The Nationals haven’t made many notable acquisitions this offseason. They signed middle reliever Dylan Floro and former top prospect Nick Senzel to affordable one-year pacts and plucked infielder Nasim Nuñez from the Marlins in the Rule 5 draft. It’s not all that surprising that a still-rebuilding Washington team coming off a 71-91 showing hasn’t been aggressive, but GM Mike Rizzo had suggested at the Winter Meetings the team was open to a multi-year free agent pickup “in the right situation” (link via Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com).
With all of $4.25MM in free agent spending committed to Floro and Senzel, there should still be financial room at Rizzo’s disposal. That doesn’t guarantee they’ll hand out any kind of significant deal, particularly with a lack of great options in the middle tiers of free agency. Yet it’d be a surprise if the Nationals were finished with their offseason activity. One area where some kind of addition seems likely: a left-handed bat.
Both the Talk Nats blog and MLB.com’s Jessica Camerato suggested in late December that Washington was looking to bring in left-handed power. The Nats’ best lefty or switch-hitting bats — CJ Abrams, Keibert Ruiz, Luis García and Jake Alu — all have middling pop. Only the Guardians had a lower ISO (slugging minus batting average) against right-handed pitching in 2023. Acquiring a lefty power source makes plenty of sense.
It’s hard to see Washington spending at the level it’d take to land Cody Bellinger. Even though he’s young enough to be a veteran cornerstone for a team that could more realistically seek to compete by 2025, the Nationals have a pair of top center field prospects in James Wood and Dylan Crews. They’re also still faced with the MASN rights uncertainty and on the hook for significant money to Patrick Corbin, Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer’s deferrals in the short term. It’s probably not the right time for a top-of-the-market splash.
We’ll look a few tiers down. Where might that search lead Rizzo and company?
Free Agency
- Brandon Belt: Belt, even going into his age-36 season, should command the loftiest guarantee of the players in this group. He’s coming off a very strong offensive showing for the Blue Jays. He hit 19 homers and walked more than 15% of the time he stepped to the plate, leading to a .254/.369/.490 line through 404 plate appearances. Favorable matchups played a role in that strong rate production; Toronto limited him to 39 PA’s against left-handed pitching. Washington could deploy him similarly at designated hitter and/or first base, where only Joey Meneses (coming off a league average offensive showing) stands in the way.
- Joc Pederson: The Blue Jays are the only club publicly tied to Pederson this winter. He’s coming off a middling season in which he hit .235/.348/.416 with 15 homers through 425 plate appearances for the Giants. That’s not huge power production at first glance, but Pederson has five 20+ homer seasons on his résumé (four with at least 25 longballs). He made hard contact — an exit velocity of at least 95 MPH — on more than half his batted balls last season, a top 15 rate in the majors. Pederson is a limited player. He’s best served as a DH and is mostly limited to facing right-handed pitching. He still has life in the bat, though, even if last year’s results were underwhelming.
- Eddie Rosario: There hasn’t been any public chatter on Rosario since the Braves declined a $9MM option at the start of the offseason. He should command a one-year deal at a salary that’s not too far below that rate. Rosario is coming off a reasonably effective year. He hit 21 homers with a .255/.305/.450 line in 516 trips to the plate. That was the fourth time in his career that he surpassed 20 longballs. Rosario is mostly limited to left field but rated reasonably well with the glove last year. His performance varies wildly within seasons, but he tends to produce roughly league average numbers by the end.
- Joey Gallo: Gallo hit 21 homers in just 332 plate appearances a season ago. The flaw in his game, huge swing-and-miss rates, has only magnified in recent seasons. Gallo hasn’t hit above the Mendoza line since 2019. He’s hitting .168 with a .290 on-base percentage in 742 plate appearances over the last two campaigns. There are a lot of uncompetitive at-bats. Few players fit the profile of a “left-handed power bat” quite like Gallo, though.
