With Alex Bregman still sitting on the market, the Nationals should pounce
Right now the biggest hole on the Nationals roster is at third base. It seems like it has been this way ever since Anthony Rendon left. Luckily, Alex Bregman, the best third baseman in free agency by far is still on the market. Mark Lerner and Mike Rizzo should pounce at the opportunity to grab an All-Star third baseman. However, based on their actions this offseason, the prospect of ownership agreeing to a deal that pays more than $10 million a year seems unlikely.
Bregman would bring a elite defense, a steady bat, and much needed leadership to the locker room. With talks with the Tigers at a standstill, the Nationals could jump in and get him at a price that would have seemed like a steal in the beginning of the offseason.
While Bregman has not reached his 2019 heights in the past few years, he is a perennial 4.5 win player. He is a gold glove third baseman, who’s bat is still very good. Bregman’s career low .768 OPS was dragged down by a dreadful start, where he was rumored to be playing hurt. His second half OPS of .834 is much closer to the player he really is.
There are also mounting concerns around Brady House, the presumptive third baseman of the future in DC. In Triple-A, House’s chase rate was a staggering 43%, a mark that would have been third worst in the big leagues. Pitchers in triple-A were exposing this swing happy approach, and it would be a major problem against big league pitching. However, he is young enough and has shown enough in the minor leagues to be a solid trade chip.
The Nationals have tried young and cheap options at third base for years, and it simply has not worked. Going out and getting a guy you know is a stud should at least be on the table.
One other point in Bregman’s favor is the Nationals having the first pick in the 2025 draft. Ethan Holliday is seen by many to be the top prospect in the draft, and plays third base. Signing Bregman on a four year deal would provide the perfect bridge to Holliday. It would allow Holliday to develop at his own pace. Bregman also has a profile that would work at second base. If Holliday is ready by the end of Bregman’s contract, you can move Bregman to second, a position he is open to playing.
The Nationals need more certainty in their lineup. There is a lot of potential, but not a lot of guarentees. Bregman provides that certainty, as well as a veteran presence. I can guarantee that Ted Lerner would be talking to Scott Boras to inquire about Bregman. Whether Mark Lerner is willing to do the same is far less certain. There is an arms race in the National League, and the Nats need to start loading up.