The biggest storyline for the Washington Nationals heading into the offseason was what would unfold with Bryce Harper and his free agency. They reportedly presented him with a 10-year contract extension late into the regular season, which Harper rejected.
While interest in the 26-year-old outfielder has been a bit tepid thus far, at least publicly, Nationals owner Mark Lerner casted doubt on the likelihood of the team re-signing Harper. In the time since, the club has acquired Yan Gomes, signed Patrick Corbin, Kurt Suzuki and Matt Adams, and traded Tanner Roark.
One area the Nationals have yet to address this winter is second base. According to Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post, Brian Dozier and D.J. LeMahieu are among the options the team is considering:
A second baseman would be next, and the Nationals have expressed interest in DJ LeMahieu, Josh Harrison and Brian Dozier. A person familiar with the Nationals’ plans suggested that LeMahieu would be too expensive to land. And so it seems like veterans such as Dozier, Harrison or Jed Lowrie could be a better, shorter-term fit, which leads into the franchise’s longer view at the position.
Dozier spent the past season with the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers before becoming a free agent. He expressed interest in re-signing with the Dodgers but there’s yet to be anything that’s suggested it’s a possibility.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers have been among the teams linked to LeMahieu. He is coming off a down season but was an All-Star in 2017 and won the National League batting title the season prior.
