The Washington Nationals finished with the second-best win total in the major leagues a year ago but it wasn’t enough to save their season from being a disappointment. Washington’s 95 wins were eight more than the New York Mets for the most in the National League East but were followed by another early postseason exit as they once again fell short of their World Series expectations. We saw the Nats start to fade in the second half of the season and that ultimately made their playoff demise quite predictable. The Nationals kept their core in place in the offseason and made some small tweaks that they hope will put them over the top in 2017. But is this team ready to do so? Their window of opportunity is open but they have to finally execute in the playoffs or major changes could be coming. As spring training approaches, here is our preview of the Washington Nationals.
Key Additions: CF Adam Eaton, C Derek Norris, 1B/OF Adam Lind
Key Losses: P Lucas Giolito, P Reynaldo Lopez, C Wilson Ramos, 2B Wilson Espinoza, OF Ben Revere
Strengths
Washington is absolutely stacked across the board with a deep cast of talent in terms of their pitching, offense and defense. Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg have the potential to be a dominant 1-2 tandem while Tanner Roark, Gio Gonzalez and Joe Ross offer promise filling out the remainder of the rotation. Meanwhile, Bryce Harper should bounce back after struggling by his elite standards a year ago and any improvement should have a major impact on the team’s offense. Adam Eaton, Derek Norris and Adam Lind were added to provide depth to a solid group that already features Harper, Jayson Werth and Daniel Murphy while the sky is the limit for promising prospect Trea Turner. The Rookie of the Year runner-up has All-Star potential and could help put the Nationals over the top in 2017. This team got a taste of playing success by reaching the NLCS a year ago so there should be no doubt that they will be all-in in 2017.
Weaknesses
Health has been an issue for Washington in each of the past couple of seasons and they will need to avoid the injury bug in order to contend for a World Series. Scherzer is recovering from a stress fracture in his back while Strasburg is working his way back from a partial tendon tear in his right elbow that sidelined him late last season. The Nationals need their elite players to stay healthy and there is no guarantee that will happen. Washington is very deep but they still need their elite talents to perform to their potential in order to legitimately contend for a World Series title.
2017 Washington Nationals Depth Chart
| Catcher | Derek Norris | Jose Lobaton | Pedro Severino | Spencer Kieboom | |
| First Base | Ryan Zimmerman | Clint Robinson | Daniel Murphy | ||
| Second Base | Daniel Murphy | Stephen Drew | Trea Turner | ||
| Third Base | Anthony Rendon | Stephen Drew | Wilmer Difo | ||
| Shortstop | Trea Turner | Stephen Drew | Wilmer Difo | ||
| Left Field | Jayson Werth | Clint Robinson | Chris Heisey | ||
| Center Field | Adam Eaton | Trea Turner | Michael Taylor | ||
| Right Field | Bryce Harper | Clint Robinson | Brian Goodwin | Chris Heisey | |
| Starting Pitcher | Max Scherzer | Stephen Strasburg | Gio Gonzalez | Tanner Roark | Joe Ross |
| Relief Pitcher | Shawn Kelley | Blake Treinen | Koda Glover | Sammy Solis | Oliver Perez |
| Closer | Mark Melancon |
Projected Win Total: 90.5
World Series Odds: +1300
Outlook
Any improvement from Harper combined with Turner’s arrival could help put the Nationals offense over the top, especially when you consider the key additions they made to fill out their roster in the offseason. Washington didn’t lose any major pieces but they do have reason to be concerned about the health of some of their stars including Scherzer and Strasburg in particular. If those two can stay healthy then the Nationals will have a good shot at matching last year’s 95 wins or even slightly improving on that mark. However, the ultimate goal for this year remains winning a World Series so this season will be considered another bust if they fall short of that lofty goal.
Prediction: 97-65
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