Yesterday, Ryan Zimmerman and Dan Kolko did their podcast with new manager Blake Butera. One thing that stuck out to me was when Zimmerman talked about bringing in a veteran presence on a multi-year deal.
The Nats have had a lot of veterans on one-year deals, but everyone in the clubhouse knows those guys will come and go.
Zimmerman wants to bring in a leader that will be around for multiple years. He specifically suggested a 2-4 year deal. I totally agree with this and it is something the team has been missing for years. The veterans the Nats have brought in have been fighting to revive their careers. We need an older head who knows he will be around and part of the project.
There are a few players that fit these parameters for me and are guys the Nationals should go after. The first name that comes to mind is Eugenio Suarez. He fits the bill on multiple levels. At 34 years old, Suarez fits perfectly into that 2-4 year deal range. He would also be an impactful player on the field. Suarez smashed 49 home runs last season. Sure, he is a home run or bust hitter, but those flaws can be overlooked with that kind of power.
Suarez is one of three players with six 30 home run seasons since 2018. Ironically, the other two, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, are also free agents. Schwarber would also fit the bill for this exercise, but he would be very pricey. Suarez will not cost as much, but still provides that enormous power upside.
Importantly, Suarez is also known as a tremendous clubhouse guy. Everywhere he has played, Suarez has been beloved by teammates. When Suarez was traded back to Seattle, where he played before, he got a hero’s welcome. Nobody has ever had a bad word to say about the guy and he would be a great leader for a young team.
Right now, Suarez is a third baseman, but he would be a fit at DH or even first base for the Nats. Suarez is a capable defensive third baseman, but the Nats will likely want to give Brady House some run. With Suarez’s power, his bat fits at any position. If House struggles and needs more time in AAA, you also have the luxury of being able to move Suarez back to third base.
With Suarez’s age and one dimensional game, there is some risk. He struggled with the bat after the trade to Seattle, but I would still be willing to give him a 3 year deal for about $50 million. Players who hit 49 home runs do not grow on trees. I think he would be a very strong fit with the Nats.
The next player to discuss is a guy Nats fans have become very familiar with over the years. J.T. Realmuto has played in the NL East his whole career. He has been a star for both the Marlins and Phillies. At one point, he was the best catcher in baseball, but has slowed down a bit over the last few years.
He may not be what he once was, but Realmuto is still a highly capable starting catcher. The veteran is still a good offensive catcher who is elite at controlling the running game. His offense suffered last season due to uncharacteristically poor numbers against left handed pitching, which has not been an issue for him in the past. Realmuto still hit right handers well though.
At 35 years old, Realmuto should be in line for a two year deal. He has more in the tank than Pudge Rodriguez did when he joined the Nats, but Realmuto could have the same kind of effect off the field. Catchers are often the best leaders on the team and Realmuto has been around the block for a long time.
Having played with the Phillies the past few years, he knows what it takes to win games in this division. He would be a really good mentor for a young Nationals team that needs leaders. A two-year deal for $30 million would be a fair offer for both sides.
Suarez and Realmuto are my two favorite targets for what Zimmerman is suggesting, but there are a few other guys I want to touch on. When I think of leaders, my mind turns to position players, but pitchers can also be leaders. Of all the free agent pitchers, Chris Bassitt is the guy who fits Zimmerman’s parameters. Despite being 37, Bassitt is showing no signs of slowing down and will likely fetch a multi-year deal.
He is known as a good clubhouse guy and is steady as they come. In an era where pitchers are so volatile, Bassitt is so reliable. We wrote about him earlier in the offseason and I still think he would be a strong fit.
Other position players that come to mind are Jorge Polanco, Ha-Seong Kim and Ryan O’Hearn. However, those guys do not appear to have the same kind of leadership chops as Suarez or Realmuto. They would be very quality pick ups though. Harrison Bader brings a fire and intensity that I love, but the Nats already have so many outfielders.
Ryan Zimmerman is not asking for anything crazy when he talks about bringing in a veteran on a 2-4 year deal. He is not saying they have to break the bank on a Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwarber, though that would be great. All he wants is the Nats to bring in a real veteran leader who is a good enough player to where the clubhouse will listen to them.
It is debatable whether the Nats are in a spot where they should be signing 5+ year mega deals, but a medium term contract for a veteran leader makes a ton of sense. Blake Butera needs a leader in the clubhouse and a guy who can show all the young players what it means to be a pro. Eugenio Suarez or J.T. Realmuto would be a great fit to help lead this young squad into a brighter future.
