Here we go again for one last series with the Nationals. The pre-season division favorite has been a disappointment this year and it seems that a team loaded with All-Stars that won the division four out of the last six years will not only miss the playoffs, but may be coming to an organizational crossroads. Daniel Murphy and Gio Gonzalez are already gone, Bryce Harper will be a free agent and Anthony Rendon will be entering his final year of arbitration. Back loaded contracts for Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg will eat up much of their payroll the next few seasons. Do you think they’ll be able to retool around their two big arms and be able to compete next year?
Rendon
Turner
Soto
Robles
thats not bad to add to the pitching.
I wouldnt bank on their demise. Also, Im thinking Harper stays in DC. The Lerner’s could pay him anything, and let face it, the 400M$ guy is a lot closer to 150M$ now, so he’s affordable.
If they bring back Harper that will give them 3 monster long term contracts and it will make it impossible to keep Rendon or fill their many other holes – rotation, catcher, 2b, 1b
Maybe this year will make the baseball world appreciate Dusty Baker a little more. I know everyone always complains about his pen management but it’s funny how good teams seem to follow him around. He won a division title with all four clubs that he managed and six times he led teams to 95 or more wins. He won 90 or more games three times in four years with the Reds. When’s the next time you think that will happen?
Brian,
Excellent point. When the Nats hired Dusty, I was very concerned. And, when they failed to retain him inexplicably after 2 division titles in two seasons, I was relieved. I don’t know Dusty from a stranger, and every manager makes head scratching moves, but all he does is win. Very undertated, and barring that crazy Bartman play, would have had the Cubs in the series before Theo. Nats still have talent but not as worrisome without Dusty.
A great interview in Fangraphs by Mickey Callaway. David Klein posted it on MMO:
https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-managers-perspective-mickey-callaway-on-his-first-year-in-the-big-apple/
Just a feeling,just a hunch but I’m thinking the Mets sign one of Donaldson,McCutcheon or Murphy. Hope I’m wrong bUt think that’s their big move.