Fansided

Washington Nationals 2015 MLB season preview and predictions

By Brad Rowland

Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) signs autographs before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) signs autographs before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Additions/Subtractions

Key Additions: SP Max Scherzer, 2B/SS Yunel Escobar, RP Casey Janssen 

The biggest splash of the off-season was, clearly, the signing of 2013 AL Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer. Scherzer did not come cheaply, as Washington handed him a contract worth more than $200 million over seven seasons, but the powerful right-hander immediately becomes the ace of a staff that was already loaded.

Aside from the Scherzer acquisition, though, it was a relatively quiet off-season for the Nats. Yunel Escobar should provide a solid option defensively at second base, while Janssen (who is already battling some injury issues) picked up 25 saves in Toronto last season, and he will be cast as a supporting option in the bullpen.

Key Subtractions: 1B Adam LaRoche, 2B/SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RP Rafael Soriano, RP Tyler Clippard

The 35-year-old LaRoche served as Washington’s everyday first basemen for the better part of four seasons, and during that time, he belted 20-plus home runs on three occasions. It was clearly time for the two sides to move on, though, and LaRoche inked a more lucrative offer from the White Sox.

To be frank, the biggest “hole” created in the off-season came in the bullpen. As mentioned above, Casey Janssen does provide a proven option when healthy, but the absence of both Soriano and Clippard will make the 2015 bullpen vastly different from seasons past. It was a roller coaster ride for Soriano in DC, but the right-hander did save 32 games a year ago, and Clippard was a highly durable and effective option.

Next: 3 Players to Watch

Home/MLB