Rizzo: Big bat is No. 1 priority, owners willing to pay for it

The Nationals have a clear No. 1 priority this winter: Acquire a big bat to complement Trea Turner and Juan Soto in the heart of their lineup. And Mike Rizzo says ownership has assured him he'll have the resources to acquire that kind of big-ticket item.

"It's no secret we're a pitching-oriented team," the Nats general manager said during a Zoom session with reporters today, his first since late September. "We've got three great strong starting pitchers coming back. We've got a bullpen that we feel is built with a lot of depth and versatility. ... We felt that our best bet would be to surround the guys we have in the middle of the lineup already with some more bats and make offensive production a little more of a priority this offseason."

After watching his club struggle to maximize the MVP-caliber offensive performances it got from Turner and Soto during the shortened 2020 season, Rizzo determined the addition of another significant hitter is necessary for 2021. Moreso than the addition of a No. 4 starter for their rotation or a left-hander for their bullpen.

Though the most obvious spot on the field to use for such a big bopper is a corner outfield position, Rizzo said the Nationals have the flexibility to approach it in other ways. He specifically mentioned first base as a logical spot, though downplayed the possibility of using third base or catcher to fill that need.

The Nats know they'll have Soto at one of the two corner outfield positions and are perfectly comfortable moving him full-time to right field if needed. They don't know who they'll have at first base yet, but both Rizzo and manager Davey Martinez (who also held a Zoom call with reporters this afternoon) mentioned interest in re-signing franchise stalwart Ryan Zimmerman for a part-time role.

Though All-Star J.T. Realmuto is among the biggest names available in the free agent market, Rizzo suggested the club is likely to proceed with Yan Gomes catching 90-100 games next season, supplemented by another part-timer behind the plate.

And though neither Rizzo nor Martinez definitively said Carter Kieboom will return as the starting third baseman, Martinez talked up the 23-year-old today while Rizzo shot down persistent rumors about a certain Cubs slugger reportedly on the trade market one year before he becomes a free agent.

"We haven't had a serious conversation about Kris Bryant in probably two years," the GM said. "He was not a big guy on our radar last year or this year. He's a great player, but at this point in time, where we're at and with what we have in our farm system and where we're going, we think we can allocate our dollars and prospect capital in a better way."

There are no shortage of big-name corner outfielders available: George Springer, Marcell Ozuna, Michael Brantley and Joc Pederson all entered the offseason as free agents and remain unsigned. They were recently joined by non-tendered veterans Kyle Schwarber, Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario. Potential first basemen include Mitch Moreland, C.J. Cron and DJ LeMahieu, a natural second baseman who has also played third and first.

"I think we're versatile in that it doesn't have to be strictly a right fielder or strictly a left fielder," Rizzo said. "But a corner outfielder that complements the lineup, or a first baseman, would be the smoothest transition, because those are positions of need. With that said, you can get creative and get a bat in all sorts of ways. And with a little maneuvering, we'd feel comfortable doing it in all sorts of different creative ways."

What about designated hitter? Rizzo said he's proceeding as though he won't need one in 2021. For now, the National League is reverting back to its longtime standard of making pitchers bat for themselves, though it's entirely possible Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association will negotiate at some point the re-addition of the DH after trying it out this year. If that happens, Rizzo said the Nats will adjust.

Proven big bats cost big bucks, regardless of position. The Nationals know that all too well after watching Bryce Harper sign with the Phillies for $330 million two winters ago and Anthony Rendon sign with the Angels for $245 million one winter ago.

None of the current free agent sluggers will command a price tag that high, but the best of them will require a nine-figure investment.

While acknowledging the "fluid" nature of preparations for the 2021 season, with clubs unsure at this point how much revenue they'll bring in, Rizzo insisted he's got the green light from the Lerner family to make whatever transactions he deems necessary to improve the Nationals roster.

"Ownership has given me marching orders to put a championship-caliber club on the field," he said. "That's my purpose. That's my focus. And that's our objective this offseason."