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Priorities for the Nationals during hot stove season

Noah Frank | nfrank@wtop.com

November 10, 2015, 1:58 AM

Dusty Baker, left, listens as general manager Mike Rizzo speaks during a news conference to present Baker as the new manager of the Washington Nationals baseball team, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
WASHINGTON — The MLB offseason has only just begun, but action figures to heat up pretty quickly for the Washington Nationals now that they’ve completed the business of sorting out their managerial situation. This is a team that obviously has some holes to patch after underachieving in 2015, but there are a number of different directions they could go about doing so. After setting a franchise record with a payroll in excess of $165 million last year, the Nats will be clearing about $70 million of that off the books, before accounting for arbitration raises. Depending on how much money ownership is willing to commit to the upcoming year, that could allow the front office flexibility to add several pieces across the roster. Let’s break down the different ways the team could look to fortify its roster and some potential names to keep an eye on as we head into the winter. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Nationals' Ian Desmond (20) runs the bases during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Miami. The Nationals defeated the Marlins 5-0. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Qualifying offers The qualifying offer has only existed for three seasons prior to 2015, but no player has ever accepted one to date. It is intended to serve as a protection for players heading to free agency, but is only generally offered to those players who are likely to sign elsewhere for more years and more money. The figure has gone up from $13.3 million in the offseason heading into 2013 to $15.8 million this year, resulting in Washington making the offer to just two of their impending free agents, Jordan Zimmermann and Ian Desmond. While Zimmermann will undoubtedly sign a much richer contract elsewhere, Desmond is an interesting case. He only has until Friday to decide what he will do with the offer, but if the interest on the free agent market isn’t what he had hoped following a down season in 2015, it might make sense for both sides to re-sign the veteran shortstop for a one-year deal. It would allow Desmond to potentially rebuild his open market value for next year while providing the Nats some insurance in the middle infield, in case Trea Turner (who is still just 22 and slashed only .225/.295/.320 in his first, limited big league action this year) isn’t ready to be the starter. It’s admittedly a long shot — especially considering the thin shortstop market this year — but one that could shift other offseason priorities. Either way, we’ll know this week. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) reacts next to and umpire Alan Porter, right, during the ninth inning of an interleague baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, in Washington. Papelbon was ejected for hitting Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado with a pitch. Also seen is Baltimore Orioles' Chris Davis. The Orioles won 4-3. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Bullpen help Perhaps the most glaring void is in the Nationals bullpen, which ranked 10th in baseball in bullpen ERA (3.46) despite leaning on relievers for just 468.1 innings, sixth-least in the Majors. Washington relievers also blew 23 saves in 64 opportunities, ranking 23rd in save percentage (64.1) a year after converting at the fourth-best rate in the bigs (72.6). The organization has announced that it plans to bring back both Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen, both of whose ERA’s were far worse after Papelbon’s acquisition at the trade deadline. Papelbon’s ERA ballooned from just 1.59 with Philly to 3.04 in Washington, where he suffered his only two blown saves of the year. Storen, meanwhile, pitched to a 1.64 ERA converting 27 of 29 saves, then imploded to the tune of a 7.56 ERA and three blown saves before breaking his hand punching a locker, prematurely ending his season. Even if the two coexist and perform well next season, the Nats could use some more reliable pieces to help them bridge the gap from the starters. Former Orioles closer Darren O’Day is rumored to be on the team’s radar and would add a proven veteran who provides a nice change of pace in delivery from the arms currently in the ‘pen. As far as options from the left side, Matt Thornton is a free agent, and is also 39. If they don’t re-sign the veteran, the Nats will need another southpaw to complement Felipe Rivero. The 24-year-old proved himself capable of retiring batters from both sides of the plate, meaning that other lefty targets could be more in the mold of past Nats like Jerry Blevins or Xavier Cedeno, specialists with excellent numbers against lefties but bad splits against righties. More expensive options like Tony Sipp are also out there, but options like James Russell may be better for the price. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Kansas City Royals’ Ben Zobrist drives in the go-ahead run with a double off Minnesota Twins pitcher Glen Perkins in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, in Minneapolis. The Royals won 3-1. