The Washington Nationals overcame all the odds to win the 2019 World Series. Their reward for one of the most historic runs in MLB history? Potentially losing two of their best players and franchise mainstays.
General manager Mike Rizzo has his work cut out for him as he prepares to make the necessary moves to help the Nationals defend their title next season. Both Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg are officially free agents after declining the qualifying offer, and they are going to be two of the most sought-after prospects on the market this winter.
Whereas Rendon's market is somewhat unclear because of the number of teams involved as well as the amount of years on any potential deal–Rendon alluded to retiring in his mid-30s in a story by Rustin Dodd of The Athletic–but there is more optimism, as far as Strasburg is concerned.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com joined the crew of “High Heat” and suggested that he would not be surprised if Strasburg reached a deal to return to the Nationals before the start of the Winter Meetings.
Although Rizzo would certainly love to bring back both of his stars, there are no guarantees in free agency.
Having established that Rendon and Strasburg are both the priorities in Washington, here are three other ideal free agents that could fit the mold for the Nationals should they miss out on either star.
3. Will Harris
Might the Nationals look to pilfer Harris from the Houston Astros after he dominated them for the better part of the World Series. It is certainly possible.
Washington is losing Daniel Hudson and Fernando Rodney to free agency, and the bullpen is clearly still an area that needs shoring up this winter. Harris might be the marquee reliever on the market now that Will Smith is in Atlanta, but the Nationals might make the most sense.
Harris is even more dominant against left-handed hitters than he is against righties. Opponents hitting from the left side posted a .490 OPS against Harris. He can be deployed at any time in the game for multiple innings of work, and the Nationals need a guy that can bail them out of high-leverage situations.
Most notably, the 35-year-old is unlikely to receive more than a two- or three-year deal given the volatile nature of relievers on the market. The Nationals should pounce.
2. Ryan Zimmerman
It only makes sense that the Nationals would bring back the first draft pick in franchise history. Zimmerman has only played in 137 games in the last two years, combined. However, manager Dave Martinez's decision to make him the starter at first base provided a critical shift in Washington's postseason run.
Zimmerman was an All-Star in 2017. He was a very effective hitter in 2018 before he got injured. He proved that he still has plenty of gas in the tank this past October.
The Nationals made the obvious decision to decline Zimmerman's $18 million option for 2020, but the veteran said as far back as July that he would be willing to play on a series of cheap, one-year deals.
Washington could sign Zimmerman and bring back Matt Adams and the total payroll hit would likely be well under the $18 million that Zimm would have otherwise made this season. That could be crucial in giving Washington the flexibility to re-sign Rendon or Strasburg or pursue other big-name free agents.
Not to mention, they are getting a professional hitter and a guy who has become one of the better defensive first basemen in baseball.
1. Josh Donaldson
If Rendon is headed out of Washington, why not try to sign Donaldson?
Not only did Donaldson post a .900 OPS with 37 homers last season, but he also ranked second among all third basemen–behind only Matt Chapman of the Oakland Athletics–in terms of defensive runs saved at the third base position (15).
Donaldson may not be quite the same hitter as Rendon, but he is incredibly disciplined and has power to all fields. He was a major run-producer in Atlanta, and manager Brian Snitker said that he set the tone in the clubhouse.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that Donaldson's name was mentioned “as much as anybody” at the GM meetings, so he is sure to have a big market.
But if the Nationals strike out on Rendon, they should turn their sights towards Donaldson. Similarly to Harris, he is unlikely to receive more than three or four years on any given contract, and he is still one of the best corner infielders in baseball.
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