Rizzo traded Yunel Escobar and tried to get a 2nd baseman by attempting to sign free agent Ben Zobrist and trade for Brandon Phillips.
The Brandon Phillips trade could still work and in case it does not there has to be an alternative plan. Rizzo could get creative and jump into other trade possibilities that won’t work like Jason Kipnis and Joe Panik and Dee Gordon; however, there are some lefties in the next tier that can work like Daniel Murphy and Kelly Johnson as Free Agents and trades like Scooter Gennett, Cory Spangenberg, Luis Valbuena and Cesar Hernandez (SH), and there are some intriguing right-handers who could be traded like Starlin Castro who is nearing the end with the Cubs.
Kelly Johnson slashed .264/.314/.444/.758 vs RHPs
Scooter Gennett .279/.310/.403/.713 vs RHPs
Cory Spangenberg .270/.319/.419/.738 vs RHPs
Luis Valbuena .247/.327/.481/.808 vs RHPs
Cesar Hernandez .254/.322/.331/.653 vs RHPs and .314/.381/.388/.769 vs LHPs
Valbeuna had the highest OPS and surprisingly the last he played 2nd base he was a +0.9 UZR. Spangenberg was the best of this group at a +1.5 UZR for 20th best of 2nd baseman. Kelly Johnson -1.7, Cesar Hernandez -2.9, Scooter Gennett -3.2. Scooter Gennett was a +0.3 in his Rookie season.
Report: Nationals agree to acquire Brandon Phillips, who needs to approve deal https://t.co/7SMbsxogLB
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) December 18, 2015
We had someone mention Dustin Ackley as another possibility based on his strong finish with the Yankees. The sample size was 23 games although they were 23 very very good games as he had huge numbers vs RHPs with a 1.112 OPS. The Nats have options if Brandon Phillips doesn’t work.
Check back for updates.