Trade Possibilities
It’s tougher to identify great fits on the trade market in the absence of many clear rebuilding teams. The Nationals could theoretically take a bigger swing at a player with an extended control window (e.g. Alec Burleson, Jesús Sánchez). That’s not an easy task to pull off, particularly since Washington is probably reluctant to part with significant prospect talent. There are a few veteran bats who’d make some sense as speculative trade candidates for a lesser return.
- Josh Bell: Bell had a productive stint over his year and a half in Washington from 2021-22. He hit .278/.363/.483 in just over 1000 plate appearances before being included in the Juan Soto trade. Bell has changed uniforms twice more since that deadline blockbuster, signing with the Guardians before being flipped to the Marlins last summer. The switch-hitting first baseman struggled in Cleveland (.233/.318/.383) but generally turned things around in South Florida (.270/.338/.480). That reasonably strong finish wasn’t enough for Bell to forego a $16.5MM player option for the upcoming season. It stands to reason the Fish would be happy to get out from under the bulk of that deal if the Nationals were interested in a reunion.
- Seth Brown: A’s GM David Forst indicated at the beginning of the offseason that he didn’t expect to trade Brown. That’s presumably more about Oakland feeling that other teams won’t meet their ask than an indication they wouldn’t consider offers on a 31-year-old platoon player. Brown is a career .237/.305/.471 hitter against right-handed pitching. He can play first base or the corner outfield and is under arbitration control for three seasons. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz forecasts him for a $2.4MM salary.
- Mike Yastrzemski: Yastrzemski is projected for a $7.3MM salary in his second-to-last arbitration season. He hit 15 homers in 381 plate appearances a year ago, running a .233/.330/.445 line overall. The Giants aren’t likely to urgently shop Yastrzemski, but the singing of Jung Hoo Lee pushes him from center field to the corner opposite Michael Conforto. Trading Mitch Haniger paved the way for a Lee, Conforto, Yastrzemski outfield supplemented by righty-hitting Austin Slater, but the Giants also have Luis Matos, Wade Meckler and Heliot Ramos as options on the grass.
Minor League Deal Candidates
Each of these players has turned in above-average offense from the left side in their careers. None hit free agency under great circumstances. Choi had an injury-plagued 2023 campaign that kept him to 39 games without much production. The other four players were either non-tendered or elected free agency after an outright.
Meadows has missed most of the past two seasons attending to anxiety; it is unclear if he’ll be in position to return next year. Ford and Vogelbach are largely limited to DH, while Walsh hasn’t been the same since he was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome in 2022. None of these players are likely to be Washington’s top acquisition, but they’d be viable depth targets if the Nats wanted a second lefty bat on a minor league or low-cost MLB pact.
How have the Braves not signed Austin Meadows to a minor league deal
Because he’s from Georgia?
He’s probably fielded multiple minor league offers, he could be holding out hoping for an MLB deal for 1-2 million dollars or something.
he’s been dealing with anxiety the pass 2 seasons. If you read the article, it’s unclear if he’s in position to play next year. Teams probably aren’t offering him because they don’t want to take a risk
What would be the point of a “minor league deal” for Vogelbach???
Because he would know the best places to eat in each city…. “Get in my belly!”
be nice…….
Agree-heard him on a couple of interviews, he came across as just a regular dude. No need to poke fun at him
I think poking fun at Big Dan is perfectly OK. Especially since it is between pals and not mean spirited. I have no doubt he is a big teddy bear of a fella. And it is true so it can’t be all that bad. He would probably agree with what I was saying. I probably hit the nail on the head with his order in fact. He wears his weight proudly. No biggie.
Lol I would love to know his “typical” orders when they are out for team dinners on the road. Probably the stuff of legends. A nice steakhouse you say? Well, let me have the double cut of prime rib, king crab legs, 2 lobster tails, 2 shrimp cocktails. Lobster mac n cheese, loaded baked tater, 2 creme brulee’s for desert, all the au jus you can fit on the table, and a few brewskies please.
*Plus a dozen slices of garlic cheese bread
No mention of Joey Votto?
