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Atlanta Braves 2021 NL East Rivals: are the Nationals “back”?

By Alan Carpenter

Will the Atlanta Braves have to be concerned about a resurgent Nationals club in 2021? (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Will the Atlanta Braves have to be concerned about a resurgent Nationals club in 2021? (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
Here come the Nationals for 2021… but do they have enough to beat the Atlanta Braves? Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports /

This is the third in a series to see how the NL East has changed and how those changes may impact the Atlanta Braves in 2021.

In 2019 the Washington Nationals broke through from being unable to get past a first playoff round and dispatched all opposition in taking the World Series.  Then 2020 happened and the first of all was relegated to last place in the NL East, a full nine games behind the Atlanta Braves after playing just 60 times.

It was almost like the Nats organization collectively decided that after winning that title, 2020 would be a breather for them while they regrouped… especially when Stephen Strasburg went down with a carpal tunnel diagnosis.

Was that 26-34 an anomaly for Washington?  Strasburg or not, that’s a big swing from their 93-69 record in 2019.

So now what should we expect?  Have they improved their lot for 2021?  A lot of people think so.  Let’s start with the transactions and find out for ourselves.

SUBTRACTIONS:

  • C Kurt Suzuki
  • RHP Anibal Sanchez
  • LHP Sean Doolittle
  • RF Adam Eaton
  • 3B Asdrubal Cabrera
  • 2B Howie Kendrick
  • 1B Eric Thames
  • 2B Brock Holt
  • CF Michael A. Taylor
  • LHP Roenis Elias
  • RHP Javy Guerra (later re-signed to a minor league deal; spring invite)
  • LHP Sam Freeman
  • 1B Ryan Zimmerman (later re-signed)

ADDITIONS:

  • LHP Samuel Clay signed
  • RHP Matthew Merrill (minor league deal)
  • LF Yasmany Tomas (minor league signing; spring invite)
  • RHP Rogelio Armenteros claimed via waivers from Arizona
  • RHP Jefry Rodriguez (minor league signing; spring invite)
  • Trade:  1B Josh Bell acquired for RHP Wil Crowe, RHP Eddy Yeam (Pirates)
  • LHP Luis Avilan (minor league signing; spring invite)
  • LF Kyle Schwarber
  • C Wellington Castillo (minor league signing; spring invite)
  • LHP Brad Hand
  • LHP Jon Lester
  • C Blake Swihart
  • C Alex Avila
  • LHP T.J. McFarland (minor league signing; spring invite)
  • LF Gerardo Parra (minor league signing; spring invite… yes, Baby Shark is back)

In all, the list is shorter than the corresponding charts for both the Marlins and the Phillies, but there may be a few more impactful players involved than for either of these other clubs we’ve previewed already.

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