Ryan Sullivan: What will Nationals lineup look like in 2019?

Earlier this week, the Nationals traded Matt Adams to the Cardinals and Daniel Murphy to the Cubs, the first legitimate signs Washington had essentially conceded its playoff chances this season. These two deals netted an intriguing prospect in Andruw Monasterio, while hopefully trimming payroll below the luxury tax figure, both positives for the future. Also, it will give players like Wilmer Difo significant playing time in September to earn spots for next season.

But this left me speculating what the Nationals lineup might look like in 2019. This offseason will see more turnover than a pickup basketball game at the YMCA due to the pending free agency of Bryce Harper and others, plus any shakeout from the disappointing 2018. Personally, I feel rather confident that Harper returns to Washington, but for the sake of this piece, let's say he bolts like LeBron to Los Angeles.

The infield would return Ryan Zimmerman at first base, Trea Turner at shortstop and Anthony Rendon at third. The outfield would have Adam Eaton in right field, Juan Soto in left, plus Michael A. Taylor and top prospect Victor Robles sharing center field. There is a chance Howie Kendrick returns from his devastating May injury and resumes his role as the versatile veteran off the bench. That's not a bad start.

However, that leaves the lineup with glaring holes at catcher and at second base for the now-departed Murphy. But with nearly $50 million in payroll departing just in Harper, Gio Gonzalez, Matt Wieters and Ryan Madson, the Nationals will have plenty of money to sign players this winter.

At catcher, the Nats could again revisit trade discussions with the Marlins for J.T. Realmuto, or look to free agent options like Yasmani Grandal or Wilson Ramos. The team has several interesting backstops such as Pedro Severino, Raudy Read and Spencer Kieboom, but all look more like backup players. Washington has desperately lacked a strong starting catcher since Ramos' injury two years ago and must address this organizational weakness this winter.

Thankfully second base has several intriguing choices in free agency, including re-signing Murphy or players like Brian Dozier, Ian Kinsler, DJ Lemahieu or Jed Lowrie. Also, prospect Carter Kieboom is not far away and could slug his way to the majors early next season, also making him a potential option at the keystone later in 2019.

Certainly this has been a disappointing season in NatsTown and the competition to win the National League East will be more difficult next year as the young talent in Atlanta and Philadelphia continues to emerge. Yet, even if Washington loses one of the most feared hitters in baseball in Harper, the team will still have one of the stronger lineups in baseball next season. The front office will have to be quite astute with their acquisitions, but with two shrewd pickups, Washington is again poised to have a tough lineup in 2019.

Hypothetical 2019 lineup

RF Adam Eaton
SS Trea Turner
LF Juan Soto
3B Anthony Rendon
2B Daniel Murphy or Brian Dozier
1B Ryan Zimmerman
CF Victor Robles or Michael A. Taylor
C Yasmani Grandal or Wilson Ramos

Ryan Sullivan blogs about the Nationals at The Nats GM and runs The Nats GM Show podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TheNatsGM. His views appear here as part of MASNsports.com's season-long initiative of welcoming guest bloggers to our pages. All opinions expressed are those of the guest bloggers, who are not employed by MASNsports.com but are just as passionate about their baseball as our roster of writers.