The Nationals are wrapping up a fifth straight losing season. They jumped the Marlins to get out of last place for the first time since their 2019 World Series, but there’s still a lot of work to be done to pull out of the rebuild.
Longtime general manager and baseball operations president Mike Rizzo chatted with MLB.com’s Bill Ladson this week. In response to a question about pursuing first base help in the offseason, the GM indicated he’d take a wider approach to acquiring offensive impact.
“I wouldn’t keyhole us at first base,” Rizzo told Ladson. “We need some offense. We need a couple of bats that can hit in the middle of the lineup and take the onus off some of these good young core players and assist them in the run creation of our offense. We have the core players to be middle-of-the-lineup hitters. If we add a bat or two into that group, it takes a little bit of pressure off everybody and everybody can relax a little bit more and develop into the players we think they are going to be.”
Rizzo predictably didn’t identify specific targets, but mentioning a middle-of-the-order bat naturally leads to speculation about the market’s top free agent. Last week, MLBTR’s Steve Adams explored the notion of Washington making a run at bringing back Juan Soto. There’s enough long-term payroll flexibility to make that a possibility, albeit a long shot. Having future payroll space doesn’t necessarily mean ownership wants to dole out a contract that could approach or top $600MM. Soto will also certainly have offers from teams that are clearer contenders in the short term.
Soto is the crown jewel of the class but not the only player who’d qualify as a middle-of-the-order bat. Pete Alonso is one home run away from getting to 35 in all five full seasons of his MLB career. Anthony Santander hits the market with a career-best 41 homers and counting. Teoscar Hernández is probably going to get to 30 longballs amidst a resurgent .267/.334/.487 showing with the Dodgers.
Christian Walker is hitting .258/.342/.484 to go along with Gold Glove defense at first base. Tyler O’Neill has drilled 31 home runs for the Red Sox while obliterating left-handed pitching at a .315/.432/.756 clip. Alex Bregman is more of a well-rounded star than a true masher, but he’s certainly a good enough hitter to land in the middle of a lineup. Jurickson Profar has had a fantastic year in San Diego, while primary DH options J.D. Martinez, Joc Pederson and Justin Turner will be back on the market. There are fewer obvious trade candidates, but players like Jorge Soler, Brandon Lowe and Yandy Díaz could be available.
[Related: Previewing The 2024-25 Free Agent Class, First Base]
While Rizzo suggested they’ll cast a wider net than looking specifically at first base, that’s indeed a position of weakness. Washington first basemen have hit .240/.310/.378 this season, landing in the bottom third of MLB in all three slash stats. Things have been even bleaker at designated hitter, where the Nats are hitting .198/.268/.332. Only the Reds and Rangers have gotten less production out of the bat-only position.
Juan Yepez has hit well in a limited role, but he won’t stand in the way of an impact acquisition. Joey Gallo is headed to free agency and seems unlikely to be retained. Neither Andrés Chaparro nor Joey Meneses is a lock to hold a 40-man roster spot all offseason. The Nats could accommodate both a full-time DH and a first baseman.
They’re in a better spot elsewhere on the diamond. Dylan Crews and James Wood are flanking Gold Glove-caliber center fielder Jacob Young. Washington could certainly add an outfielder like Santander or O’Neill and rotate them through designated hitter while nudging Young into more of a fourth outfield role, but center field is no longer a huge weakness. Washington is unlikely to find an impact bat behind the plate, where they’re committed to Keibert Ruiz for the foreseeable future. The middle infield duo of CJ Abrams and Luis García is questionable defensively, but they’re both good hitters. José Tena seems like an adequate third base stopgap until the arrival of prospect Brady House. Bregman is the only marquee third baseman in the upcoming class.
The Patrick Corbin contract comes off the books this winter, giving the Nationals more financial room than they’ve had in a while. RosterResource calculates their 2025 commitments around $40MM. Their arbitration class — led by Kyle Finnegan, García and first-year salaries for Josiah Gray, MacKenzie Gore and Abrams — is manageable. There’ll be a lot of breathing room before reaching this year’s approximate $125MM season-opening payroll. It’s possible ownership is willing to push spending higher than that to exit the rebuild. The Nats will need to add at least one established starting pitcher and look to deepen the bullpen, so there’s a lot for the front office to weigh, but this should be their most interesting offseason in quite some time.
Definitely a need there.
