The Washington Nationals enter the offseason looking to take a big step forward in 2025 as the team hopes to surround their young talent with some proven veterans.
There is a lot to like about what the Nationals have built over the last few years. Washington has done a good job of cultivating young talent in the professional and employment sectors as this has led to the organization having a lot of hope for the future.
While the Nationals have a lot of young talent on the team, the next step is to surround those players with some proven veterans to take them to the next level.
With a few contracts coming off the books this offseason Patrick KorbinWashington will be a player in free agency this winter. What they want to spend that money on will be the big decision. Ideally, they need to add some strength to their lineup, and they could also use a front end of the rotation starting pitcher.
Recently, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report talked about the Nationals being the ideal landing spot for Teoscar Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“The time is right for the Nationals to make a Jayson Werth-style signing. Hernández is an almost too perfect option, as he fits Washington as a much-needed left fielder and right-handed power forward. They only hit 42 home runs on that side of the plate this year.”
Hernandez would certainly be a good addition to the lineup as he would provide the power Washington wants in the middle of their order. In 2024, the slugger totaled 33 home runs, 99 RBIs and a .272 batting average.
That kind of production in the middle of the lineup would be a big upgrade for the Nationals, as they really lacked that kind of punch.
Hernandez has proven to be a solid power hitter throughout his career, as he has hit a total of at least 25 home runs over the last four seasons. The slugger’s consistency at the plate would be a good veteran addition for Washington.
While Hernandez would help the lineup immensely, the question would be where on the field he would play. Currently, the Nationals’ outfield is looking pretty good James Wood, Dylan CrewsAnd Jacob Jong. However, Hernandez could split some time with one of the corner outfielders and be the designated hitter the rest of the time, as Washington would likely want all four of these players in the lineup as much as possible.
As one of the best hitters available in free agency, the slugger would be an excellent addition for the Nationals.