Geoff Burke-Imagn Images The Washington Nationals absence of home run power was a glaring weakness last season. Their 135 home runs ranked 2nd to last in baseball, just 2 in advance of the historically bad Chicago White Sox. If the Nationals desire to take a step in their march back in the direction of contention, they need to add more thump to the schedule, and management understands 's CommentsGeneral Manager Mike Rizzo is cognizant of the problem. During his interview with MLB Network during the Winter Months Conferences, he mentioned the truth the Nats were second to last in home runs. It was the first thing he mentioned when he was asked concerning the offseason strategies. There is no inquiry that the Nationals will generate a power bat, the inquiry is the quality of will rely on the type of money possession agrees to spend. With nobody on the energetic roster scheduled to make more than 5. 4 million dollars, there is no reason not to spend huge. Nonetheless, that is no assurance offered the Nationals background since Mark Lerner took over the group from his TargetsThe two easiest areas to upgrade are at initial base and DH. Today, the Nats are predicted to have Juan Yepez and Andres Chaparro fill up those settings. The two have a combined 0 bWAR in their MLB jobs, making them replacement level. The Nationals need to update one or both of those appealing target that has been connected to the Nationals is Christian Walker. He has actually hit at the very least 25 crowning achievement each of the previous three years, a level of uniformity the Nationals frantically need. Walker is regularly above average player, who integrates great power with a great strategy. An included incentive Walker would give is gold glove degree defense initially base. He has won three gold handwear covers straight, and would massively help the Nationals young infielders. Pedestrian must be a top priority for the Nationals. His rate point ought to be a 3 year offer at between 20 and 25 million bucks a the Nationals have not been related to him, Joc Pederson, he examines a great deal of boxes for the group. He is an experienced power player, that can give home runs and experience. Joc is coming off one of the very best seasons of his job, where he posted a. 908 OPS. As a squad option, he pairs nicely with Chaparro or Yepez, that both mash left handed pitching. With Pedestrian at first, and a DH platoon of Pederson and Yepez/Chaparro, the Nationals schedule would look a lot extra ImprovementsThe Nationals are also counting on their young players to take the following action this period. For the Nationals to take a leap, James Wood and Dylan Crews will certainly need to be constant power hazards. They both have tons of capability, but require to make some modifications to touch right into their is a specifically fascinating situation. There are very few players in the organization that can strike the round as hard he can. Nevertheless, that did not equate right into crowning achievement. His 9 homers in 295 at bats are underwhelming for a gamer with as much raw power as him Derek Law Jersey. Timber's problem is that he strikes the sphere on the ground as well much, and rarely draws the sphere airborne. His 55. 6 GB% is over 10 factors over MLB standard. He likewise did not draw a flyball for the very first 2 months of his profession. When he lastly did, he did damage. Timber has the prospective to be the real 40 home run bat the Nationals desperately require. Nonetheless, as is the instance with the majority of the Nationals youngsters, there is still plenty of area to develop. For the Nationals to exceed. 500, they need to add power, both in complimentary company and via internal renovation.