Success of Nats' winter still depends on rivals' remaining moves

Have the Nationals had a good offseason? It's easy to look at the eight major leaguers they've acquired since the 2018 season ended and declare they've enjoyed a successful winter.

Patrick Corbin and Aníbal Sánchez filled obvious needs. Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki provide a clear upgrade at catcher. Brian Dozier is a solid pickup at second base. Trevor Rosenthal and Kyle Barraclough have the potential to reshape an ever-changing bullpen. Matt Adams was an important re-sign.

The Nationals identified their needs and took significant steps to address them. What's not to like?

Here's the problem, though: It's still hard to truly evaluate where this team stands until we know where the rest of baseball - and specifically the rest of the National League East - stands. And given how many prominent free agents are still out there with less than a month to go until spring training, there's still so much that could change.

As we wake up on the morning of Jan. 16, here are just a few of the big-name players who don't yet have employers: Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, A.J. Pollock, Craig Kimbrel, Dallas Keuchel, Marwin Gonzalez, Mike Moustakas, Adam Ottavino.

That's some serious talent, and the kind of talent that could completely change the complexion of several ballclubs' rosters.

What if the Phillies do end up signing Harper or Machado (or, gasp, both)? What if the Braves swooped in and brought Kimbrel back to the organization where he first made a name for himself? What if the Mets make another big move to complement an already aggressive winter by new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen?

Would any of that change the way we view the Nationals' offseason? It probably would. It would be harder to suggest the Nats did enough to make up their deficit in the NL East if the Braves add even further to their 90-win roster from 2018. It would be tougher to brush aside the Phillies as not ready for prime time if they land one of the big prizes of the winter.

Which isn't to suggest the Nationals have done anything wrong. They've done what they've needed to do, and still put themselves in a position where they could end up with Harper manning right field for the next decade after all.

But as much as general manager Mike Rizzo loves to insist he doesn't let other teams' moves impact his own decisions, it's impossible to gloss over what the rest of the NL East might still do before pitchers and catchers report.

If the Braves, Phillies and Mets basically stand pat between now and then, the Nats will have had the best offseason in the division.

But if one or more of those still unemployed free agents winds up in Atlanta, Philadelphia or New York, it's going to be a lot tougher to declare the Nationals as offseason champs.