Inside the Nats: Our indepth look at every big-league team ends with Washington. Does it have enough tools for another big run?
Five issues facing the Nationals:
Who’s on third? It’s not Anthony Rendon anymore, but another firstround pick has a chance to eventually make a home there. After Carter Kieboom’s difficult major league debut in 2019 (.128 batting average, four errors in 11 games), it doesn’t seem likely he’ll begin the season as the everyday third baseman. He is also transitioning to the position from shortstop, where he played most of his time in the minor leagues.
Kieboom has a shot to win the thirdbase job wih a great spring. It’s more likely veteran Asdrubal Cabrera, who hit .323 with an OPS of .969 in 38 games for Washington last season, claims most of the time there as a placeholder until he Kieboom is ready.
The Rendon factor: Rendon was a steadying, often spectacular presence in the lineup and at third. He put together his best season of a seven-year career in 2019 and cashed in with a seven-year, $245 million deal with the Angels.
The Nationals know they can’t replace him but they’ll try to come close to his production and presence with a strong collection of veteran depth. Starlin Castro, Howie Kendrick and Cabrera can all play second and third base and all proved last season they can still be productive hitters. Kendrick, in fact, was one of Washington’s MVPs last season with a .344 average, 17 homers and 62 RBI in 121 games and the go-ahead homer in Game 7 of the World Series.
Back of the rotation: This might seem like a first-world problem given the Nationals have Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin and Anibal Sanchez. Yet Sanchez is 35 and Scherzer will be 36 in July. Factor in the wear and tear of three rounds of playoffs, and rotation depth could be crucial. Joe Ross hasn’t been as reliable since he had Tommy John surgery in 2018. Austin Voth, 27, could play a valuable role. He was dominant in eight starts last season and has proved himself in the minors.
Martinez and Rizzo: General manzation
ager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez are in the last years of their contracts. This would have been a much bigger issue had the Nats not had their memorable run last season. Martinez has a club option for 2020. In some ways it’s hard to see Rizzo leaving the organi
he built into a World Series winner. But maybe he wants to undertake a new challenge.
Target factor: Washington won’t sneak up on anyone this season. Meanwhile,
the Braves, Philllies and Mets (especially if Yoenis Cespedes is healthy) have improved. Without Rendon, the Nationals are no lock to win the division and might find themselves fighting for a wild-card spot again.