Martinez wants Turner to keep running, even in front of Harper

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Given his association with analytics, it's easy to assume Davey Martinez isn't a big proponent of the stolen base. The Cubs stole only 62 bases last season, fourth-fewest in the National League.

Then again, the Cubs didn't have Trea Turner. Which changes the whole ballgame.

Over his last 162 big league games, Turner has swiped 76 bases. Martinez isn't about to tell one of the fastest players in the sport to ease off the gas pedal. Even if he doesn't regularly hit leadoff this season. And even if Bryce Harper is batting directly behind him.

"I told him: 'If you hit second, leadoff, wherever you hit in the lineup, it doesn't change anything,' " the Nationals' new manager said. "I want him to be aggressive on the bases. And he knows that. We had a great conversation and I told him: 'Hey, you're going to steal. As a hitter behind you, I'd much rather have you on second base than at first base.' I said: 'We've got to be conscious of the situations of the game.' And that's something that we'll talk about throughout spring training."

With Adam Eaton (and his .363 on-base percentage since 2014) set to be the Nationals' regular leadoff man, Turner is most likely going to find himself batting second. He's perfectly comfortable with that, pointing out that he most often hit second or third in college and the minors.

But Harper's presence behind him might make Turner think twice about running too much. If the theory is not to leave first base open and entice opponents to intentionally walk your best hitter, wouldn't Turner be better served just staying on first base and letting Harper do his thing?

Not really, according to Martinez.

Given the depth of talent in the heart of the Nationals lineup, Martinez isn't worried about Harper getting walked. With Anthony Rendon, Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman potentially batting 4-5-6, the Nats don't expect to be stranding Turner on the bases too much.

"Absolutely, and that's the point," Martinez said. "Do I want Bryce to swing the bat? Of course. Will he get frustrated? No. We've had that conversation, too, that he'd rather (Turner) be on second base to drive in a run. A base hit drives in a run. So they're all good. They all understand."

Turner will be one of a few Nationals who have the green light to steal bases, joined by Michael A. Taylor, Brian Goodwin and Eaton (if his surgically repaired knee feels well). But even those who aren't among the speediest players on the roster will be encouraged to try to take extra bases when given an opportunity. It's a major point of emphasis for Martinez.

"My biggest model for them as baserunners is: How can we get to third base with less than two outs?" the manager said. "Yesterday, you watch (Wilmer) Difo go first to third on a ball that he probably shouldn't have. But that's the way I want them to play the game. Especially down here. I told them: 'I'll never criticize you going first to third in spring training, ever. Because I want to see how many times you can make it.'"

The same applies to runners who have an opportunity to round third. Bob Henley is the only member of Dusty Baker's 2017 coaching staff who was retained to be on Martinez's staff, and though the third base coach has been criticized at times for his aggressive approach, the new manager doesn't want "Sendley" to change his ways at all.

"Coming in this past winter, Bobby, decision-making at third base has been really good," Martinez said. "I know that, so I want him to be aggressive. And you know what, I told the baserunners, we had this conversation: He's just there to really stop you. You got to go. He's only there to stop you."