The Nationals had interest in switch-hitter Justin Smoak before Smoak signed with the Brewers last week, The Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty reports. With Smoak off the board, the Nats will continue to explore left-handed hitting options for both first base and their lineup as a whole, given their overall right-handed tilt. As Dougherty notes, it’s quite possible that the Nationals bring back Matt Adams as that lefty bat, and Adams will again team with Howie Kendrick and (the still-to-be-signed) Ryan Zimmerman in a timeshare at first base.
Kendrick is already back in the fold, rejoining the World Series champions on a one-year deal worth $6.25MM in guaranteed money ($4MM in 2020 salary, and either a $2.25MM buyout of a mutual option for 2021, or $6.5MM in 2021 if both sides exercise that option). The versatile Kendrick spent the majority of his time as a first baseman in 2019, though he also saw action at both second base and third base. Those other two infield positions are now in a state of flux, what with Anthony Rendon gone to the Angels and Brian Dozier and Asdrubal Cabrera currently free agents, so Washington could prefer to deploy Kendrick around the infield rather than commit him to a larger portion of the first base playing time.
Zimmerman, of course, is a free agent himself, though the longtime District stalwart has indicated that he will either return to the Nationals on a year-to-year basis or potentially retire. “Both he and the Nationals remain willing to negotiate a cheap, one-year contract,” Dougherty writes, and “about $4MM has been floated as a price the sides could agree on.”
It seems to be more or less just a matter of time before Zimmerman officially returns to the fold for his 16th season in a Nats jersey, and his presence likely indicates that D.C. will stick with a platoon situation at first base. The club “ultimately decided that the price was too high” for Smoak, whose one-year deal with Milwaukee is worth $5MM in guaranteed money. It wasn’t a hefty figure, though perhaps too much for a Nationals team that is looking for a platoon partner rather than more of a full-time option like Smoak.
Eric Thames, Mitch Moreland, Greg Bird, Logan Morrison, Brad Miller, and Neil Walker are a few of the left-handed or switch-hitting first base options on the open market, though Adams represents a known quantity for the Nats. Over 610 plate appearances since joining the Nationals in August 2018, Adams has hit 38 homers with a .240/.302/.485 slash line. Long a force against right-handed pitching, Adams’ numbers against righties dipped in everything but the slugging department last season, though Dougherty said that Adams was bothered with some shoulder problems. Washington declined its end of Adams’ $4MM mutual option for 2020, making the 31-year-old into a free agent.
If the Nationals can find a power bat at another position, Dougherty writes that the team could simply just go with Zimmerman and Kendrick as the all right-handed first base platoon, given Kendrick’s solid numbers against same-sided pitching. The Nats continue to be one of the favorites to land Josh Donaldson as their new everyday third baseman, and, should Donaldson sign elsewhere, there have also been whispers that D.C. could try to acquire Kris Bryant from the Cubs. Both Donaldson and Bryant are also right-handed bats, though with either of them playing third base, the Nationals could then explore adding a multi-positional left-handed bench bat, or one that could share time at second base with rookie Carter Kieboom or the switch-hitting Wilmer Difo.
*insert Braves fans talking about their teams needs*
Can someone throw me a life jacket, I’m drowning in Braves team needs talk over here..
I could care less. Donaldson’s going to the Nats and the Braves will miss the playoffs next season because their bullpen will inevitably underperform.
So what you are saying is you care. You should say that you couldn’t care less. It is a very common mistake. As Billy Joel said, don’t ask me why.
Who.
Time for Nats to save some money while seasons tickets deposits pile up
Howie Kendrick is a stud.
Kris Bryant will cost you four big time prospects.
Only if the acquiring team is able to negotiate a contract extension prior to finalizing the trade. If not then they won’t get that for 1 year of Bryant.
Two years. It would be a miracle if he won his grievance. Rules are rules.
There is no exemption for
“well it’s obvious he should
have been promoted right away.”
I think he’ll win his grievance.
