I am almost ready to lead the Washington Nationals playoff bandwagon for 2012 – actually, make that the World Series bandwagon. I’ve already mentioned to a few friends here and there that the Washington Nationals will be the surprise team next season – perhaps next year’s Arizona Diamondbacks (minus the “worst-to-first”) or Pittsburgh Pirates (minus the expected fade). The funny thing is, if you look at the talent that they are accumulating on their roster and spreading throughout the lineup, the bullpen and the rotation, it really should not be that big of a surprise when the Washington Nationals start to compete. This foundation of young talent is why, if I were a Washington Nationals fan, I would want them to stop at nothing to bring Prince Fielder and C.J. Wilson to the nation’s capital this offseason and put the team in position to compete for World Series titles.
Admittedly, I don’t know much about the Nationals’ finances and how willing or able they are to work with a payroll in the nine-figure range. I do know that Washington D.C. is a very cool city with lots of young professionals and a lively atmosphere. I imagine the Nats would have little trouble packing that ballpark if/when they became/become relevant. I’m not really basing that on anything concrete. I’m just drawing from my limited personal experience in D.C. and my half of a semester of graduate econ, so maybe I’m wrong. Who knows? Either way, its enough for me to believe that now is the right time for the Nats to join the party and start throwing some money around.
With an offense that includes some solid – if not premium – pieces such as Michael Morse, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth (who figures to improve on his disappointing 2011 campaign) the Nats can put some runs on the board. That’s not even mentioning guys like Wilson Ramos, Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa who have plenty of room to improve but have shown the ability to produce at the big league level. And, of course, there is Bryce Harper who may find his way to the big leagues by 2013 if not sooner. Adding Prince Fielder to this group would give the Nats that legit, without-a-doubt masher in the middle of their order. That one guy the opposing team has to game-plan for. He would turn the lineup from “solid”, “respectable”, “good” to feared.
Offense packs the ballparks, but pitching and defense win you championships. Just don’t tell that to the Philadelphia Phillies or Atlanta Braves – two teams that the Nationals will need to compete with for a playoff spot. Assuming the playoff format remains the same in 2012, the Nats are going to be charged with the task of overtaking either the Braves or the Phillies in the division or wildcard. I think they can go into next season with arguably a better roster, top-to-bottom, than both of those teams, but they will need to bolster the pitching staff. Enter C.J. Wilson. He may not be Cliff Lee, but he’s a power lefty who has exhibited durability and effectiveness over the past two seasons. Adding Wilson to the rotation serves two purposes. The first is the obvious addition of a top-of-the-rotation starter. The second is the pressure that he takes off of Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg – two aces that won’t need to carry that weight of that title on their backs just yet. Speaking of Strasburg, the Nats have already said that he’s going to be on an innings limit in 2012 – his first full season following Tommy John surgery. I’m not sure if it results in fewer starts mathematically over the course of a 162 game season, but the luxury of slotting Strasburg in the No. 3 or No. 4 slot in the rotation could make it a little easier for the Nats to keep his innings in check. Just a little icing to think about.
With those three heading the rotation, the final two starters don’t have to blow you away on paper. I’m not a John Lannan fan, but you could do worse than him at the No. 4 or 5 slot in your rotation. Hell, the Nationals could even let him set up shop as the No. 3 starter to further decrease the pressure on Strasburg. Those specifics don’t matter here, the main point is they would be able field a rotation that rivals the Braves and the Phillies. Add a tough bullpen that includes Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard and Henry Rodriguez and you’re looking at a hypothetical pitching staff that nobody would want any part of.
From where I stand, the Washington Nationals look a World Series contender if they can find a way to bring in C.J. Wilson and Prince Fielder. I’m very interested to see if the guys who actually get paid to make these decisions feel the same way.
Whether you agree or disagree, feel free to find me on twitter @craigmwilliams and let me know about it.
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