5 offseason moves to help the Nationals repeat as champions

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: The Washington Nationals pose for a team photo as they celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros with a score of 6 to 2. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 01: Milwaukee Brewers catcher Yasmani Grandal (10) comes into the dugout for the Wild Card game against the Washington Nationals on October 1, 2019, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Sign Yasmani Grandal

The Nationals have consistently fielded one of the best lineups in the National League during their run of winning seasons, but have struggled to find a suitable replacement for All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos, who departed after the 2016 season. Washington has tried out former All-Star Matt Wieters for two seasons, gave weak-hitting Pedro Severino a chance to stick, traded for Yan Gomes and also brought back veteran Kurt Suzuki for another stint. Of the group, Gomes delivered the best numbers overall, but most of his value is tied to his defense.

Gomes has a two-year, $20-million team option that can be picked up for 2020 and 2021, but the Nationals can likely do better on the free-agent market. The 32-year-old hit just .223/.316/.389 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI in 97 games. Gomes is still a decent catcher, but not worth $10 million per season.

If the Nationals value catcher defense and pitch framing, which feels like a safe assumption considering how much money they have invested in their starting rotation, then their best option for the position is All-Star Yasmani Grandal. He hit .246/.380/.468 with 28 home runs and 77 RBI and has four straight seasons with at least 20 home runs.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Grandal have a mutual option for next season that will pay him $16 million. Entering his age-31 season, Grandal needs more certainty than a one-year deal. He will have to take less in annual salary to get the longer-term deal he desires. The Nationals spent over $11 million for borderline replacement-level production from their backstops this year. A fair deal for Grandal would be in the neighborhood of $11-13 million per year. He turned down four years and $60 million last year, but is now a year older and only two catchers in the league, Yadier Molina and Buster Posey make that much.

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