After being declared the World Series favorites in the offseason, the Washington Nationals will miss the playoffs in 2015. Various rumors are beginning to surround the Nats as they shift their attention to the 2016 MLB season.
Washington has a lot of things to address in the offseason. Ian Desmond, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister will hit free agency after the team opted not to trade any of them before the deadline. Jonathan Papelbon's future with the club remains uncertain, to say the least. They also have a few prospects coming up in the pipeline, which creates an issue for the infield.
Specifically Yunel Escobar.
The 32-year-old has been great for Washington this season. He played great defense at third base this year and his offensive contribution (.318/.378/.420 with 74 runs scored, 9 home runs and 56 RBIs) was among the best on the team.
However, Escobar will make $7 million and has a $7 million team option (or a $1 million buyout) for the 2017 season. Although he can play all over the infield, the team has Danny Espinosa (an excellent defender), Trea Turner and Wilmer Difo as younger, cheaper infield options, which creates a bit of a conundrum for the Nationals.
"Williams and other club officials have said it's best for [Anthony] Rendon to return to his natural third base position in 2016, but where does Escobar wind up?" ponders Mark Zuckerman of NatsInsider.com.
"With Ian Desmond all but assured of departing as a free agent, Escobar could return to his natural shortstop position. The Nationals, though, also have a potentially elite defensive shortstop in Danny Espinosa and a top prospect in Trea Turner knocking on the door. Escobar could finally make the originally planned move to second base, but he still has spent precious little time working there.
"There's also a scenario in which the Nationals could trade Escobar, selling high on him before he hits his free agent year and opening the door for both Espinosa and Turner (or potentially another prospect, Wilmer Difo) to play every day."
Turner and Difo have already made their MLB debuts this season. Turner is perhaps viewed as Desmond's successor and is batting .250/.333/.375 in 25 games with Washington. He tore up Triple-A Syracuse after hitting .314/.353/.431 with 31 runs scored, 3 home runs, 15 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 48 games.
As for Difo, he could use some more cultivating. He has yet to reach Triple-A, but he's played well at Double-A Harrisburg. In 87 games he's batting .279/.312/.387 with 48 runs scored, 2 home runs, 39 RBIs and 26 stolen bases.
At the very least, one would assume the Nats are hoping Turner emerges from spring training as the club's starting shortstop for 2016, which would complete the infield as Rendon moves to third and Espinosa continues playing second.
If that's the case, there'd be no need to keep a player making $7 million on the bench when they can get good of value for him, considering he'll be coming off the best offensive season of his career.
Then again, the Nats could keep Escobar and make Espinosa/Turner part-timers.
It's unclear what the plan is, but keep an eye on Escobar as the Nats head into the offseason.
