Pretty bleak outlook...
I think this is a very bizarre year for the franchise.
2005-2011 was just suck city. I hesitate with 2005 and 2011 but I include them anyway. 2005 the team definitely OVER produced, and 2011 was maybe the beginning of setting right the path of having a more "winning team".
2012-2020 were the contender years. 2020 was such a whack year that it only counts in there because the Nats brought back many guys from the WS run to try and repeat but got bit by a bum season and father time catching up to guys.
2021 is really the first season where it seems like the direction isn't quite right. The "big moves" this offseason were to pick up a buy low candidate 1B, cash in on a weird market for a previously dominant reliever, bring in another veteran starter on a cheap deal, and finally add in an interesting player to "boost offense" in LF. The rest was bank on better years from guys who were hurt/underperformed in 2020, and/or hope the only two prospects close enough to the majors developed. So far, we've seen a real mixed bag. I think the bar is still set pretty low because that WS run was so spectacular.
I was at last night's game in Philly, and aside from all the great things I can say about how wonderful it feels to have gone to a real live baseball game again, I came away with a different feel for this year's team. I am rooting for guys like Schwarber and Bell because, I don't really know how to say it, but I feel like this is the perfect time for them to maybe prove their abilities and get shipped away if they build up their trade value. This is like the weird "intermediary" years of the franchise. Take on some weird contracts for players who have lots of potential but haven't shown it (or haven't shown it in a while) and see where you go. Maybe it's more like the goal isn't so much to go "all in", but to restock the team without having to tank. The farm system is barren thanks to all the moves made to bring that magical WS run to town, and this isn't exactly news to anyone. Instead of trying to trade away everybody, I think maybe it's a plan of "pick a guy to build around and put out a team that basically holds it's head above water each year". Maybe a few years of that means that you were able to cash in on Schwarber/Bell/Hand for some above average prospects who could maybe turn into something. Not talking about getting All Stars for each and every position, but get some prospects back into the pipeline who could at least come up and be decent major leaguers.
Apologies for the walls of text.