Seems like the perfect guy to mentor all of these young hitters. Then trade him to a contender at the break so he gets a chance at a ring
I assume that’s because he’s not a “Left-Handed Power Bat.” The article is specifically addressing the Nats desire for the power, but I don’t think Votto can be considered that anymore.
You are correct that he would likely be a great hitting mentor to youth on the team though.
Votto was on a 34HR 94RBI pace last year
baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?t=b&…
Hm, okay. I guess from that perspective, as long as they feel he can remain healthy and repeat the performance you’re right. Good call.
I certainly didn’t consider him a viable power option, but it seems I’m wrong on that. His numbers may even be better than Gallo’s triple slash at a full year.
Pleased to meet you Yankee Clipper. I think this is the first time I have seen “I’m wrong on that” used in these comments. None of us know everything or are correct about everything. Refreshing to hear your comments. I look forward to future discussions
You as well, thank you. I try to keep an open mind (for being a stubborn mule, anyway- haha)…
Just wondering why the guys that can hit the cover off a baseball are considered good mentors…but many of the guys that are employed as hitting coaches have only a cup of coffee in the big leagues. I would have thought that the young guys would listen more to a coach that had a stellar record…
It’s a valid point. Like with many successful boxers, some of their best managers/coaches were not the greatest in the ring.
I think with Votto specifically, it’s his entire approach to hitting. He was such a good overall hitter for such a long time, young guys would naturally respect and listen to his advice on how he approached his ABs.
You nailed it, Clip. It was how he approached an AB that would be invaluable info to young players. He never gave one away.
I think that, sadly, classic Votto swing is gone after the double surgery. I only recall a couple balls driven to left center. You always knew when he was going well because he drove it in the left center gap a lot during those periods.
Doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a wealth of knowledge and he could still pull the ball good at times as evidenced by the aforementioned numbers if given enough days off.
Man I would love to see what Joey Votto could do with Joey Weimer in teaching that young man with hitting.
Is it possible in mlb to be a player/coach like the old days? If there’s nothing separating players from management; it’s strange he hasn’t been signed as a DH with an eye to longer term coaching agreement. Likewise, there are many outstanding pitchers that could pass experience on as a pitcher/pitching coach.
I’ve always wondered that too, Best. I also don’t understand why the vast majority of catchers are horrible hitters, but can catch those balls no problem. I get that they know what’s coming when catching, but if they do their homework on who they’ll be facing, which I assume they do, they should still have a pretty good idea.
@D-Nice Catchers are usually notorious for being good guess hitters for just that reason.
The most famous one was some guy named Bench who freely admitted it.
I only came here to check if Max Kepler was mentioned
Same. He wasn’t mentioned in the article about Rockies needing a Left-handed OF either…
Does “mentoring” really happen?
Yeah. Especially when developing a routine or the preparation. Veterans are sought out for that particularly. Then, some try a Veterans approach and sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.
No Stolen bases in 2023 for Pederson?
No, but he stole a lot of money and snacks
Bellinger might be a lot cheaper than previously thought. I don’t see the big bidding war shaping up at this point. At the very least, it should be less years.
It’s a great point. Doesn’t seem like we are hearing anything about teams desiring Bellinger. I wonder if the Cubs know they’re essentially bidding against themselves for him. I’m curious, especially with all the attempted Heyman-hype, if all the major Boras clients are struggling to get near what they desired this offseason.
I def think there are going to be some guys who don’t get what they expected. Bellinger is one. Josh Hader is another. I acknowledge the fact that the cable deals are having an impact, but we have really known about that situation for a while. Somehow the impact got left out of the calculus. The Dodgers getting Ohtani and Yamamato should have left some money on the table for someone, but it hasn’t played out that way so far.
Belli is this years Correa. Expecting a huge deal like all the others but will end up with a short term/opt out. Boras does a good job for most of his guys but every now and again he settles
Agreed
I say offer a multi year deal to that position player with superstar qualities and appeal. IMO, that’s Belli.
