The Washington Nationals have not tasted the postseason since winning their most recent World Series title back in 2019. However, with a strong young core in place, the time might be now to supplement it with some free agent additions.
They could use some help with their starting rotation. There are a lot of options available in free agency this winter.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller predicts that the Nats will sign veteran right-hander Nick Pivetta to a two-year, $28 million deal.
"[Pivetta] could be for the Washington Nationals a slightly more established (and more than twice as expensive) version of the Trevor Williams signing they made two years ago," Miller wrote.
"The Nats are clearly in a position to do something this offseason, and adding a veteran arm to the rotation to replace Williams and Patrick Corbin should be at the top of their to-do list.
They might view themselves as close enough to contention to make a huge move like signing Max Fried. Or they might take more of a half-measure by bringing in Pivetta to serve as their No. 2 starter behind MacKenzie Gore."
Pivetta has never been much of an innings-eater over the course of his career and hasn't posted an ERA below four. This year, he logged 145 2/3 innings, posted a 4.14 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, a 1.8 WAR and even averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
He could certainly bring some swing-and-miss to the Nationals rotation, and it's always possible that the Nationals could unlock something in him, similarly to what the Kansas City Royals were able to do with right-hander Seth Lugo.
Pivetta went 6-12 in 27 appearances and 26 starts with the Boston Red Sox this past season.
Washington could be in a position to give him a two-year deal this winter. It will be interesting to see what tricks they have up their sleeves as they try to emerge from their rebuild.
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