White Sox: Three Washington Nationals players to pursue
The Chicago White Sox might be looking at the 2019 World Series Champions for a few players to add to their team in the offseason.
The Chicago White Sox have expectations now. Their fans are not the only ones that want them to finally compete for a playoff spot. They believe as an organization that they are going to be in the mix once the 2020 season rolls around. In order for them to do that, they are going to need to have a big offseason. There is no better way to look than our nation’s capital at the Washington Nationals.
The Nationals are fresh off of winning their first-ever World Series title. They have had some long, grueling moments but they finally did it. They were in a tough spot when they were ten games out of a playoff spot at the end of May. They reached the 30 loss mark before they reached the 20 win mark. To come back from that is something special and they deserve all the credit.
They now have a solid mix of veterans and young players that all have the experience needed to win the World Series. For the White Sox, it is about getting to the playoffs at all first and the Nationals might have a few players available this offseason that would work well in Chicago. These are all guys who now have the necessary experience needed to get the job done in the hardest moments. The other 29 teams in the big leagues should at least do their due diligence on any guy coming off a World Series win if they are planning on being competitive in 2020 themselves. These three players would look really good on the south side:
90. . 3B/2B. Washington Nationals. Anthony Rendon. 1. player
There is no doubt that Anthony Rendon is one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball. He was once again one of the best players in all of baseball in 2019 and he capped it off by becoming a World Series Champion for the first time in his career. He had a WAR of 6.3 and put up monster offensive numbers. He hit 34 home runs and had a Major League-leading 126 RBIs. The power numbers were huge and he also slashed .319/.412/.598.
At 29 years old, he still has a lot of really good years left to play Major League Baseball. He has the skills and leadership experiences to help out a young team. He would be a perfect fit for the Chicago White Sox. They might need to use him at second base because they already have Yoan Moncada at third base but there is no doubt that his big bat would be amazing in the middle of the White Sox lineup. He is also old enough to help these young players learn how to win.
This offseason is big for the White Sox and Rendon is one of the biggest names out there. He is a game-breaker and has a chance to be in the MVP conversation for at least the next few years. A guy like this is going to be highly touted this winter and if Washington doesn’t get him to resign then there is no reason the White Sox couldn’t offer him a lot of money.
Howie Kendrick. 2. player. 90. . 2B/LF/1B. Washington Nationals
Howie Kendrick is the perfect non-everyday player. He is 36 years old so he certainly isn’t part of any team’s long term future but he would be able to help the White Sox in many areas. If he were able to be signed and brought in, he would be a strong addition both on and off the field. He has been around the block in his Major League career. He reached the apex of his career last season when he was a major part of the Nationals winning their first World Series in team history.
He was so good in their run that he was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series. That is no easy feat and he could bring some of that experience to a new club. If that new club was the Chicago White Sox, he would provide a lot to one of the youngest teams in the league. He probably wouldn’t be an everyday player here either but he would find himself in at least a part of a lot of games. He can come off the bench and pinch-hit and play the field if they needed.
He would also be a much better replacement for a potential injury than some of the guys the White Sox have used in the past few years. They have always had some good players at the top of their roster but they let the bottom fall out. A guy like Howie Kendrick could be a guy that helps them avoid that. He would also help out a young clubhouse off the field so this might be a wise option for the White Sox.
90. . SP. Washington Nationals. Stephen Strasburg. 3. player
One of the top pitchers on the market is Stephen Strasburg. He was amazing in the playoffs for Washington en route to winning the World Series. He was especially good in the actual World Series and he won the World Series MVP. It was an awesome run by an awesome pitcher. A few days after winning the championship he informed the Nationals that he was not going to opt-in to his current contract. He is a free agent.
That fact does not guarantee that he will leave Washington, he is just going to get a major payday regardless of who he plays for. The White Sox would be really smart to use some of that money they have on a high quality starting pitcher. With guys like Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech, and Dylan Cease in the fold, they would really benefit from adding a top of the rotation stud like Strasburg. He also has some extra playoff experience now that would really go a long way with this group if they are able to turn the corner in 2020.
Who is Chicago's biggest threat in the AL Central in 2020?. light. Related Story
He went 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.038 WHIP. It was an outstanding season for Strasburg and one he is going to be looking to build on in 2020. For what he would bring to the rotation and to the team as a whole both on and off the field would truly be worth the money he is going to cost. It may be unlikely, but if you are the White Sox it is something that they should explore.