Nationals will prioritize upgrading their bullpen.
Greg Holland
While this offseason is a reliever heavy free agent market, the Nationals are unlikely to lure any top tier relievers. Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman are seeking mega deals and teams like the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers desperately need a closer. They will be willing to fork over more money then the Nationals will. Current Nationals closer Mark Melancon is another high profile guy available, and he will also be overpaid by a team starving for relief help. As a result, the Nationals will turn to former Kansas City Royals reliever Greg Holland.
Holland missed all of 2016 with an injury, but before his injury he was arguably the game’s best closer. Blowing only five saves and recording ERAs under 1.45 in 2013 and 2014, Holland was among the elite relievers in all of baseball. He will be pursued by a bunch of teams because of his success in years past, so the Nationals won’t be able to just sign him on the cheap. With that in mind, expect Holland and the Nationals to agree to a one-year, $11 million deal for him to take the reins as closer. Holland could prove to be a steal for the Nationals, but just to play it safe the Nationals will also pursue a lockdown reliever on the trade market.
Wade Davis
At last year’s trade deadline, the Nationals nearly acquired Royals reliever Wade Davis, and they will likely try to revamp those trade talks. Davis is one of the three best relievers in all of baseball. He pitches in save and setup positions interchangeably, much like Cleveland Indians reliever Andrew Miller. Davis has been the definition of lethal; he has recorded ERAs under two in the last three seasons, including two years with and ERA at or below one. He has also proved to be a postseason presence. Davis pitched 10.1 innings in the 2015 postseason and didn’t sacrifice a single run.
Davis is an elite reliever, and the Nationals will have to put together a nice package to convince the Royals to pull the trigger on a deal. However, with Davis hitting the open market in a year, the Nationals won’t have it give up a kings ransom. Expect the Nats to put together a deal centered around infielders Danny Espinosa and Wilmer Difo, and pitching prospect Erick Fedde to land the lethal Davis.
For the Nationals, this offseason is about retaining their powerhouse reputation. They need to find a guy to put behind the backstop and a two-way outfielder, and they need to make their bullpen even stronger. Expect the Nationals to sign Matt Wieters, Dexter Fowler, and Greg Holland, and trade for Wade Davis.
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