See I've always seen the offense as a problem, it's been SO frustrating hearing people say "oh we're in the top whatever in runs scored" yea we scored a ton in blowouts, that skewed the run total to not reflect our offense accurately-we could not manufacture runs when we needed to, we just couldn't. I was pissed when we signed Scherzer, just thought really, another pitcher is the last thing we need. I don't prefer to be pitching first; being pitching first has gotten us a whole lot of nothing so far 
I think our offense needs an immense overhaul; bullpen as well but man, I'm so tired of not getting runs (tonight's game notwithstanding).
This is what I don't get. The Nats are stuck with Zimmerman and Werth, for better or more likely worse. Going into 2015, they were expecting to have an OF consisting of Wert, Span, and Harper left to right. Desmond was their SS, regardless if you believe they tried to trade him or not. Zimmerman was the everyday 1B. Rendon was going to play either 2B or 3B. Ramos was supposed to "break out" at Catcher and Lobaton was a quality backup. Espinosa was the backup MI. They assumed guys like McLouth would be healthy and back to fill the bench. They opened up the last bench spot for a guy like Robinson or Carp to step into. Then the big change to the offense was acquiring Escobar.
Overall, that limits improving the offense, and Escobar turned out to be a stellar surprise as did Robinson. The unfortunate rash of injuries plagued the team, even the inevitable Zimmerman one, but the backups were in place and honestly, the Nats stayed afloat during that time. Come trade deadline, Rizzo betted on returns from those guys that are supposed to put up those stats. They didn't, and the deadline looks horrendous now because the only move he made to help the offense was zilch.
Say what you will about Scherzer, especially now, but I think he is just going through something right now and he is too good to continue to get hit this hard. I'm not sure how anyone can make a move for someone like Cespedes and expect that there was enough playing time to go around for everyone once they got off the DL. He gambled and gambled wrong, and I can't totally fault him for that. The Mets knew they had a crap offense and had a chance to pull ahead. The Nats situtation was much less clear, and many smart baseball people backed Rizzo's decisions, or at least that is what MLB Network Radio has led me to believe.
Overall, if he loses his job, it's going to be because he is pig headed for trying to hold onto Williams. I don't think anyone can really gripe about his roster construction, and there is always the factor that with a manager better suited to get the most out of the roster that this team wouldn't be 10 games ahead right now.
I'm with Omaha. It's time for a little shakeup, but not a fire sale. Desmond is gone next year and replaced by Turner. I would capitalize on Escobar's career year and flip him for some prospect. Span is gone, but Taylor is showing that he can definitely hang in CF. Rendon needs to go back to 3B so there is a quality defender there. Turner should start at 2B if his arm isn't strong enough for SS, and either capitalize on Espinosa at SS or look elsewhere. Catcher needs to be upgraded and Ramos needs to be gone. I'm not sure how crazy I am with getting Weiters given how he looks now, but he is still an upgrade both offensively and defensively.
Main thing is to rid the team of MW and the rest of the coaching staff and start new. Find a guy who is more capable of motivating and understanding his players and the advanced game that baseball has turned into.