Regardless of what Rizzo says publicly 1b is the clear need for the team. I could see Santander making sense or Soto perhaps but 1b is a big time need. Taking Alonso away from a division rival is also a bonus so I say Alonso is the guy.
A quality defender like Walker or Santana could help out a suspect infield
Santana is a short term fix I think the Nationals are thinking more long term. Walker sure.
Santander has some experience at 1B. I would rather have him than a seemingly declining Alonso. Santander is also a switch hitter so that would allow you to utilize a controllable Yepez as a RH DH option.
Alonso has been a much better hitter for his career than Santander. I do like that he is a switch hitter but I trust Alonso more. Santander is coming from a rival too not division rival but regional rival. I think either makes a lot of sense.
I’d be hesitant to commit to Alonso for as long a contract as he’s probably seeking. Walker would be ideal. Goldschmidt on a short-term deal could work too.
I just don’t see a big market to give him more than 5 years though. I wouldn’t be shocked if he has to “settle” for 5-125 (seeing he thought 7-200+ was realistic). But who knows, it only takes one desperate team.
As a Mets fan, you can go ahead and take Alonso on the contract it would likely take to get him.
The decline will be steep.
I’m looking for a Swedish bikini model.
Hans and Franz say hi
We have Dylan Crews.
Why not Norwegian?
When u find her ask if she has a friend for me
Sign Walker he’ll come cheaper than Alonso and won’t require as long as deal and he can actually field the position. Bregman would be interesting but I think he resigns with Houston.
And he’s a better player.
Frogs
Based on your username and post, you appear to be a homophobic troll.
James Wood, CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews and Brady House might be over-rated but if so, only because they are A grades instead of A-plus grades.
Corbin Burnes and Christian Walker would be the adds that I would want.
Homophobic?
Someone said woke mind virus, everybody drink!
Every single prospect is going to fail!!! Look at this stupid skenes guy in Pittsburgh, so overhyped and his stats are inflated!!!
Read his user name. Yes, homophobic troll fits.
Someone said white fragility, everybody drink!
Sorry Cleaver not going to claim a username automatically makes this person ______. That’s like saying Bart here is a serial killer because he has 3 names. That would be uncivilized. Maybe Frogs likes Weeknd’s music, and that would completely discredit your comment.
Now if you’re referring to comments then you might have a point.
Well, I have been referred to as the ‘bad boy of the competition’.
Burnes would be a great pick. Fingers crossed on that one.
National
A Corbin for a Corbin, seems apropos
InUtero
To attain Nirvana, you must become more tolerant.
Nationals
I can’t wait to see Corbin Burnes pitch against Chase Burns. That game will be on fire! A perfect match.
Just ask Jeffrey Donovan and Gabrielle Anwar.
Some say I have a flare for comedy, but that might just be burning ambition.
Teo and walker would bring veteran leadership and production
At present , the overrated prospects have done slightly better than average players. Still a good foundation to build a competitive team if the owner is willing to spend.
I could see them going after Moncada for 3b. A 1 year deal would make sense for Moncada because he’s coming off injury and for the Nationals because they have House hopefully ready soon.
I don’t know about House. He has not been good in AAA. I don’t know if he will be an everyday guy.
He might or might not. I don’t think they want to block him at this point.
Cayden Wallace could emerge as a serious 3B candidate, especially if House isn’t the guy.
That Patrick Corbin contract makes the Mike Hampton Rockies deal look like a bargain, even adjusted for modern-day pay scale.
Trade for Mouncastle.
Impossible.
How so
Nvmd. I was thinking this year only. What u say makes sense, and “crosstown” doesn’t seem like much of a hindrance.
You’re a big market. Sign Soto. Maybe he would be willing to move to 1B
Bellinger fits their price tag and Nats have rich history with Borass.
Bore Ass is a better verbal styling.
My guess is they bring in some vet on a one year deal. The young guys probably need another year to develop and see if they can take another step forward. Team does need prob two middle order bats but they also need multiple starters before they can compete.
They need so many players I think they would be better off spreading the money around rather than blowing a huge chunk on Soto. We could see them rise in 2-3 years depending on how the core progresses.
Reading this article and another one very recently makes me think Alex Call is not in their plans at all.
Call’s still a good fit as an extra OF if they trust him in all 3 spots. They’ll need someone on the depth chart behind Young in CF.