Let’s face it, next couple of years aren’t looking pretty for the Nats. Belli will help fill seats as Rizzo builds around him. The trick is convincing Boras to convince his client to go for it.
One thought. Nats tried this route with Jayson Werth back in the day and he turned out to be just ok, not superstar stud.
Win now. Trade Matos, Meckler and Ramos. Wait till next year – trade Yaz and Conforto. Be a .500 team, do nothing.
Would they be willing to take Yoshida or is that too much money to take on?
I doubt the money really scares the Nationals, but the contract is underwater. How would the Sox make it worth their while? Would the Sox being willing to take on Patrick Corbin and a piece of his contract?
No clue, I only threw the idea out there. I know it’s a long shot.
Max Kepler trade
RE MLBTR
This whole article without a mention of wRC+ (or even OPS+). Yikes
Gavin Sheets.
“but the *singing* of Jung Hoo Lee pushes him from center field to the corner opposite Michael Conforto.”
Wonder what Lee sings? Broadway show tunes, rockabilly?
K-Pop
I have it on good authority he does a mean Elvis…. The ballad years, of course.
No Vegas Elvis?
I actually had a Japanese friend who did karaoke Madonna with the whole get up back in the day.
That comes when he is in his 30s.
Yep. More likely to be blackmailed into doing so in his 30’s.
Or given enough beer.
Well of course, THAT! Heck, I could be singing Streisand in nothing but peter pan tights after a few more myself!
Belt as a veteran mentor 1B/DH makes sense. Really any of the lefty sluggers not named Bellinger make sense for the Nats
He was openly discussing retirement last yr due to nagging injury, so Belt may not be an option
They’ll go with Rosario.
Them or the Rockies, I commented about a good case for rosario signing with the Rockies on the article posted here a few hours ago, the same could be said about the nationals, although with the Rockies his hitting stats would probably look a lot better, he could hit 25-30 homers 80-90 RBI, with the nationals it would be closer to his braves production. You know what you’ll get with him, though he doesn’t walk a lot, he can still smash a baseball. He is very streaky and doesn’t walk a bunch, but he can definitely help a team and he can definitely be clutch. With the Rockies you get the added element of him feasting on NL West teams that he is definitely known for lol. As a braves fan, I was quite fond of him, and I hope he’s able to still remain in the league for a few more years.
” the singing of Jung Hoo Lee pushes him from center field to the corner opposite Michael Conforto”
No team has won a championship without someone who can belt out “Take Me Out To the Ballgame” to a decent standard 😛
Explains why the Cubs didn’t win for so long.
*ducks*
Not sure why the Nats are even playing the season. Just embrace being bad, sit it out and save that money to pay off Strasburg & the money deferred to Scherzer.
I mean, they owe Rafael Soriano $2 million for the 2024 season and $1.5 for Brad Hand.
I’m curious what would happen if they brought Brad Hand back for this year. I’m guessing it’d be treated as a second separate contract.
Joc Pederson’s a guy that would fit, Belt is a good candidate too. Belt can still play 1B without being a full-time DH, but Joc is a full-time DH at this point, so it depends if the Nationals want a full-time DH.
The Phillies have1B Darrick Hall. Big time pop with 5 years of control and no obvious role in Philly. Darrick Hall & McKinley Moore for Hunter Harvey?
The Yankees like Gallo’s average. Maybe they will sign him. They do need another .170 bat in the line up.
I thought the MASN dispute was settled?
I’d like to see the Nats target a longer-term lefty bat even if it means moving a piece like Thomas. Trade value website says Dominic Canzone would be an acceptable deal; I’d caveat it with the Mariners would want some of the $7 million Thomas should get covered. That might mean another piece on their end. Canzone would be a big lefty power bat who is blocked this year, while Thomas would fill a need for a righty to balance out the lefty outfielders. Thomas for risk and upside.
What a depressing story. Might as well offer Matt Adams a deal. He could produce as well as these weak candidates, and you could save a bundle. The Nats are playing Money Bull.