Could Nathan be closer?
Notable spring face
RHP Joe Nathan: The Minnesota Twins’ all-time leader in saves is 42 and hasn’t pitched more than 61⁄ innings in the major leagues 3 since 2014. The Nationals didn’t sign or trade for an established closer after losing Mark Melancon to free agency in December. Shawn Kelley might be the front-runner, but Nathan is in the mix for the job with Blake Treinen and perhaps others.
Even if Nathan doesn’t land the closer’s job, he stands a chance to earn a significant role in a relatively young bullpen if he has anything left. The Nationals have lacked a veteran arm to get big outs ahead of the closer in their playoff failures.
Burning question
Will the rotation be healthy enough?
Starting pitching has been the team’s strength since the Nationals began contending in 2012. This season shouldn’t be different, unless Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg aren’t healthy. Scherzer, the team’s ace the last two seasons, is dealing with a stress fracture in his knuckle that might keep him from starting opening day. Strasburg (69-41, 3.17 ERA, 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings in his career) had an elbow injury that ended his season in September. He has made 30 starts in two of his five full seasons.
If one or both are out, the rotation takes a significant hit. That could force a trade or get into the underbelly of A.J. Cole, Austin Voth and Erick Fedde. They’re good depth prospects, but only Cole (472⁄ innings) has pitched in the 3 majors.
The Nationals should be favorites to win the NL East again, but Strasburg’s absence in two of three recent playoff berths likely cost the team a postseason series win (or two or three).