What if Bryce Leaves?: How the Nats Can Spend $40 Million

At some point, every Nationals fan has come face to face with a very real possibility: Bryce Harper, the face of the franchise and arguably the most recognizable player in baseball, may be wearing a different uniform next season.  He has even brought that "Who will he choose" theme into his new MLB: The Show cover.  It is possible a team like the Giants or Dodgers will break the bank and sign him for the next decade.  Maybe Bryce decides he wants to play with his buddy Kris Bryant in Chicago.  The point is, the Nats could be without their star next year, and with an extra $40 million or so in cash to spend.  How might the Nats use that money to make the team better?

First, we have to address the outfield, where the Nats don't have to spend anything.  The only reason that the Nationals are even considering letting Bryce Harper walk is that they have Juan Soto and Victor Robles ready to go.  Soto had arguably the greatest season any teenager has ever had, including Harper.  Robles has had flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time.  Slot them in every day with Adam Eaton, with a Gold Glove-level 4th outfielder in Michael A. Taylor, and you still have one of the better young outfields in baseball.  Yes, I believe that Soto/Robles/Harper would be even better, but that is not the scenario we are dealing with.

Next, there is a certain other soon-to-be free agent that helps drive the Nats.  They could use a good chunk of that money on extending Anthony Rendon.  I would be thrilled if they do that, because he has been the Nationals' most consistent player for years.  However, I think good old Scott Boras will try to get his client to test free agency after the 2019 season.  We will assume the extension doesn't happen before the season.

So, what to do with all that money?  The three biggest holes on the roster, now that the Nationals signed Trevor Rosenthal to help boost the bullpen, are starting pitcher, catcher, and second base.  Gio Gonzalez won't be coming back to DC, nor will Daniel Murphy.  Catcher has been a big issue since Wilson Ramos left, and none of the Nats prospects are ready to take over.  If my last name were suddenly Lerner or Rizzo, here is how I would spend the cash (salaries based on MLB Trade Rumors' projections):

- Sign LHP Dallas Keuchel to a 4-year, $82 million deal ($20.5 million per year).  Scherzer, Strasburg, Keuchel.  That is one hell of a big three in any rotation.  The Nats can not only replace Gio Gonzalez as the staff lefty, they can upgrade.  While Keuchel may never regain his Cy Young form, he still is coming off a year with a sub-4 ERA, produces a ton of ground balls, and doesn't give up many home runs.  If he does happen to get back to his 2015 ways, it is a steal of a contract.  Cheaper option- J.A. Happ, 3-year, $48 million ($16 million per year).  Has put up better numbers than Keuchel, but is 36.  Wade Miley may be the cheapest option, at about $6 million per year, but is a step below the other two.  Either way, the Nats need to add a lefty back into their rotation.

- Bring back Wilson Ramos with a 3-year, $36 million deal ($12 million per year).  Talk about a signing that will make fans happy.  Everybody in DC loves the Buffalo, and we would be thrilled to have him back with a Curly W on his chest.  Ramos has caught 800 innings the past two years, so he can still cut it behind the plate.  He knows the staff, he knows the culture.  Most importantly, he can hit.  The Nationals catchers (Matt Wieters, Spencer Kieboom, and Pedro Severino) combined for a dismal .212 average and an awful .615 OPS in 2018.  Ramos, between TB and Philly, hit .306 with an OPS of .845.  This is a no-brainer.  He may also be able to sub in at 1B when called on.  The "cheaper" option?  Trade for JT Realmuto.  He may be the best every day catcher in the game, but he will come at a massive prospect cost.  The Marlins supposedly asked for both Robles and Soto before the season.  That is simply impossible if Bryce leaves.  If they are willing to take a deal based around prospects like Luis Garcia or Carter Kieboom, then it may be doable.

- Sign DJ LeMahieu to a 2-year, $18 million contract ($9 million per year).  I, along with many others, see Carter Kieboom as the National's 2B of the future.  However, he has yet to play 2B in his professional career.  Since it may take a season or two, why not fill in with a former NL batting champ with Gold Glove defense?  LeMahieu is coming off a "down year", where he hit .276 and had a .749 OPS, but is still one of the best defensive second basemen in the game.  Plugging him in for 2 years while a prospect learns the position better is ideal.  Cheaper option?  A 1-year, $10 million shot with Brian Dozier might work, in case he bounces back.  Maybe take a flyer on Josh Harrison for less.  Or, if Howie Kendrick recovers fast from his achillies tear, plug him in.  LeMahieu is the best option until one of the Nats' top prospects is ready, though.

So, Keuchel, Ramos, LeMahieu comes out to $41.5 million worth of salary for next year.  Substitute JA Happ for Keuchel, and it becomes $37 million.  Throw in a cheap lefty bench bat, and you have a great free agent class.  Both of these seem relatively doable, and would be a good use of funds.  The Nats may not be as exciting or star studded without Bryce, but they would fill in some gaps that hurt the team this past season.  Plus, if you look at the lineup and rotation, it is still pretty impressive:

1. Adam Eaton RF
2. Trea Turner SS
3. Anthony Rendon 3B
4. Juan Soto LF
5. Ryan Zimmerman 1B
6. Victor Robles CF
7. DJ LeMahieu 2B
8. Wilson Ramos C

Rotation- Scherzer (R), Strasburg (R), Keuchel/Happ (L), Roark (R), Ross (R)


That team can still compete for the NL East title and a World Series.  It gives the young players in DC a chance to shine outside of Bryce's shadow.  If Harper doesn't come back, that is how I'd spend that money.