#13
The Washington Nationals watched the face of their franchise leave through free agency over the offseason, however some think they might be better for it. Will that be the case, or will the Nats take a step backward in 2019?
2018 Predictions
1st in NL East, lose in NLDS
2018 Results
82-80, 2nd in NL East
The Nationals have ruled this division for most of this decade, winning the division more times than not. However, after two straight years of winning the division under Dusty Baker, they made a switch at manager hoping it would get them over the hump. I predicted they would have a similar result as years past by winning the division but losing in the first round of the playoffs. I didn't think any division competitors were going to be strong enough to challenge them. I was wrong on several accounts. First, the division was much more competitive than anyone thought. Second, the Nats finished with their lowest win total since 2011. For rookie manager Dave Martinez, 2018 was quite a disappointment.
Additions / Subtractions
What made 2018 a bigger disappointment was they couldn't make a good postseason run in Bryce Harper's last season in DC. He moved on, signing his mega-deal in Philadelphia. However, they didn't overreact and try to sign a different mega-deal to replace him. They did sign the top free agent pitcher though in Patrick Corbin to join an already stout rotation. He will take the place of departing Tanner Roark in the rotation. The other moves were more minor but effective. Out went catcher Matt Wieters, but in came Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki. Veteran Brian Dozier was brought in to take second base. Trevor Rosenthal and Kyle Barraclough were brought in to stabilize the back end of the bullpen. So even though they may have lost Harper, the offseason looks like a mild success considering what they did accomplish.
Most Important Hitter
Juan Soto
One of the reasons the Nationals were okay watching Bryce Harper walk away from the organziation was the breakout season of Juan Soto. At only 19, Juan Soto had a breakout season, coming up second in the Rookie of the Year race losing to the Braves Ronald Acuna. Establishing another potential superstar in Soto made keeping their current one in Harper not quite as necessary. However, that is a lot of pressure for the now 20 year old. The sophomore slump is a real thing, but he can't have one. He will be asked to continue to progress in to a superstar while taking up the mantle of "face of the franchise" that Harper left behind.
Most Important Pitcher
Sean Doolittle
Talk about a trade that worked out well for both sides! In 2017, Sean Doolittle was traded from the A's to the Nationals for Blake Treinen. I think both teams are happy with the results. Treinen has become one of the most dominant closers in the league, and Doolittle has continued his strong production when he is on the field. That is the problem though. Doolittle has a tendency to get injured. When he is healthy, there are few better, especially from the left hand side. However, the Nats need him on the field for a full season. The additions to the bullpen will be helpful insurance, but Doolittle is the one they want out there with the game on the line every day.
Prospect to Watch
Victor Robles
Reason #2 why the Nationals were okay watching Bryce Harper leave: Victor Robles. Robles is the 4th best prospect in all of baseball behind only Vlad Jr., Tatis Jr., and Eloy Jimenez. This 21 year old centerfielder is ready to break out, having made his debut last season in 21 games, but he was going to be without a spot in their outfield if Bryce came back. Now, he will be patrolling center on Opening Day and is the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year entering the season.
2019 Prediction
3rd in NL East
I think the Nationals will actually be better this year than they were last year. The problem is their division is a lot better than it was last year. Their record should be slightly better than the .500 record they boasted last season, but they will be falling further behind in the standings with those around them getting that much better. With the high expectations in DC though, no playoffs will be a huge disappointment for the second straight year.
Fearless Prediction
Manager Dave Martinez will be managing the Cubs in 2020.
The Nationals have been infamously impatient with their managers. No Nationals manager has made it to three seasons since their first manager in DC, the late great Frank Robinson. Every other manager either gets fired after two seasons or partway through their third. Dave Martinez is entering that dreaded second season as the Nationals manager. Dusty Baker was fired after two season of winning the division. Dave Martinez will have no chance if he goes two straight seasons missing the playoffs altogether. Combine that with the likely scenario that Joe Maddon is probably in his last season with the Cubs, and it seems like an obvious move for Dave Martinez, Maddon's former bench coach, to go back and manage the Cubs next season.
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