That is why I think Corbin Burnes and Christian Walker would be enough. Between the regulars, Yepez and Call, you have plenty of guys to rotate into the OF, 1B, and DH. Alex Call makes the team on Opening Day.
I personally think Waller is very happy with the Brewers and will take less to stay.. but just my opinion.. he found a home and feel he prefers to stay
Should be he? In one week he’ll be 30. His 2024 MLB BA is an anomaly, especially given that his Triple A BA this year was .222. He’s a Charlie Hustle-type guy with some useful upside but he is not a starter and he only makes teams that don’t have better talent.
Think it is pretty much a given Hernandez will strike out close to 200 times for you. But it really doesn’t matter all that much if he has an ops of more than .800.
Whenever I read about a team looking for a middle of the order bat, I recall when Soto was traded to the Yankees. People were saying he’s a true middle of the lineup guy. Hasn’t he batted second or third all year? That’s the top of the lineup and not the middle.
That’s probably a term that doesn’t match its literal definition anymore, with teams often putting their best bats near the top. Kyle Schwarber for example meets the definition even if he bats leadoff.
True that. Middle of the line up bats tend to be in the top four! Not fifth of nine.
I like Mike Rizzo, but his baseball moves are predictable.
His Nationals teams are always short on pitching; hence the panic leading to the Corbin contract.
It’s easy to develop good position players. It’s hard to develop pitching. With all the pitching injuries in today’s MLB, teams that have developed pitchers are not trading them except in special circumstances. Think the Brewers trading Corbin Burnes in his walk year – meanwhile they squared away Aaron Civale, Tobias Myers, and Frankie Montas along with the bullpen as they ran away with the NL Central this year. They know how to develop pitchers.
The Nationals have some nice young pitchers. But fact is that they’re currently 25th in MLB in team ERA. and have always had problems finding bullpen pitchers. That’s going to be a major problem as MLB in turning into a bullpen league – particularly in the playoffs – and teams have to be able to develop at least some of their own.
The only community Soto is interested in is the billionaire community.
Nationals have done an impressive job developing former Cubs prospect DJ Herz. Notwithstanding his last start, Herz looks like the real deal.
I think the reality is they want to go after a Pete Alonso/Christian Walker type. However, I believe they need to address their pitching. This team might get lucky and get Ethan Holliday in the draft lottery. I think they should try and go after a MIchael Wacha or Walker Buehler and help stabilize the rotation with the presence of a veteran arm. I feel like Rizzo might hit the ”panic button’ and try to overpay someone when the offense is coming along. They just need certain guys to grow a little bit more with the bat and glove. Adding another bullpen arm wouldn’t necessarily be a bad idea either. Maybe take a flier on Trevor Richards for a buy low move, along with Jose Leclerc? Maybe Tanner Scott you would overpay since you are familiar with him within the division. Nationals rebuilding is coming along with the timeline, it would be terrible if they overpay for a guy currently when they have so much payroll flexibility with the Corbin deal coming off, anticipating arb salaries is a bit tricky but I think they have a better outlook as a team for 2025 and beyond if they just address a few holes other than a big bat.
They have the money for a power bat and sp so maybe both is realistic.
“wont due”….brilliant
Soto is the dream but being realistic the top targets should be:
1. Christian Walker
2. Top SP thru FA or trade
3. Santander
4. 3 bullpen arms
I could be talked into signing Willy Adames, moving CJ to SS and selling high on Luis Garcia for a nice bullpen piece
I recommend Greg bird
One thing not mentioned is the need for a leadoff hitter. Maybe Jacob Young could improve if he went back to AAA. Think he has only played there two or three weeks.
The horrible stats at 1B can be laid strictly at the feet of Gallo, who is an awful hitter who was signed for $5M. Then he got hurt. The Nats played better without him. Then he came back and their record deteriorated. Gallo is a plus defender, but you cannot survive with an outfield or 1B bat hitting .160. Yepez is a good hitter who should have received all the regular playing time; even Meneses produced well beyond what Gallo is capable of. It appeared as if Gallo HAD to be played in order to justify his salary. Just a rancid situation, and watching Martinez continue to find a spot in the lineup for Gallo has been disheartening. With signs of hope looming, the Nats are ending 2024 on a down note.
If the Tigers look for a reliable RH power bat in FA, Torkelson might be listened on.