I think he loses the grievance. Even so he is not bringing back 4 big time prospects with 2 years of control either
Agreed, it was supposed to be resolved several weeks ago. The fact that it is drawing out this long can only mean there is a serious debate going on. Not good for Chicago.
Nats could do it for one prospect and Robles. Cubs would get their CF they need and a pitching prospect like Rutledge, and Nats get a premier player.
You’re delusional. Nats aren’t letting Robles go.
I really hope cubs don’t flip Bryant for Robles. Their offense would be considerably worse and that would 100 percent eliminate any chance of signing casty. Cubs need to trade with Braves and Riley needs to be included. He wasn’t good last year but at least can park a few in between his strikeouts.
Why would the Nats trade Robles? They just won a WS with him and he forms an attractive and marketable duo with Soto.
He also has 5 years of control and was worth more bWAR than Bryant last year. And then there’s a question of who they replace Robles with in CF… Don’t see how they’d trade Robles, much less Robles + a prospect for Bryant. If the Nats were that desperate for 3B have to think they would’ve just thrown the money at Rendon instead of trading away their young CF.
Washington would get rid of Robles in a heartbeat for 2 years of Bryant. It is Soto who is untouchable.
Wrong.
They’re both untouchable. Robles is a monster – and Rizzo, the FO, and Davey know it. And you’re hearing this from a guy that a year ago said that 19 year-old Juan Soto was already a better all-around player then $300m man Bryce Harper.
22 year-old Robles is a true 5 tool player. Resembles Roberto Clemente at the same age so much that it’s uncanny.
False.
Buzzzzzz, wrong. Not giving up 5 years of either Soto or Robles for 2 years of Bryant
Clemente was a great hitter. Robles is a 20/20 guy. He doesn’t hit for a great average and rarely walks. The only thing propping up his on base percentage is getting hit by so many pitches. Maybe he could bunt a couple of times a week for hits. Failing that, I don’t see him being a .300 hitter.
Cubs could never get Robles for Bryant.
Cub fan here, Bryant will cost 3. 2 if he somehow wins his appeal.
3.2?
Braves have the prospects for Bryant, the Nats do not.
If the Nats did then Bryant would be their move.
Not until the Arbitration is decided
As a Braves fan, the nats have made all the right choices to bring a championship back to the fanbase while not spending stupid and retaining their core prospects. Letting Harper go and signing Corbin was the ticket, well done.
Some of the Braves decision-makers should take snotes on how to build a world series team/rotation.
@bigbadjohnny
Show me a comparable trade for a bat like Bryant with 2 or less years remaining that netted “4 big time prospects” in the last 10 years. “Big time prospects” to me, means top 100. Show me…
One MLB piece and one top 5 (within the organization) and maybe a PTBN
This sounds about right and there’s little to no chance that MLB piece would be Robles.
The Braves better sign all of them.
I’d highly consider Brad Miller. He finished the season with a power surge you wouldnt believe. Even his outs were loud and hard. Although he’s not much of an asset with the glove, he does have MLB innings at SS, 3B, 2B, OF in addition to 1B. It’s nice to have that depth, even if he most likely wont be used at SS and such. He was hot at the end of last year, maybe it will carry over. Was hoping the Phillies brought him back as he was a good clubhouse presence as well with that whole bamboo plant thing haha
Wil Myers and a couple of prospects… No prospects in return, just a little money. All upside! East coast guy!
Would be kind of fun to see him and Trea Turner in the same lineup.
Nats are gonna trade with the Pirates for Josh Bell
Who will they give up for him?
They are just going to give him to them.
How thoughtful of them!
Yes I get the fact that Matt Duffy is righthanded but why is he not getting anybody talking about him being available.
He is terrible
And often injured.
@Stanley
As a starter? Yes. In a utility role he’s solid.
Bryant can play 1B or the OF no problem. He isn’t that great defensively at 3B.
