Washington Nationals All-Time Team

One more eastern team to go. Let's take a trip to America's capital for the Washington Nationals All-Time Team.

 

The Nationals/Expos franchise celebrated its 50th full season with a World Series championship in 2019.

Felipe Alou could not lead the Expos to the playoffs in any of his ten seasons as manager - though he almost certainly would have done so in 1994 had the season been completed.

Alou's lineup is split evenly between Expos and Nationals (Jose Vidro wore both uniforms).

The Nationals are rich in third basemen so Ryan Zimmerman has to play first base. Ian Desmond has strong competition for the starting shortstop position.

	Nationals stats	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
	*Ian Desmond	16.5	0.264	0.312	0.424	0.736	99
	Trea Turner	22.3	0.300	0.356	0.486	0.842	120

Trea Turner takes it. Desmond will have to battle for a bench role.

Turner isn't the only new face competing for a roster spot. Wilson Ramos has competition as the backup catcher, while Juan Soto and Jayson Werth try to convince Alou to carry a sixth (or seventh?) outfielder.

	Nationals stats	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
	*Wilson Ramos	10.5	0.268	0.313	0.430	0.743	99
	Darrin Fletcher	3.4	0.266	0.322	0.422	0.744	95

Ramos holds on based on his defensive acumen. Ian Desmond is not so fortunate.

	Nationals stats	WAR	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
	*Bob Bailey	18.3	0.264	0.368	0.437	0.805	123
	*Ian Desmond	16.5	0.264	0.312	0.424	0.736	99
	*Warren Cromartie	15.5	0.280	0.335	0.402	0.737	104
	Juan Soto	21.4	0.291	0.427	0.538	0.966	160
	Jayson Werth	9.0	0.263	0.355	0.433	0.788	113
	Moises Alou	12.3	0.292	0.349	0.489	0.838	120
	Rondell White	19.3	0.293	0.348	0.480	0.827	113

Bob Bailey retains his position as a super-utility player, while Warren Cromartie is cut in addition to Desmond. 24 year-old Juan Soto is almost certainly the youngest player to earn a spot on an All-Time team.

Washington doesn't have any pitchers that can push for a spot in the rotation.

However they do have one of the most durable long relievers ever in Mike Marshall, who made as many appearances in four seasons with the franchise as Stephen Strasburg has in thirteen years.

Felipe Alou took a second look at some relief options this spring, including Drew Storen and Ugueth Urbina [oh great, another despicable relief pitcher.]

 

Thankfully there's a better option than Urbina.

	Nationals stats	SV	ERA	ERA+	K/BB	WHIP
	*Mel Rojas	109	3.11	129	2.31	1.189
	*Tyler Clippard	34	2.72	145	2.87	1.058
	Drew Storen	95	3.02	129	3.34	1.129
	Ugueth Urbina	125	3.52	124	2.64	1.257

 
Drew Storen snags a spot from Mel Rojas and makes the team.

 

 

Looking ahead, current catcher Keibert Ruiz (who is actually older than Juan Soto) could compete for a spot as Gary Carter's backup if he pans out. Two of the pieces Washington received from San Diego in the Soto deal - MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams - have plenty of potential as well.

TL; DR: Three changes from the original roster. Desmond, Cromartie, and Rojas out, Turner, Soto, and Storen in.



That's a wrap for the NL East. We'll be back with the All-Time Teams of the American League Central after a short spring break.

 

Thanks for reading!




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