I was feeling ZDKish on the first day of 2022, so I figured I'd go with it
Trade 1
Three team deal between the Nationals, Cubs, and Padres
Cubs Receive: Luis Campasano (Catcher - Padres), Wil Myers (OF/1B - Padres), Erick Fedde (RHP - Nationals), 6.2 million (Nationals to the Cubs to cover cost over luxury tax salary)
Padres Receive: Josh Bell (1B - Nationals) and Wilson Contreras (Catcher - Cubs)
Nationals Receive: Robert Hassell III (OF - Padres), Eric Hosmer (1B - Padres), Austin Nola (Catcher - Padres), Adrian Morejon (LHP - Padres), Euribiel Angeles (INF - Padres), Kyle Hendricks (RHP - Cubs)
Reasoning: The Padres came into this offseason needing three things: A better coaching staff (done), an improved bullpen with some depth (good start), and to clear payroll so they can add power hitting. They have to get rid of Eric Hosmer. Dumpin Wil Myers is enough to justify giving up Campusano in exchange for Contreras, with Hassell and Nola being the cost of the Nats picking up Myers and Hosmer. Morejon and Angeles are a bit low for what I value Bell at, but adding in Nola helps offset it. The Padres have a plethora of backup catchers, including Victor Carantani (Darvish's personal catcher), so they really don't need to hang on to Nola. This trade dramatically improves the Padres 2022 squad, doesn't take anyone other the Morejon who would have contributed in 2022, and gives them the payroll space to go after Nick Castellanos (they desperately need a corner OF with power).
The Cubs are the tricky part here as I don't know if they're willing to give up Hendricks. But all his peripherals indicate the beginning of a downturn and I'm hoping that getting such a prize as a franchise catcher for what amounts to a year of Contreras and two years of a back of the rotation guy is tantalizing enough to give it up. I've thrown in Erick Fedde. At the very least, he can pitch, and a fresh start with a different organization might be what he needs to click.
For the Nats, it will be clear what I do with everyone else, but I'd like to get Kendricks here to provide guidance to a young pitching staff and young catcher core. Morejon has good stuff, but is coming off TJS and likely won't pitch until later this year. And he has significant reliever risk. I like Angeles but there's a ton of risk as he's only 19.
Trade 2
Three team deal between the Marlins, Nationals, and Diamondbacks
Diamondbacks Receive: Robert Hassell III (OF - Nationals (via the Padres)), Jose Salas (SS - Marlins)
Marlins Receive: Ketel Marte (OF/2B - Diamondbacks)
Nationals Receive: Max Meyer (RHP - Marlins), Jake Eder (LHP - Marlins), Cody Morrissette (INF - Marlins)
Reasoning: So, straight up, if the Nats just want to keep Hassell and call it a day, I'd be down with that. That being said, there is an opportunity here, as the Nationals are about to get a pretty big influx of OF talent that is all about the same age rage (17-21). I'm not saying they can't use one more, but I do think they could maximize Hassell in a better way.
Diamondbacks get Hassell and a nice SS prospect. Maybe they could hold out and get more prospects with big ceiling, high risk, but I think Hassell is enough to get them to not go that route. Adding Salas just sweetens the pot more.
The Marlins need hitting, badly. In fact, I'd say that with addition of Stallings and the emergence of their pitchers, they're two or three bats away from competing in a weak division. Marte is perfect for CF and could be a cornerstone of their lineup for the next three years.
For the Nats, first off, I love Cody Morrissette. Frankly, I think it's a lot easier to get a guy to develop power than to get a guy to develop contact and low strikeouts. He's about to turn 22 and has plenty of frame to grow into and get stronger. He reminds me a lot of Anthony Rendon. Max Meyer has ace potential. I think the Marlins would try and give up Eury Perez here, as Meyer would likely be ready for MLB starts after the 2022 ASB. However, I think the notion of not having to give up any of their top 3 position player prospects would be far to appealing. Meyer throws mid to upper 90s and has an absolutely devastating slider. Jake Eder is a nice LHP that needs development, which he could get in a now stocked system. Mid 90s with a nice slide piece from the left hand side is always welcome in a minor league system.
