Last week I stated that while Bryce Harper is the biggest storyline in Washington’s offseason plans, the biggest present team needs are a #3 starter, a starting catcher plus an elite setup reliever.  Wednesday I identified several mid-rotation pitchers to replace Gio Gonzalez, and Friday I named five catchers who could take over the starting role in 2019.

Today, our attention turns to the bullpen, and finding a high-quality reliever to lock down the 8^th inning and get the ball to closer Sean Doolittle.  The Nationals could re-sign in-house options Kelvin Herrera or Greg Holland, but if not, below are three free agents and three trade options to bolster Washington’s bullpen.

Free Agents

Jeurys Familia                    RHP        Oakland Athletics

A long-time stalwart in the Mets bullpen, Familia was traded midseason to Oakland and continued his stellar work, posting a 3.13 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched.  Aside from a difficult 2017 season, Familia has thrown 70+ innings in four of the past five seasons, with an ERA never higher than 3.13.  He will not lack for suitors this winter, but Washington would be wise to bring Familia to Washington to lock down the 8^th inning ahead of Sean Doolittle.

Adam Ottavino                  RHP        Colorado Rockies

After scuffling early in his career as a starter, Colorado shifted Ottavino to relief and he blossomed into one of the best setup men in baseball.  Last season Ottavino provided Colorado with a 2.43 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 77.2 innings pitched: these numbers are even more impressive considering he pitches half his games at Coors Field.  The almost 33-year-old will reach free agency for the first time this winter and will be one of the most coveted relievers on the market.

David Robertson               RHP        New York Yankees
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One of the most consistent relievers in baseball the past decade, Robertson again had a strong 2018 for the Yankees, throwing 69.2 innings with a 3.23 ERA and 91 strikeouts.  Robertson will be 34-year-old on Opening Day 2019 and has 650+ major league innings under his belt, making him a potentially risky investment on a multiyear pact.  However, he is as reliable as any reliever in baseball and his postseason experience, coupled with 137 career saves, would make him a terrific addition to Washington’s bullpen.

Trade Targets

Alex Colome        RHP        Seattle Mariners

After years of working as Tampa’s relief ace, Seattle acquired Colome this summer to strengthen their bullpen in front of elite closer Edwin Diaz.  The 29-year-old had a terrific 2018, throwing 68 innings with a 3.04 ERA and 72 strikeouts.  Colome might not be available this winter, as Seattle is neither rebuilding nor cutting payroll, but with a projected $7.3 million 2019 salary and two years of team control, they might market him to improve other areas of weakness.  If so, Washington should pounce on the opportunity to bring Colome to Washington.

Raisel Iglesias     RHP        Cincinnati Reds

Despite playing for mediocre teams the past several years, Iglesias has established himself as one of the better closers in baseball, posting a 2.97 ERA and 64 saves in his first four professional seasons.  Stuck in a small media market and in the midst of a rebuild, Cincinnati has a difficult decision whether or not to trade Iglesias, who has three years of team control remaining.  He will be expensive to acquire and will attract numerous suitors this winter, yet would be a perfect fit in Washington’s bullpen.

Nate Jones          RHP        Chicago White Sox

Somewhat stealthy, Nate Jones has been one of the better setup men in the American League the past several years, posting a 3.11 ERA and 308 strikeouts in 281 career innings pitched.  Unfortunately, the 32-year-old has battled injuries the past two seasons, limiting him to only 41.1 innings across 2017 and 2018.  He is scheduled to earn $4.65 million next season and is under contract through 2021, making him an appealing target in trade discussions this winter.  Chicago is still early into their rebuild and could seek to add additional prospect depth to their system.

Now that the leaves are beginning to fall and temperatures are dropping like new Kendrick Lamar tracks, the focus for Washington is rebuilding their roster to compete in 2019.  I stated in Wednesday’s column that the three biggest roster weaknesses Washington must address this winter are finding a #3 starting pitcher, a starting catcher and late-inning bullpen help.

Previously we attempted to find a starting pitcher to replace Gio Gonzalez; now today, I identify two free agents and three trade targets who should appeal to Washington in their attempt to find their next starting catcher.

Free Agents

Yasmani Grandal               Catcher                Los Angeles Dodgers

Grandal had another strong season in 2018 for Los Angeles, hitting .241/.349/.466 with 24 home runs.  For his 7-year major league career, Grandal is a .240/.341/.441 hitter and has the reputation as a quality defender and pitch framer behind the plate.  The almost 30-year-old has struggled both offensively and defensively this postseason, potentially suppressing his salary demands this offseason.  However, a switch-hitting catcher who has slugged 20+ home runs three consecutive seasons will be in high demand and should be a high priority for Washington this winter.

Wilson Ramos     Catcher                Philadelphia Phillies

Remember him?  Ramos suffered a catastrophic knee injury late in 2016 and needed most of 2017 to rehabilitate this injury.  He returned to full health this season and posted a tremendous first half, hitting .297/.346/.488 with 14 home runs.  Unfortunately the injury-prone Ramos again hit the disabled list midseason and only played 33 games in the second half. The Nationals are extremely familiar with the 31-year-old Ramos and Ramos knows the pitching staff and organization well, so a potential reunion this winter is only natural.

