Fansided

One offseason move each MLB team needs to make

By Joshua Sadlock

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 07: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals hits a two run home run against the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning during game two of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 07: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals hits a two run home run against the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning during game two of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Washington Nationals: Find a weakness and fix it

Time will tell whether or not Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman’s lightning bolt home runs last Saturday night were enough to light a fire under the Nationals and send them on their way to the first World Series title in franchise history. The Nats are at the point where it needs to be World Series or bust every year. Harper is gone after the 2018 season.

On paper, this may be the most complete team in the league. The lineup is loaded one to nine, the rotation has the best one-two punch in the league in Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, the bullpen has been totally revamped, the bench is deep and Dusty Baker has called all the right shots in his two years at the helm.

It is difficult to come up with a concrete move the Nationals need to make this offseason because there are very few obvious needs. Jayson Werth will finally be a free agent this winter, but the Nationals have his replacement in house already with Michael A. Taylor breaking through. Keep Gio Gonzalez if the money is right, extend Dusty Baker for a few more years, find a way to keep Howie Kendrick and Brian Goodwin on the roster — minor moves only.

Next: MLB free agency: One free agent each team should sign

If the Nationals do not win the World Series, a weakness or determining factor in their downfall should emerge. Maybe they will need to keep a power bat on the bench or add another shutdown setup man. Nothing they do or do not do this year will change their status as World Series contender entering next season.

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