With the Washington Football Team competing in the NFL Wild Card round, this news got slightly buried in the DC area, but we can finally address it: The Nats signed former Cub Kyle Schwarber to a one-year/$10 million deal.
This move marks the second major signing of the offseason, as the Nats are clearly hoping their moves for Schwarber and Josh Bell add much-needed power to the offense. The presence of both players in the lineup should prevent opposing pitchers from pitching around superstar Juan Soto… if they can return to pre-2020 form.
Both Bell and Schwarber had rough 2020 seasons offensively, and both are question marks defensively. With the Atlanta Braves and money-flushed New York Mets looking more and more imposing leading up to the 2021 season, these two additions will have to pay off if this team wants any chance to compete in October.
Schwarber mashed 11 home runs in 59 games last season but hit just .188 with a .306 OBP. This offense needs more power in their lineup, so Schwarber should help in that department, but that will all be nullified if he can’t even hit his own weight.
However, Schwarber’s best career-year offensively was 2019, where he hit 38 home runs, 92 RBI and slashed .250/.339/.531. If he can bring that type of production in 2021 (or something close to it), the top half of the lineup could be lethal.
Schwarber has a history of mashing in Nats Park, although not exactly in a real game context. Bryce Harper’s memorable Home Run Derby victory in the 2018 All-Star festivities at Nats Park was nearly foiled by Schwarber, who made it to the Finals and just barely lost 19-18. Two-and-a-half years later, it’s now Schwarber that will be electrifying the home crowd at Nats Park (hopefully).
Schwarber, while not a great defensive player, should slide in as the everyday left fielder, moving Soto to right field while Victor Robles remains in center. Andrew Stevenson will be the fourth outfielder on the depth chart, and he should see plenty of time as a defensive substitution and pinch runner. If the National League adopts the Designated Hitter in the next couple years and Schwarber is still on the team, then he will be the prime choice for that position.
As for how the batting order looks now, manager Dave Martinez already laid out his initial plans with how the roster currently stands, according to NBC Sports Washington:
- SS Trea Turner
- RF Juan Soto (L)
- 1B Josh Bell (S)
- LF Kyle Schwarber (L)
- 2B Starlin Castro
- C Yan Gomes
- CF Victor Robles
- 3B Carter Kieboom
- [Pitcher]
Of course, there is still time for more moves to made. The team has been in talks with the Cincinnati Reds around third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who is on a team-friendly deal and would provide yet another boost to the team offensively. However, the Nats’ unwillingness to include top prospects Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli in a potential deal has stalled any progress towards a deal, according to MLB Insider Jon Heyman.
Even if the Nats don’t add Suarez, the team still needs a second catcher, so the JT Realmuto situation is one worth monitoring, but at this point I’m not holding my breath on that.
Besides catcher and potentially third base, the only other needs remaining for the team are a pitcher for the back of the rotation and likely another reliever or two. That won’t impact the batting order, but it still means that this team isn’t done assembling for 2021.
Cover Photo Credit: Quinn Harris/USA TODAY Sports
The Wildcard 