Now that the World Series is complete (Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants), the time has come to begin reshaping the Washington Nationals roster in hopes of capturing next year’s championship. General Manager Mike Rizzo has shown a propensity to improve the roster via trades in recent years, Doug Fister, Denard Span, and Gio Gonzalez specifically come to mind, rather than free agency. With this in mind, these are five specific players the Nationals front office should target this winter to help return Washington to the playoffs in 2015.
Jason Kipnis 2B Cleveland Indians
A longshot on the surface, Kipnis would be a near ideal fit for the Nationals second base position long-term, as the 27-year-old second baseman bats left-handed, can hit atop the lineup, and is signed through 2020. So why would Kipnis be expendable? From Cleveland’s perspective, Kipnis disappointed this season, batting .240/.310/.330 after his breakout 2013 season, which saw him post a .818 OPS and achieve his 1st all-star appearance. Cleveland could fear 2013 was an anomaly and could seek to reallocate his $49.5 million extension on another team.
In addition, Cleveland has two excellent young middle infielders in current shortstop Jose Ramirez and rising phenom Francisco Lindor. The Indians could use Mike Aviles, Ryan Raburn, and Zach Walters to cover for Kipnis at second in 2015 until Lindor is promoted and Ramirez permanently shifts to the keystone. Considering the Indians’ limited payroll and long-term obligations to Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher, perhaps the right offer could tempt Cleveland to part with Kipnis.
Hypothetical Offer: A.J. Cole, Reynaldo Lopez, and Austin Voth for Jason Kipnis
Cliff Pennington 2B/SS Arizona Diamondbacks
Perhaps not the sexiest hypothetical acquisition, but if the Nationals fail to land a permanent solution at second base, Pennington could provide a reasonably good platoon partner for Danny Espinosa and as a backup behind Ian Desmond. Arizona has tremendous current depth in the middle infield, and with Pennington scheduled to earn $3.3 million in his final year of arbitration, the Diamondbacks are likely to part with Pennington this offseason for a pitcher or a low-level prospect.
Hypothetical Offer: Ross Detwiler for Cliff Pennington
Juan Francisco 1B/3B Toronto Blue Jays
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Francisco is a flawed player but hits right-handed pitching well (career .786 OPS) and can passibly play both infield corner positions. The 27-year-old is projected to earn about $2 million this year in his first year of arbitration, and with the presence of Edwin Encarnacion, Justin Smoak, and Danny Valencia currently on Toronto’s roster, Francisco should be readily available in trade discussions.
Hypothetical Offer: Tony Renda for Juan Francisco
Kevin Quackenbush RHP San Diego Padres
I expect the Nationals to shake up the back of their bullpen this offseason, as stalwarts Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen are scheduled to earn $15+ million in 2015. Considering Storen’s shaky results in the playoffs and Clippard’s impeding free agency in 2016, the Nationals should look to acquire one or more young, cost-controlled relief pitchers this winter – specifically a reliever with strong strikeout numbers and who limits walks and home runs. A long-time favorite of mine since watching him in college at South Florida, Quackenbush would be a perfect addition to the Nationals’ relief corps.
San Diego is expected to entertain offers this winter for their relievers, but they would be more eager to part with veteran Joaquin Benoit and his $8 million salary in 2015 rather than the pre-arbitration Quackenbush. However the Padres have an outstanding track record of developing quality relief pitchers, and could look to trade a reliever for offensive talent.
Hypothetical Offer: Steven Souza and Rafael Bautista for Kevin Quackenbush
Antonio Bastardo LHP Philadelphia Phillies
A long-time thorn in Washington’s side, Bastardo has established himself as one of the best left-handed relievers in the National League. Bastardo’s walk rate is slightly higher than optimal, but he is scheduled to make about $2.75 million in 2015 and would more than suitably replace Clippard as the Nationals set-up man next season. Certainly the Phillies would be hesitant to trade within the division, but considering Bastardo is under contract for only 1 more season and Philadelphia desperately needs an infusion of prospects, the Phillies would be wise to take the best package of talent for Bastardo.
Hypothetical Offer: Jake Johansen and Austin Voth for Antonio Bastardo
Your hypothetical trades remind us that even players still in low A ball are
Commodities.
That Kipnis deal is like the Colon for three All- Stars else where besides Montreal for Colon. A deal one talks about after 8 years.
Francisco and either Kipnis or Pennington ( this should be Rizzo’s choice since he loves to draft out of
Texas with his Midwest cross checker) ( lol!) helps a bench which would be better enforced with your next top 5 list – non $roster invitees – lead off by
Ryan Doumit and Lyle Overbay.
Yes, a three for one deal for Kipnis would be laying it on the line with window closing by 17-18 coupled with
The MASN litigation with Angelos
And bean counters @ the rizzo gate??
Who then would be replacing Cole , Voth and Lopez in top arms behind Fedde? Yes, June draft 1 st rounder and 2 second rounders. Helps.
Kipnis trade: *wayyy* too much. A #2 projected starter, a back-end rotation guy and a 99-mph throwing middle reliever for him? His 2014 OPS was .640. Espinosa’s was .634 and we already have him and he’s not going to cost more than a couple million bucks AND he’s significantly better defensively. Even if you argue that he’s not a .640 OPS guy but that he’s assured of going back to his 2013 season, he isn’t worth all three of these prospects.
Anyone for Detwiler: who is trading anything for him right now? Wasted in 2014 as a useless mop-up guy, arb-eligible, no options. I think he’s getting non-tendered and someone can sign him as a FA.
Also don’t like either trade for a reliever. Yes I agree the nats may need to shore up the bullpen, but sacrificing prospects of the quality and potential of Souza, Voth and Johanssen isn’t the way to do it. Why not just wait a year when Johanssen (confined to the bullpen with his 100mph capabilities) suddenly is a cheaper, better, more controllable middle reliever arm?
Jeff and Todd,
Thanks for reading and commenting… It’s rare when making hypothetical trades that people think you are parting with too much talent – if nothing else I hope it shows these articles I write are not fantasy baseball or video game trades to me.
Certainly Kipnis had a poor season, but I still believe in the talent – while he may not be the .818 OPS of 2013, he’s not a .640 guy either. Right now, until Lindor arrives, it could be argued Kipnis is their franchise player, and he is signed team friendly for 5 years. Cleveland would rightly want a ransom for him.
As for the package in return, I think you might be overvaluing the talent we are sending back to Cleveland. I love Cole, but think he settles in more as a #3/4 than a #2 – I think of J-Zimm as a #2 and don’t think Cole has that ceiling. Lopez is an interesting prospect, as his velocity spiked this season after some mechanical adjustments – sounds a lot like Robbie Ray from 2013, whom wisely Rizzo sold high on as a prospect. Finally, Voth is a quality arm, but not the type that should scare you out of a deal – he’s a MLB’er either as a #4/5 or a 7th/8th inning (more likely).
Thanks for commenting guys, and I hope we can keep the banter going all offseason.