This is somewhat old news, but I haven’t had the time to address the few significant signings the Nationals have made over the past week or so. Until now.
On Jan. 18, three-time World Series champion Jon Lester agreed to a one-year deal to join the Nationals rotation. The 37-year-old pitcher was an All-Star as recently as 2018, but is no longer the ace-caliber pitcher that he was in Chicago.
Instead, the lefty is expected to slide in behind Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin in the rotation as the fourth starter. Joe Ross figures to be the fifth starter in the rotation, but should have competition with Austin Voth.
Getting a former ace with an incredible postseason resume to pitch in the back of the rotation is just what this team needed. Lester may be past his prime, but he could help this team tremendously as the season goes on, especially if they can find their way into the postseason.
With the Atlanta Braves looking as imposing as last year, and the New York Mets loading up with a new owner (and new money), competition for the top of the NL East will be stiff. The next major move will hopefully help close the gap.
With the bullpen being a longtime weakness for this team, the signing of relief pitcher Brad Hand on Jan. 24 could be huge. Hand was one of the top free agent relievers this offseason and could potentially be the best closer this team has had in recent memory.
Despite getting blown up in Game 2 of the 2020 Wild Card series against the Yankees, Hand was named to the 2020 All-MLB Second Team after leading the majors with 16 saves. He began his career with the Florida/Miami Marlins before stints with the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians.
Hand, who was named an All-Star in each season from 2017-2019, posted a 2.05 ERA in 2020, striking out 29 batters and walking four in 22.0 innings pitched. With Sean Doolittle departing in free agency, the Nats needed a replacement, and Hand is more than suitable.
Hand was even speculated to sign with the Mets a couple weeks before he signed with Washington, so keeping him away from a division rival is major.
Hand now joins a bullpen that includes Daniel Hudson, Will Harris and Tanner Rainey. Rainey put together a breakout 2020 campaign and has the looks of a future closer. Hudson and Harris have their shaky moments, but overall are solid relievers with closing experience. The three H’s and Rainey looks like the strongest bullpen this team has had in a long time.
Finally, the team added Alex Avila as a reserve catcher. The 2011 All-Star was teammates with Scherzer in Detroit, with Lester in Chicago and with Corbin in Arizona, giving this rotation a familiar face to work with on nights Yan Gomes doesn’t play.
Avila appeared in just 23 games in 2020, batting just .184 with one home run and two RBI, but for just one year and $1.5 million, it’s simply a low risk move to fill a position of need.
And of course, the team got Mr. National back when Ryan Zimmerman re-signed on a one-year/$1 million deal after sitting out the 2020 season. We haven’t seen him on the diamond since the Nats won Game 7 in Houston, so it’ll be great to have him back.
There’s still time for more additions, but for now, here is what the depth chart is looking like for the Nats in 2021:
Fielders:
C: Yan Gomes/Alex Avila/Tres Barrera
1B: Josh Bell/Ryan Zimmerman/Jake Noll
2B: Starlin Castro/Luis Garcia
3B: Carter Kieboom/Josh Harrison
SS: Trea Turner
LF: Kyle Schwarber
CF: Victor Robles/Andrew Stevenson
RF: Juan Soto/Yadiel Hernandez
Pitchers:
SP: Max Scherzer/Stephen Strasburg/Patrick Corbin/Jon Lester/Joe Ross
LR: Austin Voth
RP: Daniel Hudson/Tanner Rainey/Will Harris/Wander Suero/Kyle Finnegan
CL: Brad Hand
Cover Photo Credit: Jason Miller/Getty Images
The Wildcard 