Predicting Washington Nationals' 2016 Record Going Into Spring Training

The Washington Nationals come into 2016 loaded for bare after a disappointing 2015 campaign. Bryce Harper is the face of the Nationals and in some ways the face of MLB. How he goes will depend on whether the Nationals can make a run at the World Series. In the meantime he needs some help from his friends. Gone are high-profile shortstop Ian Desmond and groundball pitcher Doug Fister. In their place are playoff hero Daniel Murphy and a full season of youngster Joe Ross.

Heading into 2015, the Nationals were favorites to win the World Series. At the end of the season they didn’t even make the playoffs. Much attention was focused on the fight between NL MVP Harper and closer Jonathan Papelbon, but more should have been centered on the down seasons of Desmond and Fister.

Ben Revere was acquired for Drew Storen to replace Denard Span in center field. Revere is a better runner, but he’s a slight downgrade both offensively and defensively. Third baseman Anthony Rendon only played half of the season and never seemed to get into the groove last year. His health combined with the offensive upgrade from Desmond to Murphy should help the Nationals’ offense improve to a power in the NL East. Meanwhile, at shortstop Danny Espinosa is just holding the fort until Trea Turner is ready to take over. At that time Espinosa and Stephen Drew will become the best infield bench in the National League.

With the rotation set the Nationals’ front office focused on the bullpen. In order to be able to trade Storen they signed Oliver Perez, Shawn Kelley and Yusmeiro Petit as free agents and traded Yunel Escobar for Trevor Gott. These four should more than make up for Storen and the departed Casey Janssen.

There is no weakness on this team with Matt Belisle signed to a minor league deal in case Petit has to join the rotation due to injury. Unlike last year, there is a balance to this team that is only seen once or twice a year. With Harper leading them offensively nothing should slow them down. 2016 is the Nationals’ year, and they will show that with a record of 102-60.