Washington Nationals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

The Washington Nationals are likely to take the cautious route and give outfielder Stone Garrett (leg) more time to recover from his broken leg, making it unlikely that he'll be ready to go for Opening Day in 2024. Garrett broke his left fibula last year and underwent surgery in August, followed by a minor surgery on his ankle. The 28-year-old should have a pretty good chance to see regular at-bats for the rebuilding Nationals when healthy, but at the very least, he should be in an outfield platoon against left-handed pitching. Garrett has posted a strong .813 OPS in 355 total major-league at-bats, but he's most likely going to be a placeholder in Washington's outfield until prospects James Wood and Dylan Crews arrive, possibly as early as this summer. Garrett is going to need to cut down on his strikeout rate to become a lineup regular in NL-only leagues.

The Washington Nationals and free-agent left-handed slugger Joey Gallo agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal on Tuesday, according to multiple sources familiar with the deal. The contract is pending a physical and includes an additional $1 million in performance bonuses. Gallo hit just .177 (50-for-282) with 142 strikeouts in 111 games with the Minnesota Twins last year, but he also produced 21 home runs and 40 RBI in 332 plate appearances and will give the rebuilding Nats a power bat that they can put in right field, first base or designated hitter. He should play regularly in 2024 as long as he's healthy, giving fantasy managers a power option. However, his struggles to make contact leave him vulnerable to prolonged slumps and potentially being benched. This might be his last real opportunity for regular playing time in the big leagues.

The Tampa Bay Rays have been shopping designated hitter Harold Ramirez, whose OPS+ the last two seasons is 21 percent above league average, according to sources. Ramirez is projected to earn $4.4 million in arbitration next season, according to MLB Trade Rumors, and trading him would create even more at-bats for Jonathan Aranda and 25-year-old Curtis Mead. Aranda should fill the first base/DH role for the Rays against right-handers now that Luke Raley is in Seattle. The 29-year-old Ramirez hit a strong .313/.353/.460 with 12 home runs and five stolen bases in 122 games in 2023 and hits both righties and lefties well. He could be a candidate for an everyday role if he leaves Tampa, but he also doesn't hit the ball in the air enough to be much of a power asset for fantasy managers.