Here is what Nationals fans want under their tree
To celebrate Christmas, we will make a list of some things Nationals fans want under the tree heading into 2025. After the Nationals got the ultimate gift of a world series title in 2019, there have not been many gifts since. However, Santa Claus might be coming back to DC this year.
The first item on the wishlist is a power bat. While Mike Rizzo gifted Nationals fans a first baseman in Nathaniel Lowe, he is not a 30 home run bopper. The Nationals still need one more bat. A Christmas miracle would be the signing of Anthony Santander. The long time Oriole hit 44 home runs last year, and would give the Nats an elite power threat. The 30 year old is an option both in the corner outfield and at DH. If Rizzo wants to go in another direction, or ownership wants to be the grinch, there are some cheaper options. Former Nats Josh Bell and Jesse Winker are guys who make sense and would not cost much.
The second item on the list would be a James Wood breakthrough. None of the Nationals young players have made a leap towards superstardom yet. In my opinion, James Wood has the best chance to do that. Wood has all the traits to be a superstar at the plate. He is already a patient hitter, and when he makes contact, the ball jumps off his bat. In his first taste of big league action, Wood posted a 120 wRC+, despite having plenty of room to improve. If Santa can teach Wood to hit the ball in the air more, we will have a superstar on our hands. He has the raw power to be a 40 home run hitter and the plate discipline to post high on base percentages. At 22 years old, he has plenty of time to put it all together, but hopefully it comes this season.
A third item on the wish list is bullpen help. The Nats had a thin bullpen, and that was before they traded away Robert Garcia. Now, the bullpen is in desperate need of reinforcements. After trading away Garcia, one would think that Rizzo has something up his sleeve to improve the bullpen. The best reliever to hit free agency is Tanner Scott, and he is still on the market. Rizzo could go that route, or he can bring in a couple cheaper options. Jose Leclerc is a name that has caught my eye, and he is still available.
My final wish is for Mackenzie Gore to finally put it all together. I just can’t quit Gore as a potential top of the rotation arm. Maybe not as the future number one, but he still has all the makings of a number two starter. He has all the stuff in the world, he just needs to put it all together. Lance Brozdowski made a great video on what Gore needs to do to take the next step.
After a strong start, Gore hit a wall, which has become a familiar pattern for him. However, after a rough couple months, he turned things around during the last six weeks or so of the season. He managed to post an ERA under four, at 3.90. Gore also threw a career high 166.1 innings. His excellent performances down the stretch gave me hope that he still has the capability to be a high end starter.
These are my primary wishes, but there is so much Nationals fans can dream on heading into 2025. Feel free to comment some of your wishes down below. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of the Federal Baseball community!