So... to recap what we’ve been saying all offseason, as the Winter Meetings begin, the Washington Nationals are likely in the market for a bullpen arm (preferably right-handed) and maybe a lefty if you don’t buy GM Mike Rizzo’s stated comfort with the southpaws he has on the roster (Sammy Solis, Matt Grace, Enny Romero, and closer Sean Doolittle).
A couple right-handers have already signed with Brandon Morrow going to the Chicago Cubs on what is reportedly a 2-year/$10-$11M deal, and Luke Gregorson inking what is reportedly a 2-year/$11M deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. There are plenty of bullpen options out there, however. Where will Rizzo turn?
The Nationals need to bolster the bench, after losing Adam Lind, Stephen Drew, Howie Kendrick and more to free agency, and they could use a left-handed hitting outfielder who can play first base and back up Ryan Zimmerman, and an outfield bat, most likely, if they don’t reunite with Lind (who did both) after he signed with the Nationals late last offseason and had a big season on the bench in D.C.
Adam Eaton, Michael A. Taylor, and Bryce Harper left-to-right, Brian Goodwin as the fourth outfielder... what will Rizzo add to the mix?
Where do you stand on the catching corps?
Do you think either Pedro Severino or Raudy Read are ready to split time with veteran catcher Matt Wieters (who’s back for another year at $10.5M), or do Rizzo and Co. in the Nationals’ front office need to find another backstop capable of playing on a regular basis since the plan is reportedly to have Wieters play less this season to maximize his production.
Will the Nationals add depth to their starting corps behind back-to-back NL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, and Tanner Roark or will Rizzo do something Rizzo-ish and strengthen a strength with flashier a signing or trade?
Shohei Ohtani signed with the LA Angels, Giancarlo Stanton is a New York Yankee. Will those two moves get things rolling in Orlando?
We’ll be tracking the news out of Florida for the next few days to keep you up to date on all the latest rumblings and rumors.
Dave Martinez will reportedly talk to the press corps this afternoon, so we’ll update with anything interesting he has to say today, and Rizzo will meet with reporters at some point this afternoon...