Luis Edu
The Washington Nationals have moved on from nearly all of their stars recently, and in this list we’ll review the best contracts the capital franchise will have heading into the 2022 Major League Baseball season.
5. Will Harris
Will Harris has been one of the greatest right-handed relievers in the last 5 years in the MLB, although in 2021 he was barely able to be on the mound for 6 innings due to his physical problems. However, the veteran is still highly regarded and he currently has an annual salary of $8 million dollars.
On a team that has had serious bullpen problems, even when they won the championship in 2019, Harris’ work will be crucial to the team’s aspirations of fighting for the National League East Division pennant.
4. Josh Bell
Josh Bell is a power hitter in the Nationals’ lineup, and for his work he receives an annual salary of $9 million dollars. The first baseman is coming off his first campaign with the Nationals, where he recorded 27 home runs and 88 runs batted in, with a .267 average and a .347 OBP.
After his stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bell seems to be mature enough to be the offensive heart of a team, looking to return to the postseason.
3. Juan Soto
Juan Soto is one of the few players who represent the present and the future of MLB, although that is not reflected in his current deal with the Nationals. The deal guarantees him $15.5 million per campaign. It is a low figure considering that other players with not so good numbers receive up to $30 million.
Since his arrival in the MLB, Soto has made a difference because of his incredible ability as a hitter, paired up with his leadership in the dugout that is unmatched by any other star at his level. In 2021, the Dominican finished the MLB regular campaign with an astronomical .465 OBP, 29 homers and 95 RBIs.
2. Patrick Corbin
Patrick Corbin had a performance to forget in 2021, but he remains one of the highest paid player of the team with an annual salary of $23 million dollars. The left-handed starter unexpectedly looked very bad and it is expected that he will be able to return to his best in the upcoming campaign, where he will once again be one of the stars of the rotation along with Stephen Strasburg.
Corbin has a lifetime MLB record of 81 wins and 84 losses, with a 4.09 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.
1. Stephen Strasburg
With the departure of Max Scherzer in the last campaign, Stephen Strasburg assumed the responsibility of being the ace of the rotation, a role he will be able to fill only if he can stay healthy throughout the campaign.
The right-handed starter has a contract that guarantees him an annual base salary of $35 million dollars.
Since his arrival in the Major Leagues as one of the most promising young pitchers, Strasburg has not been able to display 100% of his talent due to constant injuries, and his physical condition will be crucial to the Nationals’ performance in a National League East Division that has the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets as favorites.
In the 2021 MLB campaign, the 33-year-old pitcher could only be on the mound for 21.2 innings, where he totaled 20 strikeouts and posted a 4.57 ERA.
After the title won in 2019, things have not gone the best way for the Washington Nationals.
