Yesterday Ryan Zimmerman and Dan Kolko did theirs podcast with new manager Blake Butera. One thing that stood 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 contracts, but everyone in the clubhouse knows those guys will come and go.
Zimmerman wants to bring in a leader who will last for several years. He specifically proposed a 2 to 4 year contract. I completely agree with this and it is something that the team has been missing for years. The veterans the Nats brought in have fought to revive their careers. We need an older head who knows he will be there and be part of the project.
There are a few players that fit those parameters for me and they are guys the Nationals should go after. The first name that comes to mind is Eugenio Suarez. It fits on multiple levels. At 34 years old, Suarez fits perfectly into the two-to-four year range. He would also be an impactful player on the field. Suarez destroyed 49 home runs last season. Sure, he’s 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 be suitable for this exercise, but it would be very expensive. Suarez won’t cost that much, but still provides that enormous power.
Importantly, Suarez is also known as one enormous clubhouse dude. Wherever he has played, Suarez has been loved by teammates. When Suarez was traded back to Seattle, where he previously played, he received a hero Welcome. No one has ever said a bad word about the man and he would be a great leader for a young team.
Right now, Suarez is a third baseman, but he would fit in well at DH or even first base for the Nats. Suarez is one suitable defensive third baseman, but the Nats will likely want to give Brady House some point. With Suarez’s strength, his bat can fit in 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.
Given Suarez’s age and one-dimensional play, there is some risk. He struggled with the bat after the trade to Seattle, but I’d still give him a three-year deal for around $50 million. Players who hit 49 home runs don’t grow on trees. I think he would be a great fit for the Nats.
The next player we will discuss is a man Nats fans have become very familiar with over the years. JT Realmuto has played his entire career in the NL East. He was a star for both the Marlins and Phillies. At one point he was the best catcher in baseball, but that’s the case now delayed a bit in recent years.
He may not be what he once was, but Realmuto is still a very capable starting catcher. The veteran is still a good offensive catcher who is elite at controlling the running game. His offense suffered from uncharacteristically poor numbers against left-handed pitching last season, which hasn’t been a problem for him in the past. Realmuto still hit right-handed people do.
At 35, Realmuto should be in line for a two-year contract. He has more to offer than Pudge Rodriguez did when he joined the Nats, but Realmuto could have the same impact off the field. Catchers are often the team’s best leaders and Realmuto has been around for a long time.
Having spent the last few years with the Phillies, he knows what it takes to win games in this division. He would be a very good mentor for a young Nationals team that needs leaders. A two-year contract for $30 million would be a fair offer for both parties.
Suarez and Realmuto are my two favorite targets for what Zimmerman is suggesting, but there are a few other guys I want to discuss. When I think of leaders, I think of position players, but pitchers can be leaders too. Of all the free agent pitchers, Chris Bassitt is the guy who fits Zimmerman’s parameters. Despite being 37, Bassitt shows no signs of slowing down and will likely land a multi-year contract.
He is known as a good clubhouse guy and is as 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 great fit.
Other position players that come to mind are Jorge Polanco, Ha-Seong Kim and Ryan O’Hearn. However, those guys don’t seem to have the same kind of leadership qualities as Suarez or Realmuto. However, they would be very high-quality pickups. Harrison Bader brings a fire and intensity that I love, but the Nats already have so many outfielders.
Ryan Zimmerman isn’t asking anything crazy when he talks about bringing in a veteran on a two-to-four year contract. He’s not saying they should spend a lot of money on a Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwarber, although that would be great. All he wants is for the Nats to bring in a true veteran leader who is a good enough player where the clubhouse will listen to them.
It’s debatable whether the Nats are in a place where they should be signing mega-deals for more than five years, but a mid-term contract for a veteran leader makes a lot of sense. Blake Butera needs a leader in the clubhouse and a man who can show all the young players what it means to be a professional. Eugenio Suarez or JT Realmuto would be a great fit to lead this young team into a brighter future.
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