The Nationals have long seemed like the favorites to land White Sox closer David Robertson. Washington has a team talented enough to push for the National League pennant, but without a dominant closer, it seems unlikely that the team unseats the Cubs.
Currently Shawn Kelly, Blake Treinen and Koda Glover are the three most likely candidates to enter the season as the Nationals ninth inning pitcher. As I listed in a previous article, the three have a combined 12 major league saves.
Adding a player like Robertson, who has proven time and time again that he knows what it takes to close, greatly bolsters the Nationals chances of reaching the World Series. The team already has a dominant offense and pitching staff, adding a talented closer could be the missing piece.
The two clubs have had dialogue earlier this offseason. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale even reported that a deal was close at one time. With the Nats having an obvious need and the White Sox having an obvious solution, it was only a matter of time before the two teams rekindled trade discussion.
On Tuesday, February 21st, the Nationals signed former All Star catcher Matt Wieters to a two year deal.
Sources: Nats are closing in on a deal for free agent catcher Matt Wieters
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 21, 2017
Wieters on his own is a great signing for Washington. He is a career .256 hitter with 117 home runs and 437 RBIs. He was voted to his fourth All Star game in 2016.
However Wieters signing also creates a surplus for the Nationals. The team’s major league roster now features three catchers in Wieters, Derek Norris and Jose Lobaton. Washington also has an incredibly talented catching prospect in Pedro Severino.
The White Sox need for a backstop has been widely known. The team currently has Geovany Soto, Omar Narvaez and Kevan Smith in major league Spring Training.
Soto is the veteran and likely the starter. His 12 years in the MLB will help groom the White Sox fairly young pitching core. Narvaez is the incumbent starter and just 25 years old. He has stuggled during his time in the MLB, but has the potential to become atleast a major league backup. Smith is going on age 29 and is more of organizational depth at this point.
At the minor league level the White Sox have talented prospect Zack Collins. Collins hitting abilty is undeniable, but some are worried about the prospects of him staying behind the dish. If he is forced to move to first base, the team’s catching depth would take a serious hit.
Overall, Soto or Naravez are both below average MLB starters. Collins oozes potential, but it is not yet known if that potential will come as a backstop. The Chicago White Sox are in need of a catcher.
With the Nationals still in need of a closer and the White Sox still looking to add a catcher, both teams remain the perfect trade partners.
