2020 Nationals season preview: Can the champs repeat?
The Washington Nationals are very ready to get their championship defense underway, and they remain in a good position to chase back-to-back titles.
The biggest change for Washington is the departure of Anthony Rendon, who left for the Los Angeles Angels in free agency and opened up third base for top prospect Carter Kieboom. Ryan Zimmerman - a fixture since the team moved to D.C. in 2005 - is also gone after opting out of the season, and it will be a weird sight when the Nats take the field without him. But the core of the world champions remains intact with Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin still sitting atop the rotation.
By no means is this a perfect team - but then, neither was last year's improbable championship squad. The Nationals should be in contention all season and finishing out of the playoffs would constitute a major disappointment, even in light of the circumstances.
2020 Breakdown
2019 record: 93-69 (2nd in NL East)
Payroll: $193,747,709
Projected record: 32-28 (2nd)
World Series odds: +1500
3-year trend: 2017 (1st); 2018 (2nd); 2019 (2nd)
Key addition: Will Harris
Key subtraction: Anthony Rendon
Highest projected WAR: Max Scherzer (1.9)
X-factor: Carter Kieboom
Prospect to watch: Kieboom
Winter report card: B
Projected Lineup
| Order | Player | Pos. | Proj. WAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trea Turner | SS | 1.5 |
| 2 | Adam Eaton (L) | RF | 0.7 |
| 3 | Juan Soto (L) | LF | 1.8 |
| 4 | Howie Kendrick | DH | 0.4 |
| 5 | Eric Thames (L) | 1B | 0.1 |
| 6 | Starlin Castro | 2B | 0.4 |
| 7 | Carter Kieboom | 3B | 0.8 |
| 8 | Yan Gomes | C | 0.4 |
| 9 | Victor Robles | CF | 0.7 |
Bench
| Player | Position | Proj. WAR |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt Suzuki | C | 0.2 |
| Asdrubal Cabrera (S) | DH | 0.3 |
| Wilmer Difo (S) | IF | 0.0 |
| Emilio Bonifacio (S) | IF | 0.0 |
| Jake Noll | IF | 0.0 |
| Michael A. Taylor | OF | 0.0 |
*Bold indicates player acquired during offseason
Most of last year's championship lineup, minus Rendon and Zimmerman, is back for another kick at the can. Thames was supposed to platoon with Zimmerman at first, but he'll get the everyday job thanks to the latter opting out. Kieboom, the Nats' top prospect, has some big shoes to fill stepping in for Rendon at the hot corner, and much will depend on his ability to grow as a big leaguer. Kendrick might be slotted in at DH, but last year's NLCS MVP provides tremendous versatility; in the field, he can play first, second, third, and a little corner outfield if needed. Soto and Kendrick reported to camp late after missing time for undisclosed reasons.
Rotation
| Pitcher | Throws | Proj. ERA |
|---|---|---|
| Max Scherzer | R | 3.43 |
| Stephen Strasburg | R | 3.74 |
| Patrick Corbin | L | 3.72 |
| Anibal Sanchez | R | 5.23 |
| Erick Fedde | R | 4.85 |
Starting pitching remains the Nats' strength and a major reason why they'll once again be in the running for a championship. Scherzer, Strasburg, and Corbin are still as fearsome a trio of starters as you'll find anywhere. While Sanchez and Fedde aren't the strongest back-end duo, there's less pressure on them to be great thanks to their rotation-mates.
Bullpen
| Pitcher | Throws | Proj. ERA |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Hudson | R | 4.56 |
| Sean Doolittle | L | 4.24 |
| Will Harris | R | 3.72 |
| Tanner Rainey | R | 3.92 |
| Javy Guerra | R | 4.97 |
| Aaron Barrett | R | 4.82 |
| Ryne Harper | R | 4.24 |
| Roenis Elias | L | 4.93 |
| Austin Voth | R | 4.42 |
| Sam Freeman | L | 4.69 |
| Kyle McGowin | R | 3.95 |
No longer a total Achilles' heel, the Nationals' bullpen was boosted by the addition of Harris over the winter. Harris was out with an injury when spring training shut down, but he's ready to go for the shortened season. Hudson, who recorded the final out of the World Series, re-signed and now anchors the back of the 'pen with Doolittle. It's not the deepest bullpen behind the big arms, but Washington's quality starting pitching helps nullify that weakness.
Key injuries/Absences
| Player | Position | Absence |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Zimmerman | 1B/DH | Opted out |
| Joe Ross | SP | Opted out |
| Welington Castillo | C | Opted out |
| Wander Suero | RP | Undisclosed |
(Projected WAR/ERA source: FanGraphs)