He’s actually quite good at 3B. Not gold glove caliber but certainly top 30-40%
Point was that all these teams looking for a solid stick should be open to moving Bryant because he is just as capable at those other positions as he is at 3B. I do think that if Bryant is actually traded it will be to the NL east. Mets, Nats, and Braves are all good fits.
The Phillies are a good fit too, but what about the payroll tax?
John Middleton has his priorities.
Come get Brandon Belt.
Please ?
Belt for David Price…done deal (if SF pays the difference of course).
Puff, puff, give.
Thames would be a great platoon option with Zim
Whomever the Nats get at 1B you can bet that defense will be a big part of the decision. Likewise should Donaldson choose to go elsewhere, A Solid defensive 3B to start the season would seem to be likely.
While not very sexy during the spring season, it leaves a lot of payroll flexibility during the trade deadline to allow Rizzo to go find what we need. And we all know how sexy those shiny new toys can be in the heat of July…
It would cost Nationals a bit, but Pirates Josh Bell is a switch hitting 1B. And he still has at least 4 years of control.
Love Bell. Would give up anyone but soto or turner to get him with 4 yrs.
Believe it or not defense matter too.
the other thing is how long would you have Bell’s services for. If you are talking about less than two full seasons he is worth a lot less. Retaining him longer under those conditions leaves you with a large payout to keep him and limits your other options severely.
I appreciate what Kendrick did for the Nats but $6 million is absurd. Had he not had the post season he would be lucky to get $1 million. Don’t understand how it happens every year.
His ops was around .900 before the playoffs.
.966!
Larry, that’s just crazy.
Kendrick was the absolute definition of clutch for the Nationals last year. He’s The Hitman (cue song by AB logic) look it up
@crazylarry
Larry, most have knicknames not reflective of who we are. You sir have earned your moniker in every shape and form. Dude hit .344/.395/.572 with some power and plate discipline and adequate defense at multiple positions, What is there to not like?
Swing and a miss, sir.
2.9 oWAR for 370 PA
Howie Kendrick playing 2b with Kieboom at 3b seems like the best offensive option at this point. Zimmerman and Adams can split 1b. Probably not ideal defensively but not many options available.
I am guessing they don’t get Donaldson.
Zimmerman:
Don’t want to wink at nobody,
don’t want to be winked at
Don’t want to be used by nobody
for a doormat
Actually, Howie is better at 3B now then 2B.
I think Thames is a good option at first if his price is reasonable as the left half of a platoon as he could also play a corner outfield in a pinch. I see him offering more than Adams. Zimmerman back for a farewell wave.
Agreed. Could take a minor league flyer on Greg Bird as well. We need a true infield swiss army knife as well. I’m going to cringe if I see Difo on this roster again.
Braves do have better Prospects to offer than the Nats……..Nats #1 guy would be the Braves #3 Prospect,
Of Course the Nats do not want Bryant…….they also did not want Harper……..and Rendon…
Dozier, Adam’s, Zimmerman and Cabrera all can come back on team friendly deals. That would give the Nats better room to work a deal for Donaldson and maybe Hudson as well for the pen.
Maybe the Nats and Cards can work out a deal for Martinez. The kid can use a everyday ABs and if Adams can hit 38hrs so could Jose.
I am a little surprised that the Nationals have not mentioned Drew Ward as a potential possibility at first or third next year. I don’t think he is quite ready yet but could be pretty good coming up in June.
Well I was kinda expecting some news by now But it looks like JD is going to give the Braves plenty of time to stew about that third year. Personally if i was AA I would let the Nats sign him and then deal for Arenando. Yea It’s a chunk of change long term and there is that nasty opt out opportunity, but he takes care of a key position long term and addresses the need for middle of the order Bat…
The Rockies are listening to these after to large degree to reduce payroll so the prospect price may not be that high. And the Nats willingness to go four years means they would be Saddled with the contract AA wanted to avoid.. It could be like Reggie going to the Yankmees after one year in Baltimore or Like Albert bell going anywhere after Cleveland