Princeless: What Now For the Nats?

Prince Fielder did what any smart, fat baseball player would do. He went to the AL. He went there for a lot of money. He may have even chosen Detroit not only for the cash, but for the opportunity to destroy his estranged father's club records. Whatever his reason, he went to Detroit. Not to the Nationals. So what now? What is the Nats' next move?

Nothing. There isn't one. Don't do anything.

I know. That isn't a popular decision. But it is the right move.

What can you do? There is no reason to make the move that everyone expects to be made: a trade for BJ Upton. Why? Why give up more prospects for a guy that will be a free agent after the season? Plus, while his defense would be nice, the desire for a leadoff bat would be better fit with Ian Desmond. BJ Upton hit .243 last year, with an OBP of .331 in all of his at bats. But he only had 7 leadoff at bats, and only 1 hit in that number, compared to 3 Ks. Those aren't exactly sterling leadoff-man numbers.

Meanwhile, Ian Desmond batted .253 with an OBP of .298. However, in the 221 appearances he made in the leadoff spot, he batted .281. He is our answer right now for that #1 spot. Does he strike out too much? Yes. If he can fix that, he will be a great leadoff hitter for the club.

So, no BJ Upton, for now. But we should consider him as a free agent. Put his bat in the middle of the order, because he has speed and pop. He is a Virginia boy. DC is a lot closer to home than St. Petersburg, Florida. Mike Rizzo wants him and makes no secret about that. He loved the Uptons. He was the head of scouting when the Diamondbacks drafted Justin Upton. But giving up a player like Ian Desmond or Danny Espinosa and a pitcher like John Lannan or Ross Detweiler for a guy whose contract is ending is foolish. Wait.

What do you do next? Repair relations with Adam LaRoche. He is the starting first basemen, like it or not NatsTown. With Chris Marrero on the mend and Michael Morse in left field, LaRoche brings his excellent glove back to first. But what about his bat? Before missing most of the season, he was batting below .200. Instead of that, an average career season for him in the middle of the Nats lineup would be perfect. His 2010 Diamondback stats, .261/25/100, and a strong lefty presence in the order between Zimmerman and Morse would work wonders for the lineup.

Third thing to do? Sign Ryan Zimmerman. Does he get hurt sometimes? Yes. Is he the best defensive third baseman in baseball? Probably. When healthy, he is a consistent offensive threat. Two-time Silver Slugger winner. A Gold Glove winner. Leader of the clubhouse. Face of the franchise. The Captain. Extend him. Either giving him an extra 4 years to his current 2 year deal, or going a full 6 after 2013, signing him is the right move. It puts the fans' minds at ease. It wraps up the most popular player. It also provides a guaranteed future at either third or first base, if we decide in 2 years that Anthony Rendon at 3rd and Zim at first is the best option. He has told the organization what it will take to keep him, and I expect a deal to get done soon.

So, don't trade prospects for Upton. Coddle LaRoche. Re-sign Zim. Make sure Wilson Ramos doesn't get kidnapped again... Here are your (Opening Day) 2012 Washington Nationals:

1. Ian Desmond, SS
2. Jayson Werth, RF
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Michael Morse, LF
5. Adam LaRoche, 1B
6. Wilson Ramos, C
7. Danny Espinosa, 2B
8. Roger Bernadina, CF

Starting Pitchers:

1. Stephen Strasburg, RHP
2. Jordan Zimmermann, RHP
3. Gio Gonzalez, LHP
4. Chien Ming Wang, RHP
5. John Lannan, LHP
6. Ross Detweiler, LHP

Not too shabby. And just think about what happens in June, when Bryce Harper comes up to the big leagues.

So, assuming you sign Upton (or Michael Bourne, Denard Span, etc) as a free agent, where do you put him in 2013? Centerfield, of course. The corner spots will be manned by Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper. 1B? Michael Morse, where he flourished last year. LaRoche's contract is up. Everyone else stays the same. I like that team. I like that lineup. I like that Wang might be phased out of the rotation by then. That is a team that will compete for the NL East. Maybe even more.

No Prince? Not perfect, but no real problem.