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By midnight on Monday night, the Washington Nationals will need to decide on whether or not to tender contracts offers to eight arbitration-eligible players: Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, Stephen Strasburg, Ross Detwiler, Wilson Ramos and Ross Ohlendorf.
For seven of those players, the decision is a no-brainer. For Ohlendorf, the decision is a bit more difficult to make.
According to MLBTradeRumors.com, Ohlendorf would be awarded an estimated $1.3 million salary in 2014. While his 2013 season was surprisingly strong, was it enough to secure him a contract for 2014? If it was, will his role on the team be worth the price?
Ohlendorf is a journeyman right-hander in MLB and has seen his fair share of injuries over his career. In 2013, he had a role as a spot-starter for Washington as well as doing some bullpen work. He had six starts between June 12 and September 18 and pitched to a 4-1 record. He also had nine appearances in relief. He finished the season with an overall ERA of 3.28 and 45 strikeouts to just 14 walks.
By no means was it a bad season for Ohlendorf, and his ability is not what’s in question here.
The real question is his role on the team. While he isn’t a bad pitcher, he’s not the best option for Washington. With Detwiler and Taylor Jordan both strong candidates to make the starting rotation, there is no need for Ohlendorf on the starting five, especially if they sign a veteran starter like Ubaldo Jimenez.
You could then look to the bullpen as a place for Ohlendorf to land in a long-relief role, something he did in 2013. However, you’ll already find Craig Stammen in that role and Tanner Roark could likely join him. Furthermore, the Nationals need a left-handed arm more than they need another righty in the bullpen.
It’s not that Ohlendorf isn’t good enough for the Nationals, it’s that he would be well overpaid for his services. His role on the team won’t be nearly big enough to make the $1.3 million investment worth it. The Nationals should not tender him and instead try to come to an agreement with him on a league-minimum contract or minor-league contract.
Brian Skinnell is a freelance sports writer for www.RantSports.com and contributor at Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter and add him to your network on Google.
