Washington Nationals: 5 More Bench Additions Nats Should Make
Some Washington Bench Ideas
As January progresses, Washington Nationals fans will now set their sights on the excitement that is pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, which we now know will occur for the Nationals on Feb. 13. With that in mind, the offseason will wind down for the most part, as the long and drawn out Masahiro Tanaka posting process ends on Jan. 24, and the pitching market should clear up quickly after that. Aside from that, however, it seems there are not that many other obstacles standing in the way of the baseball season starting, as the agonizing wait becomes shorter and shorter.
Many prognosticators will soon be filling the internet with their predictions for the winners of the 2014 World Series, division winners, surprise teams and so on. Many will have the Nationals somewhere on the list; whether they are picked to win the NL East, pennant or World Series, however, is the question. Many see a strong team that had a down season only get stronger, and with a new manager with an attention to detail, a clean slate and no swan songs to try and end on a high note, this could be a very strong season for Washington.
Of course, this is the time of year where teams begin to skim through the proverbial bargain bin of free agents. The fringes of rosters are made in the months of January and early February. Spring Training invites are doled out, and opt outs are everywhere. Benches are usually constructed around this time, and here are five bench additions Washington could make.
John Buck-Catcher
Call me crazy, but I just do not believe the Nationals backup catcher is going to be Chris Snyder, Jhonotan Solano or Sandy Leon. Buck is good clubhouse presence and can provide some pop off the bench, as well as call a solid game behind the plate.
Jeff Baker-Infield
Baker's bread and butter is mashing left-handers. Baker, 32, is a .298 career hitter against lefties, while he only hits .236 against righties. Baker can also play multiple positions along with some much needed pop off of the bench for Washington.
Jamey Carroll-Infield
Carroll is an original National, as he was on the team when they moved to D.C. in 2005, and it would make for a nice story for Carroll to return to the franchise where it all started for him. Carroll also still has some speed and could play solid defense all over the diamond.
Ty Wigginton-Infield/Outfield
It's pretty safe to say there are few places on the diamond Wigginton cannot play. Second base, third base, first, right field, left field -- Wigginton can play them all, making for a very strong insurance policy all over the diamond.
Sam Fuld-Outfield
Fuld would be a great pickup for the Nationals, though, they already have Nate McLouth in the fold. Fuld will always have a spot on a roster because of his gritty, lunch-pail playing style. It wouldn't be a horrible move to sign Fuld to minor-league deal and stow him away at Triple-A.
