Dave Martinez already broke new ground in Nationals’ managerial history by winning the World Series in 2019, but in 2021, he will again traverse new territory previously untrod by Nats’ managers: a fourth season on the job. Davey Johnson won Manager of the Year in 2012, Matt Williams won the award in 2014, and Dusty Baker became the first Nats’ manager to win back-to-back NL East titles in 2016 and 2017, but each of Martinez’s predecessors were let go before a fourth campaign (or third in the case of Williams and Baker).
Martinez figures to blow well past the three-year record previously held by Johnson, Jim Riggleman and Manny Acta. Martinez was given a contract extension last year, freeing him to take the long view in the development of his young players, including superstar Juan Soto, writes Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post. The Nationals – reactionary to disappointing playoff losses in the past – seem to have a new view under Martinez, weathering a difficult 2020 without missing a beat. They’ll enter 2021 expecting to contend, and Martinez will look to check another box off his list by winning an NL East title.
Part of his forward-thinking approach is mulling new ways to maximize production from his superstars Soto and Trea Turner. This season, the question is whether or not to move Turner from the leadoff spot, writes Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com. The Nationals don’t necessarily have another prime candidate to step into the top spot of the lineup, however. Martinez would like to try Victor Robles at the top of the order against southpaws, writes Zuckerman. Beyond a small sample size of success leading off, Robles has done little to prove himself a natural candidate as a table-setter. He owns a 5.3 percent career walk rate and a 36.7 percent first pitch swing percentage – a good deal more aggressive than the league average of 28.3 percent.
Viewing Turner as a middle-of-the-order bat is sound, however. Though he’s mostly known for being one of the fastest players in the game, Turner’s bat carries serious thunder: Turner boasts a .216 ISO and 130 wRC+ over the past two seasons. He’s performed 18 percent better than average with the bat for his career. Turner has largely been underrated in part because his most impressive performances have come in seasons cut short either because of a late promotion (2016), injury (2019) or the pandemic (2020). It was his return from injury that largely prompted the Nationals magical run in 2019, however, as Turner famously returned in May to hit .296/.352/.487 despite a broken finger. The Nationals are relying heavily on Turner to be the offensive superstar he was in 2020, when he was on pace for a 7+ fWAR season at a 162-game pace.
TC, 2020 has already happened sir. First paragraph “but in 2020 he will traverse new territory.” Wouldn’t be a TC article without all sorts of typos and errors!!!
Also “thee-year” instead of “three-year” in the first sentence of the second paragraph. I’m sure there are more, there always are in TC’s articles.
Wow, this is the first time I’ve ever seen Zencka (or somebody) actually go back and correct the mistakes. Glad I’m not the only one to notice these consistent issues with factual errors/blatant typos in Zencka’s articles.
Please proof read…
They crank out dozens of articles a day mistakes happen grow up
vs RHP, lineup could start with Schwarber, Turner, Soto, Bell. I know Schwarber K’s a lot, but he also walks a fair amount. If he can revert back to pre-2020 OBP (.~350), he could be a decent option there. Ideally Robles is able to raise his OBP and be the lead-off guy, but so far hasn’t been able to walk at all.
For what this is worth, Schwarbs really struggled batting lead off for the Cubs under Joe Maddon.
Robles and Kieboom need to take step ups. Also the Nats did not care about 2020 because the got players that were good in 19. We need to battle for a 2nd WC. Hopefully Max, Stephen, and Corbin lead the way like 2019. Soto for MVP
Nats should extend Trea now and worry about Soto in a year or two
Trea is going to be the magic 8 ball. if he walks, its basically the organization saying it’s time for a rebuild. If that happenes, may as well trade Soto to jump start the rebuild.
That being said, hopefully TT gets his contract and thr Nats can find some pitching to replace Max when the time comes.
Trade Soto am druling of the thought of him playing for the yankees i know its a dream but gash the numbers he could put up at yankee stadium could be video game like.
I wouldn’t like that, I don’t like the Yankees and soto is my favourite player.
Are you out of your god damn mind! I think Trea is important but if they do what they do and get a good pitcher there good. Remember they just signed Armando Cruz. Also you never trade a player like Soto who is compared to TED WILLIAMS!
Babe Ruth was traded. Tris Speaker was traded. Being compared to someone does not make you untradeable.
They need to lock up soto. He’s a top 5 mlb player.
I agree but Turner first. Soto can wait. Multiple big contracts will be up when he is about to hit FA
I think Soto is the best pure hitter in the MLB. When it comes to hitting, there’s almost nothing he’s bad at. He walks a whole bunch, he doesn’t strikeout often, hits for average and is an easy 30 home runs/doubles guy.
I’m sure I’ll get some flak over this statement, but if I could have any shortstop in mlb, this guy would be at the top of my list. He just does everything offensively that you want- hit tool, power, speed, pitch recognition, etc. And defensively he is solid. What’s not to like?
I don’t get why you would get flak. Lindor has been comparable to him since late 2019. Tatis has yet to play a full season and does not have the discipline also was trerible in the 2nd month. Bogaerts is trash at defense. Story is the only guy I would pick over him. As a Nat fan I would want Trea
Story over Turner? I dunno about that one. Look at Story’s career numbers away from Coors Field. I understand that many players perform better at home, but those are some pretty big splits. I still really like Story, but I’m taking Turner over him all day.
Soto isn’t going anywhere. He will be there for life.
He might, but Boras isn’t gonna sign him to a long-term, pre-arb. My bet is he tests the market, and makes a million dollars elsewhere.
TC’s prose is hard to read for a variety of reasons. It’s always good to realize that this is a mostly free sports blog and we all take grammatical liberties in the comments. No harm done. That latitude can extend to the paid staff, but raising their bar is also a valid option.
I’d come down on the side that says ‘your customers have noticed, so action is appropriate’
Hey just saw some corrections. Good on ya mate. Keep up the good work