Just like the three other teams that were eliminated from the postseason, the Washington Nationals saw a disappointing end to their 2014 season. Although the team is seemingly set for next year, general manager Mike Rizzo might need to start looking ahead to 2016.
We're supposed to live in the present, but that's hard for a GM who is constantly looking into the future to work out financials and put players in the right situations. The only major move Rizzo will probably make in the offseason is getting rid of first baseman Adam LaRoche ($15 million mutual option with a $2 million buyout) and stick Ryan Zimmerman at first base. The team is financially committed to Zimmerman through 2020, and after LaRoche's poor postseason performance (1-for-18 with a walk), it looks like he won't return next season. Anthony Rendon is the future for the Nationals and Bryce Harper has been a savior in left field, so moving Zimmerman to first base is seemingly the best decision.
They'll be returning everyone else except Asdrubal Cabrera, who they acquired in a trade prior to the deadline. Cabrera played second base, and next up on the depth chart is Danny Espinosa, so the team might have to address that position in the offseason. Free agent second basemen include Emilio Bonifacio, Mark Ellis, Rafael Furcal, Brandon Hicks, Kelly Johnson, Brian Roberts, Ramon Santiago, Rickie Weeks (vesting option), Josh Wilson and Ben Zobrist (club option). Zobrist would be the best fit, but the Rays are expected to pick up his $7.5 million option, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The Nats could work out a trade for a second baseman, but there has been no news on that front. (The White Sox have three young second basemen expected to battle for the position on Opening Day, which could mean they're interested in trading one of them.)
The problem is the 2015 offseason. Nearly their entire bullpen - Rafael Soriano, Jerry Blevins, Tyler Clippard, Ross Detwiler, Matt Thornton and Ryan Perry - will be free agents in 2016. But that's not all. Starting pitchers Jordan Zimmermann (2.66 ERA) and Doug Fister (2.41 ERA) will also no longer be under contract in addition to shortstop Ian Desmond and center fielder Denard Span (whose $9 million option we're assuming they'll pick up in the near future). An overwhelming majority of these players were significant contributors to the team this season and the Nationals are going to need to take care of their contract situations before the 2015 season ends.
Washington signed Zimmermann to a two-year, $24 million deal before the 2014 season, so Rizzo will probably work on extending him beyond 2015. Fister is currently arbitration eligible, but the two sides could avoid that and agree to a salary they both see appropriate, including a multi-year extension. Desmond was offered a contract in excess of $90 million last offseason, but he declined and opted to sign a two-year, $17.5 million deal to avoid arbitration, which shows a glimmer of hope for Fister's case. As for the bullpen, it would be prudent if Rizzo worked on extending Blevins, Clippard and Detwiler, who are all arbitration eligible. Clippard should be the only one who will command a high price, so the team shouldn't be too worried about the others. Clippard boasted a 2.18 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings as the setup man for the Nationals, and he's essential for next season to say the least.
It would be best if the Nationals can retain Fister and Clippard by avoiding arbitration, but nonetheless they'll likely return two instrumental aspects of their pitching staff, which was the best in the MLB with their top ranked ERA (3.03). It won't be too stressful of an offseason for Washington, but it would be best for them to extend Zimmerman and Desmond as well while they look for a more solid option at second base.
If the Nationals can keep this current team together for the next two seasons, they'll certainly be in contention for a World Series title.
