(according to an unemployed person who has never worked in a sports front office, because this is the internet, people)
The baseball offseason is underway and, well, right now it’s at a very slow simmer. The top free agent on the market is Robinson Cano, but with his sights (at age 31) set on $300 million, the bidding war will only be between the Yankees and Cano. I’d guess that he ends up with 8 years/$210 million with New York. The only team I can see sneaking in to sign him is in Los Angeles, but it isn’t the Dodgers (okay, they’re technically in Anaheim, which is nearly as far from Dodger Stadium as Camden Yards is from Nationals Park, but go with me here).
Hey, speaking of Nationals Park….
By any set of expectations, the Washington Nationals were the most disappointing team in 2013. As it turned out, they were not invincible. Injuries hampered them. Regression wafted over the locker room. And the bullpen imploded repeatedly.
If the 2014 Nationals are going to get back on the contention track, they need to shake things up. They have already hired first-time manager Matt Williams to drive the train. Williams was not my favorite candidate. I would have much preferred to see Charlie Manuel on South Capitol Street, but chances are, after being managed by a near-octogenarian for the previous 2 seasons, they wanted to go young in the managerial office. Williams will bring his Arizona Diamondbacks Grit™ to Washington. I’m not sure how that will work. But we’ll see.
Now that the managerial hole is filled, there are ten things I’d like to see happen during this offseason. They probably need to happen in this order:
1. Trade Adam LaRoche
LaRoche’s trade value is very low. He’ll earn $12 million in 2014 (there’s a mutual option for 2015 that will not be mutually agreed upon). I see no reason to keep LaRoche around for another season, because he is stunting the growth of a number of players. His mere presence limits what the Nationals can do. So eat half of his salary, bring back a low-to-mid tier A-ball pitcher, and proceed onward. Tampa Bay makes some sense, as they’re in dire need of a power-hitting first baseman.
2. Move Ryan Zimmerman to First Base
Does Ryan Zimmerman want to move to first base? I don’t know. I’d guess that he doesn’t. But if Ryan Zimmerman wants to help this team win a World Series, he has to acknowledge that a move across the diamond helps this team more than his whirling-dervish throws from third base will.
Every advanced metric shows that Zimmerman was a disaster at 3B last year. Science teaches us that we, as humans, do not ever get younger. With that knowledge, it’s a safe assumption that the ailments and injuries that we accrue don’t just get better. Zimmerman’s shoulder is a mess. Moving him to first base means far fewer throws across the diamond, unless the 3-5 putout becomes en vogue.
3. Move Anthony Rendon Back To His Natural Position at Third Base
This is self-explanatory. Rendon has a long-term ankle issue. He was fortunate enough to not take a slide to his ankle while playing second base last year. He belongs at third and with Ryan Zimmerman across the diamond, that can happen.
4. Fill The Void At Second Base With Danny Espinosa
At least for now. Look, Robinson Cano isn’t walking through that door, nor, as a Nats fan, do I want him to. Cano will cost far too much money.
Danny Espinosa’s 2013 was a disaster that landed him in Syracuse. My hope is that a new manager and perhaps some new perspective will turn him into less of a liability at the plate. Because in the field, he’s very good.
5. Sign Jordan Zimmermann To A Long-Term Deal
It’s going to cost a lot of money, but it’s absolutely imperative for the Nats to keep Zimmermann in DC. He’s the best pitcher on the staff. If you want to argue that Stephen Strasburg is, you don’t watch a lot of Nats games. Zimmermann’s second half was a few steps behind his first half, but all told, his 2013 was good enough to call him a front-line starter. He should be paid like one. His contract expires in two years. He should be extended, at least, 6 years/$90 million. I’d go higher too.
6. Trade Ian Desmond
Ian Desmond’s contract is also up in two years. He is, right now, the best shortstop in the National League. He’s won the previous two Silver Slugger awards (say what you’d like about that) and was a Gold Glove finalist (see previous aside) in 2013. His defense has greatly improved. He went through a defensive slump at the start of the year, but he put it together.
At the plate, Desmond is inarguably the best SS in the National League (we are assuming that Troy Tulowitzki is hurt, because, of course he is). He’s hit 20+ homers each of the last two season and he’s improved his on-base pct to a respectable .330 level.
So, why trade him?
Well, he’ll be very expensive to extend. More expensive than Zimmermann. Elvis Andrus, a lesser player than Ian Desmond, was extended by the Rangers to the tune of $15 million per season through 2022. Desmond’s value is never going to be higher than it is right now. I firmly believe he can be the centerpiece of a trade that will bring back a solid number 2 starter (think Jeff Samardzija). And if Detroit is willing to listen on Max Scherzer (as the rumors insist they are), well, Ian Desmond’s not a bad place to start.
7. Acquire Jurickson Profar. Make Him The Starting Shortstop
Lucas Giolito and AJ Cole for Profar. Texas can’t say no to that. Is it a lot to give up? Absolutely. Do I think Profar is worth it? Absolutely.
8. Take a Flier on Josh Johnson
He’ll be a cheap free agent with a lot of injury concerns. So you give him a one-year deal with a player option at about $5 or $6 million per year and hope that there’s something left in his arm tank. Yes, arm tank.
9. Listen on Denard Span
It’s worth listening. Maybe start the Texas Rangers off with Giolito and Span for Profar. Include Nate Karns in that. Maybe Texas likes the idea of having a true starting centerfielder and not Julio Borbon.
Span seems like a nice fellow, but I want an outfield made up of guys who get on base. Bryce Harper can play centerfield. Move him over to center field and…
10. Back The Brinks Truck Up To Shin-Soo Choo’s House
Mike Rizzo: “Shin-Soo, what will it take to get you to Washington and in left field?
Choo: “(A number and year)”
Mike Rizzo: “Great. Sign here.”
Choo is a good enough defensive corner outfielder, but that’s not why I covet him. He is the true leadoff hitter that this team needs. He would be an excellent fit in this lineup. Is signing him the top offseason priority? Probably not down on South Capitol Street. But if the cash is there (it is), and you can make the above moves happen to open the space for Choo, why not do this? Why not?
Bonus: Bring Michael Morse back as a pinch-hitter at a low cost. Just do it. For me. I love nostalgia. And I love A-Ha.
My Ideal Opening Day Lineup:
LF: Shin-Soo Choo
3B: Anthony Rendon
CF: Bryce Harper
1B: Ryan Zimmerman
RF: Jayson Werth
C: Wilson Ramos
SS: Jurickson Profar
2B: Danny Espinosa
P: Stephen Strasburg
Mid-Atlantic Bias 