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Francisco Cervelli              Catcher                Pittsburgh Pirates

The almost 33-year-old Cervelli produced another strong season in 2018, posting a .259/.378/.431 batting line and 12 home runs.  But his $11.5 million salary for 2019, his final year under contract, combined with the emergence of Elias Diaz last season, could have the small market Pirates seeking to trade Cervelli this winter to redistribute his salary to other areas of need.  Cervelli would be a fantastic option if made available this winter.

Russell Martin    Catcher                Toronto Blue Jays

Like many of his teammates, Martin struggled through a difficult 2018, batting only .194/.338/.325 with 10 home runs, along with his typical solid work behind the plate.  The almost 36-year-old is still an above-average defensive catcher, with the ability to take a walk and hit the occasional home run.  Martin is under contract for one final season at $20 million, and with young catchers Danny Jansen and Reese McGuire awaiting an opportunity, the rebuilding Blue Jays should seek to move Martin this winter.  If Toronto is willing to pay a large part of his contract, he could be an option for Washington.

J.T. Realmuto     Catcher                Miami Marlins

Realmuto has been a much discussed trade target for every catching-needy team the past 18 months, as he is one of the best catchers in baseball playing for the languishing Marlins.  The 27-year-old just completed his best season in the majors, batting .277/.344/.484 with 21 home runs and 54 extra base hits.  In addition, he has a reputation as a quality defender and pitch framer.  With Realmuto under contract for only two more seasons, the Marlins should seek either a contract extension or to trade him this offseason.  Realmuto would be costly in terms of prospects, but represents perhaps the biggest single upgrade Washington could make to their team this winter.

Although the World Series is presently in full swing, it feels like an appropriate time to begin looking ahead to the offseason and rebuilding Washington’s roster for 2019.  Certainly the biggest question surrounding the Nationals involves whether or not Bryce Harper re-signs with the team, yet the team still has pressing needs at other positions.

Aside from Harper, the biggest weaknesses on the present roster are a need for a #3 starting pitcher, a starting catcher and late-inning bullpen help.  It can be argued the order of priority of these needs, but all three must be addressed this winter.

Therefore, in an effort to identify potential solutions to address these weaknesses, today’s article, and the following two, will highlight potential players Washington should target this winter.  First we shall look at the starting rotation, with three trade targets and three free agents who should appeal to Washington this offseason.

Free Agents

Patrick Corbin     LHP        Arizona Diamondbacks

Assuming Clayton Kershaw does not opt out of his contract this winter, Patrick Corbin likely holds the honor of “Top Free Agent Starting Pitcher” available this offseason.  A two-time All-Star, the 29-year-old Corbin posted a 3.15 ERA and 246 strikeouts this season in exactly 200 innings pitched.  The competition for his services will be steep, but General Manager Mike Rizzo has shown a fondness for former Diamondback players and Corbin would be an ideal fit behind Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg in Washington’s rotation.

Dallas Keuchel    LHP        Houston Astros

If Corbin is not the top starting pitcher available, then Keuchel is, as he is a former two-time All-Star and the 2015 AL CY Young award winner.  The 30-year-old had another solid season in 2018, posting a 3.74 ERA and 211 strikeouts over 204.2 innings pitched.  Houston will be aggressive to retain his services, but if he leaves the Astros, Keuchel would be an ideal replacement for Gio Gonzalez as a left-handed #3 starter in the rotation.

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After scuffling early in his career, the 34-year-old Morton found himself as a pitcher in his late twenties and has developed into a solid mid-rotation starter in his thirties.  Quietly the past two seasons, Morton made 55 starts for the Astros and provided Houston with a 3.36 ERA, a 10.4 K/9 ratio verses a 3.3 BB/9 rate and a 49.6 ground-ball percentage.  He has never thrown more than 172 innings in a season and is reaching his mid-thirties, which should help suppress his salary demands this winter.  If Washington is looking for a more economical option, Morton could be a nice option to bolster Washington’s rotation.

Trade Targets

Madison Bumgarner        LHP        San Francisco Giants

Much like the entire San Francisco roster, 2018 was a difficult year for Bumgarner, who battled injuries while posting a 3.26 ERA over only 129.2 innings pitched.  Initial gut reaction, it is difficult to see Bumgarner in another uniform, but he is only signed through 2019 and next season looks like a rebuilding year for the Giants.  It would be difficult for San Francisco to part with their co-Franchise player, but the prudent move will be trading Bumgarner this winter to jumpstart their rebuilding efforts.

Sonny Gray          RHP        New York Yankees

Yankees’ General Manager Brian Cashman stated in a recent interview he would look to shop Gray this winter, after he struggled mightily in New York last season with a 4.90 ERA.  However, a closer look at his numbers shows he posted a 6.98 ERA over 59.1 innings at home verses a 3.17 ERA in 71 innings on the road, giving credence that Gray is yet another player who struggled playing for New York.  He has one year left on his contract and is projected to earn around $9 million next season.  Gray would be a logical fit in the middle of Washington’s rotation, as he would be for probably 20+ teams, as a rebound candidate in 2019.

Marcus Stroman               RHP        Toronto Blue Jays

Originally drafted by Washington in 2009, Stroman could quietly be a trade candidate this winter following a subpar season for the rebuilding Blue Jays.  After establishing himself as one of the top young starting pitchers in the American League, Stroman struggled to a 5.54 ERA in 102.1 innings last season while spending time on the disabled list.  Stroman is under contract for two more seasons and is projected to earn around $7 million next season.  Toronto might be wise to shop him this winter in hopes of improving their farm system and cutting future payroll.