Trade 3
Two team trade between the Nationals and the Yankees
Yankees Receive: Austin Nola (Catcher - Nationals (via Padres))
Nationals Receive: Trey Sweeney (INF - Yankees), Ken Waldichuk (LHP - Yankees)
Reasoning: All of Yankeedom is pretty much done watching Sanchez let balls past him behind the plate. The catching market is absurd right now, and the Cubs getting Campusano for one year of Contreras is only going to aggravate the situation more. The Yankees need someone to manage a pitching staff and not get burned. Anything that person can do with the bat is going to be a bonus. This move will also enable them to offload Sanchez for someone who will take the salary, which they need to do because they are pretty much at the luxury tax threshold and Hal doesn't want to pay.
I know everyone wants Dominguez here. To be honest, if we were able to swing Ketel Marte, we probably could have sent to the Yankees for Domingez+. But the Yankees aren't that style any more and they're more likely to want Matt Olson. So, I kept it simple. Nola is really hard to figure value for. He struggles to stay healthy, but is extremely defensively talented. So I went small here, aiming for high ceiling, but needing of significant development. Sweeney is another good contact, less power guy. I have a type. I freely admit it. Sweeney will be 22 next season, is 6'4'', and weighs 200. He can develop some more pop. He probably ends up at third or first due to his speed. Waldichuck is a LHP who recently discovered a four seamer that can hit 96. He has two plus offspeed options. He's also shown some ability with a change. There's significant potential here and with some time, he could be a good option, either in the rotation or the pen.
Trade 4
Two team trade between the Nationals and the Guardians
Guardians Receive: Yadiel Hernandez (OF - Nationals), Tres Barrera (Catcher - Nationals)
Nationals Receive: Carlos Vargas (RHP - Guardians)
Reasoning: The Guardians are so cheap cash strapped, they declined a 7 million dollar option on a decent catcher. They need someone in a corner OF spot. Hernandez is a gamble because he may not repeat last season. But combined with Barerra and it’s a decent gamble.
For the Nats, Hernandez has little use on this team. He’s a LF/DH option on a team that has more than enough light hitting options for LF. Catcher is full up here in DC, so Barrera gets moved to a place where he gets a chance to win the starting job. Carlos Vargas just underwent TJS. He profiles as upper 90s, single inning reliever. He’s 22 and about to start low A ball all over again.
Free Agency
Richard Rodriguez – 1 year, 5 million. Rodriguez was highly coveted last season. And then found out he needed sticky stuff. I’m hoping that between the offseason to prepare and MLB and the MLBPA agreeing to a tackier baseball, Rodriguez will find his old self and go back to a double digit K/9 rate.
Keone Kela – 1 year, 1.2 million. In 2019, Kela was a really good reliever with closer potential. Then he hurt his elbow in the 2020 covid season. Signed with the Padres that offseason, tried to rehab, tore his UCL, and got TJS in May of this season. He likely won’t be ready for big league innings until mid-to-late June, so the Nats will give him the same deal the Padres did to rehab. With some luck, he’ll be back to his old self and can be dealt at the deadline for something.
Seiya Suzuki – 3 years, 45 million (4th year, player option at 20 million). Yea, yea, yea. No chance. But it’s ZDK thread so I do what I want. If you need realism, replace this with Kyle Schwarber). Suzuki is gonna be a freaking stud. And I love the idea of complementing the left handed Soto with the right handed Suzuki. Both guys love to take pitches and work counts. He’s only 27 and is in his prime. Give him 2022 to get used to MLB pitching and then watch him and Soto carry a re-surgent 2023 team to glory.
Come to Jesus Talk with Eric Hosmer – Hosmer has basically refused all attempts to fix his swing by San Diego. And the truth is, he’s a small adjustment away from being a productive hitter again, albiet, an overpaid one. He’s done it by mistake, both this year (right after the ASB) and last year, during the covid season. There are also reports about him being a malcontent, though they are mainly focused on it after he found out he was being shopped. So basically, the coaches, Zim, and probably Soto need to confront him: The Padres literally gave away prospects to get rid of him. If he isn’t going to put in the work to fix his crap, then the Nats will have zero qualms about cutting him. 3+ WAR seasons out of Max Meyer is easily worth 18 million AAV. Anything else we get is gravy. If he truly wants revenge, get in the cage, fix the launch angle, start OPSing over .800 against RHP again.
