The next team on that I will be previewing is the Washington Nationals. The 2019 World Series champions are coming off a disappointing 2020 season, as they finished in last place, tied with the Mets with a 26-34 record. Last year didn’t go the way the Nationals expected to, as they dealt with injuries to their pitching staff. I expect this year to go differently, because the front office went out and made it a point to make their team better. Let’s take a look at their offseason transactions.
| Additions | Departures |
| LHP Brad Hand | LHP Sean Doolittle |
| LHP Jon Lester | RHP Anibal Sanchez |
| C Alex Avila | C Kurt Suzuki |
| 1B Josh Bell | 1B Howie Kendrick |
| 1B Ryan Zimmerman (Re-Signed) | 1B Eric Thames |
| Outfielder Kyle Schwarber | 3B Asdrubal Cabrera |
| Outfielder Gerardo Parra | Outfielder Adam Eaton |
| Utility Josh Harrison (Re-Signed) | Outfielder Michael Taylor |
I’m sure, as evident by the list above, that the Nationals front office made it point to get better in the offseason. One name that pops out to me is “Mr. National” Ryan Zimmerman. This guy has been on a National since the moment he was drafted. And I am one of those people that believes that players who have spent a large portion of their careers with a team, that they shouldn’t play anywhere else. Ryan Zimmerman is one of those guys. If I were him I would’ve rode off into the sunset after finally winning the World Series in 2019, but he didn’t feel like it was time. And I’m sure last year would’ve been his last year had it not been for COVID. Now, Zim gets the chance to have one last hurrah, and ride off into the sunset at the end of the year.
Projected Starting Rotation
| 1 | Max Scherzer |
| 2 | Stephen Strasburg |
| 3 | Patrick Corbin |
| 4 | Jon Lester |
| 5 | Joe Ross |
The Nationals have one of the best top half rotations in baseball. When I say that, I mean that their 1-3 pitchers has to be one of the best in baseball. Max Scherzer is probably the only pitcher to sign a big contract that actually benefited the team. Max has performed exceptional for almost every year he’s been a National. The one pitcher, as part of the 3 headed monster, that is a question mark is Stephen Strasburg. Simply because he’s coming off an injury plagued season last year, after dealing with carpel tunnel problems. If he comes back and is sharp, then the Nationals will have a chance to make a playoff push. The last person I want to touch up on is Jon Lester. Lester is on the back nine of his career and this year is possibly the last year of his career, as all he wanted to do was reach 200 career wins. If 3 of the 5 starters click, then the Nationals will be a good shape at the end of the season.
Projected Line-Up
| 1 | CF Victor Robles | R |
| 2 | RF Juan Soto | L |
| 3 | SS Trea Turner | R |
| 4 | 1B Josh Bell | S |
| 5 | LF Kyle Schwarber | L |
| 6 | 2B Starlin Castro | R |
| 7 | C Yan Gomes | R |
| 8 | 3B Carter Kieboom | R |
| 9 | P Pitcher | – |
When you look at this line-up, you will think this line-up RAKES. And they probably will. They have a deep line-up with great all around hitters, up and down their line-up. The three names I want to look at, are first, Juan Soto. Soto is an absolute stud, who will get paid when he decides he wants to. The reason I am highlighting Soto, is because he is one of the Nationals top two all around hitters. Not only can he hit for power, but he doesn’t strikeout that much, is a patient hitter, and can hit gap-to-gap. If I’m an executive with Washington, then I am making it priority number 1 to sign Juan Soto to a contract extension ASAP. I give him a blank check and let him fill out the number, because the longer he goes without signing an extension, the more money you will have to pay. Next I want to talk about is newly acquired 1st baseman, Josh Bell. Bell is coming over from Pittsburgh where his talents were being wasted. He fills out this line-up very well, as he gives Nationals the option of having Turner hit 3rd and being protected. Bell will have a breakout year in my opinion. Lastly, arguably the best hitter on the team, Trea Turner. This dude is an all around 5 tool player. He hits for average, can hit for power, has speed, is great defensively, and has a great arm. He flies under the radar because over having other guys like Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman, etc. But now, he is able to be a meaningful part of the line-up.
2021 PECOTA NL East Projections
PECOTA has Washington having a better season than they did last year. I agree with them to a certain extent. I’m more than sure that the Nationals will be a better team this year, but I don’t expect them to finish better than the Braves, but I do expect them to finish ahead of the Phillies. I can see them battling out for 2nd place in the NL East with the Mets, which will also mean they will be battling with the Mets for the 2nd Wild Card. With that being said, I believe the Nationals will finish in 3rd place, ultimately failing to make the postseason.
