The calendar has reached November and with the Boston Red Sox championship parade finally complete (I think), each organization is now completely focused on the offseason and preparing their teams for 2014. The early rumors have the Nationals seeking to acquire a front-line starting pitcher like Tampa Bay’s David Price or Detroit’s Max Scherzer to pair with Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg, and Jordan Zimmermann. Of course, for those two superstars, the competition will be fierce as every team in baseball would be wise to investigate bringing those Aces to their organizations.
That said today I wanted to focus on a few smaller, and perhaps more realistic, trade options that could bolster Washington’s roster in 2014. The Nationals’ biggest apparent weaknesses at this point is a lack of a consistent #4 starting pitcher, needing a quality left-handed relief pitcher, and a veteran bench bat. After scouring other team’s rosters and considering their offseason needs as well, here are three plausible trades I hope the Nationals pursue this offseason.
#1 Washington trades second baseman Danny Espinosa to the Toronto Blue Jays for left-handed reliever Brett Cecil
As discussed in an article last week, there is an excellent chance Espinosa finds himself a member of another organization next spring, as Rendon has surpassed him on the depth chart at second base. The Nationals lack of left-handed relievers last season hurt them, and general manager Mike Rizzo has mentioned this as an area in need of improvement.
Toronto is desperately seeking an upgrade at second base this offseason, and might value Espinosa’s strong throwing arm on their home turf infield, his ability to play shortstop in the event of a Jose Reyes’ injury, and team-friendly contract. These two teams have little history of making trades, but this swap could conceivably fill glaring needs for the other organization.
#2 Nationals send right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy
The Nationals are in need of another established starting pitcher and the Diamondbacks enter this offseason desperately seeking a closer. Conversely, Washington has depth in the bullpen as Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen are capable of closing and Arizona has an apparent surplus of potential starting pitchers.
Financially this trade could also possibly work, as Soriano is signed for $11 million in 2014 with a club option for 2015, and McCarthy is scheduled to make $9 million in the final year of his two-year contract. Although some money (or a minor player) might need to be included to be fiscally viable, this trade is worth exploring as it could quickly fill the biggest weaknesses on each roster this winter.
#3 Washington ships right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus and right-handed pitching prospect Aaron Barrett to the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Ryan Doumit
Finally, the Nationals need a veteran bench hitter, preferably someone who bats left-handed, with power and some positional versatility – Ryan Doumit fits this description, as a 32-year-old switch hitter who can play catcher, first base, and both corner outfield positions, though he is considered a poor defensive player.
In the final year of a 3-year $10.5 million dollar contract, Doumit is scheduled to make $3.5 million in 2014. Since the Twins are expected to struggle again next season, as they await the maturation of their many high-profile prospects, clearing $3.5 million from their payroll and adding two young pitchers could appeal to the rebuilding Twins.