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Free agent position players The Nationals do not have a glaring need at any particular position, nor do they have 500 plate appearances to dole out to a specific spot. But they could make a couple upgrades that would vastly fortify the group already entrenched. This is the place where, once again, we’ll highlight the versatility and value of Ben Zobrist, and why he’s been a perfect fit for this team for years. He can play anywhere on the field other than pitcher and catcher, allowing him to be spell most any regular who needs a day off or who is banged up. His left-handed bat brings needed balance to a lineup that has lost both Adam LaRoche and Denard Span in consecutive years. And he can play shortstop to start the season if Turner is truly not ready yet. In the past, the team has been unwilling to part with the prospects required to acquire Zobrist via trade. Now he is a free agent, making money the only obstacle. If they’re looking for a younger player, they could also go after Gerardo Parra, who they were rumored to have had interest with at the trade deadline. Still just 28, Parra can play all three outfield positions at a high rate, also hits left-handed, and provides the potential for double digit home run and stolen base totals. Another intriguing option is catcher Matt Wieters. A league average or better hitter most of his career (OPS+ of 103 since 2011), he’s a switch-hitter capable of 20 home runs with a fairly strong ability to control the running game. His career caught-stealing percentage (32.4 percent) is nearly identical to Wilson Ramos’ (32.9). Considering the latter had by far the worst offensive year of his career (.229/.258/.358 slash line) after eclipsing 100 games for the first time since 2011, there may be room to upgrade behind the plate. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
AP Photo/Jim Mone
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) stands in the dugout during a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in Washington. The Padres won 6-5. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Trades The idea of trading Stephen Strasburg seems to be gaining traction in some circles, but that move would have made a lot more sense last year. After signing Max Scherzer, the Nats had six quality starters vying for five spots, with Strasburg coming off an excellent year and still two years of team control before free agency. He is a far less valuable commodity now, and far more important to Washington’s success in 2016. If the Nationals sign Weiters, Ramos could become a tradable commodity, entering his final year of arbitration. If Washington signs Zobrist or another middle infielder, Danny Espinosa could be a nice piece with two years of team control remaining. The rest of the core is either far too valuable or attached to immovable contracts. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer, right, looks on as general manager Mike Rizzo speaks during an introductory news conference at Nationals Park, on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Washington. Scherzer signed a $210 million, seven- year contract to join the Nationals. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Surprises Mike Rizzo is usually good for one major surprise per offseason. If we aren’t counting the Bud Black/Dusty Baker saga on that tally, there is always the potential for Washington to go big on a free agent where there does not appear to be a glaring need, as they did with Scherzer. In this case, that might mean a free agent outfielder, like Justin Upton or Jason Heyward. Both should command heavy years and money due to their talent and young age (28 and 26, respectively), but would provide a middle of the order bat to fortify the offense. Acquiring either would likely push Bryce Harper back to center field, which might put Michael Taylor’s future in the organization in doubt. It could turn him into a valuable trade piece, though, to help Washington fill gaps later in the year. With top prospect Lucas Giolito set to push his way into a rotation that includes Scherzer, Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Tanner Roark and Joe Ross, a high-priced starting pitching acquisition seems unlikely. Then again, it did last year, too. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
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Dusty Baker, left, listens as general manager Mike Rizzo speaks during a news conference to present Baker as the new manager of the Washington Nationals baseball team, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Nationals' Ian Desmond (20) runs the bases during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Miami. The Nationals defeated the Marlins 5-0. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) reacts next to and umpire Alan Porter, right, during the ninth inning of an interleague baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, in Washington. Papelbon was ejected for hitting Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado with a pitch. Also seen is Baltimore Orioles' Chris Davis. The Orioles won 4-3. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Kansas City Royals’ Ben Zobrist drives in the go-ahead run with a double off Minnesota Twins pitcher Glen Perkins in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, in Minneapolis. The Royals won 3-1. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) stands in the dugout during a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in Washington. The Padres won 6-5. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer, right, looks on as general manager Mike Rizzo speaks during an introductory news conference at Nationals Park, on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Washington. Scherzer signed a $210 million, seven- year contract to join the Nationals. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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