Before the start of Spring Training, I touched on the key roster battles the Nationals were faced with. Most of those don’t have significant clarity yet, but one appears to have taken center stage: the fifth starter role.

Aside from Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin — who will make their debuts over the next two days — and Max Scherzer — who just made his second appearance last night — every starter has thrown one time. With that in mind, here’s a look at how round one went for the men whose jobs are most in limbo and how they project going forward. Continue reading “Round One of Spring Training Goes to Austin Voth and Joe Ross” →

Well that was fast! The Washington Nationals are back, and it’s time for them to begin their title defense. With that said, here’s a look at what’s changed since they last took the field and the questions they’ll need to answer. Continue reading “Washington Nationals Enter Spring Training 2020 With Voids to Fill” →

He’s already won Comeback Player of the Year once before. If Jonny Venters pitches next year, he should win it again by default.

Venters has already undergone “three and a half” Tommy John surgeries. He also looked like his prime self — one of the most dominant left-handed relievers in baseball — in 2018. The fact that he was even available in late May (when the Nationals signed him to a minor league contract) was largely due to his checkered past health-wise. Continue reading “The Adventure of Jonny Venters in D.C.” →

If Anthony Rendon isn’t your top-rated free agent in Washington, it’s because Stephen Strasburg is. Once viewed as an overrated, overhyped prospect who would never rediscover his pre-Tommy John surgery self, Strasburg became the unequivocal ace of a star-laden starting rotation. Continue reading “A Monster Deal for Stephen Strasburg?” →

Fernando Rodney is a unique case. Sure, he’s pretty well-removed from his days of being a top 10 closer. He’s not someone who should be relied upon that heavily.

And yet that’s precisely what Dave Martinez did when the Nationals signed him to a minor-league contract in June and purchased him from AAA Fresno shortly thereafter. Continue reading “Fernando Rodney Deserves an Apology” →

The 2020 free agent class is strong. In regards to the top available player, depending on who you ask, you’ll likely hear one of three responses: Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg (more on him soon), or Anthony Rendon. Continue reading “Anthony Rendon: All Alone Among Position Players” →

Entering 2019, the Nationals’ outfield depth was a little thin. Juan Soto could’ve theoretically had a sophomore slump, Adam Eaton was an injury risk, Victor Robles was only a rookie, and Michael A. Taylor — need I say more?

Things went from bad to worse when Soto was sent to the 10-day injured list with back spasms in early May.

The patchwork solution was signing Gerardo Parra. But what was a backup outfielder who hit below .200 in over a month in San Francisco really going to fix? Continue reading “What Does Tomorrow Hold for Gerardo Parra?” →

When asked who the Nationals’ best hitter was this season, most people will say Anthony Rendon. Some might argue for Juan Soto, based on plate discipline and power-enhanced upside. But very few will skip to Howie Kendrick. Perhaps that should be rethought. Continue reading “Howie Going to Handle Kendrick?” →

How many good relievers did the Nationals have prior to the trade deadline? In many people’s eyes, the answer was one: Sean Doolittle. Well, Mike Rizzo did not rest on his laurels, acquiring three solid bullpen pieces at the end of July. Two of them (Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland) are controllable through 2021, but the team also added one veteran two-month rental. Continue reading “Will the Nationals Be Lustin’ for Daniel Hudson?” →

There’s no way around it: Jeremy Hellickson had a very forgettable season. After a solid 2018 campaign (3.45 ERA in 19 starts), the right-handed hurler nearly doubled that output (6.23 ERA in nine appearances — eight starts) in 2019. Continue reading “A Brief Moment to Dwell on Jeremy Hellickson” →