To have a good time Christmas, we are going to make an inventory of some issues Nationals followers need underneath the tree heading into 2025. After the Nationals received the final word present of a world sequence title in 2019, there haven’t been many presents since. Nonetheless, Santa Claus could be coming again to DC this 12 months.
The primary merchandise on the wishlist is an influence bat. Whereas Mike Rizzo gifted Nationals followers a primary baseman in Nathaniel Lowe, he isn’t a 30 dwelling run bopper. The Nationals nonetheless want yet one more bat. A Christmas miracle can be the signing of Anthony Santander. The very long time Oriole hit 44 dwelling runs final 12 months, and would give the Nats an elite energy menace. The 30 12 months previous is an choice each within the nook outfield and at DH. If Rizzo desires to go in one other course, or possession desires to be the grinch, there are some cheaper choices. Former Nats Josh Bell and Jesse Winker are guys who make sense and wouldn’t price a lot.
The second merchandise on the record can be a James Wooden breakthrough. Not one of the Nationals younger gamers have made a leap in the direction of superstardom but. For my part, James Wooden has one of the best likelihood to do this. Wooden has all of the traits to be a celebrity on the plate. He’s already a affected person hitter, and when he makes contact, the ball jumps off his bat. In his first style of massive league motion, Wooden posted a 120 wRC+, regardless of having loads of room to enhance. If Santa can train Wooden to hit the ball within the air extra, we can have a celebrity on our fingers. He has the uncooked energy to be a 40 dwelling run hitter and the plate self-discipline to submit excessive on base percentages. At 22 years previous, he has loads of time to place all of it collectively, however hopefully it comes this season.
A 3rd merchandise on the want record is bullpen assist. The Nats had a skinny bullpen, and that was earlier than they traded away Robert Garcia. Now, the bullpen is in determined want of reinforcements. After buying and selling away Garcia, one would suppose that Rizzo has one thing up his sleeve to enhance the bullpen. The most effective reliever to hit free company is Tanner Scott, and he’s nonetheless available on the market. Rizzo may go that route, or he can usher in a pair cheaper choices. Jose Leclerc is a reputation that has caught my eye, and he’s nonetheless accessible.
My ultimate want is for Mackenzie Gore to lastly put all of it collectively. I simply can’t stop Gore as a possible high of the rotation arm. Perhaps not as the longer term primary, however he nonetheless has all of the makings of a quantity two starter. He has all of the stuff on the planet, he simply must put all of it collectively. Lance Brozdowski made a fantastic video on what Gore must do to take the subsequent step.
After a robust begin, Gore hit a wall, which has change into a well-recognized sample for him. Nonetheless, after a tough couple months, he turned issues round over the last six weeks or so of the season. He managed to submit an ERA underneath 4, at 3.90. Gore additionally threw a profession excessive 166.1 innings. His glorious performances down the stretch gave me hope that he nonetheless has the aptitude to be a excessive finish starter.
These are my major needs, however there’s a lot Nationals followers can dream on heading into 2025. Be at liberty to remark a few of your needs down under. Merry Christmas and Pleased Holidays to all the Federal Baseball group!
