There was a lot of talk toward the end of the season that the Nationals weren’t likely to re-sign Adam Dunn and that he would be replaced by free agent Carlos Pena (and his .196 batting average). Now with both players in the Windy City (Dunn with the White Sox and Pena with the Cubs), the Nats actually have better — and likely cheaper — options available:
Adam LaRoche
The 31-year-old has long been thought of as the alternative in the Pena sweepstakes. However, there are mixed reports out of the Winter Meetings. He has bounced around in his seven major league seasons, playing for four teams, and has spent two stints with the Braves and played for Arizona in 2010. His 162-game averages aren’t bad: .271, 26 HR, 93 RBI, .339 OBP and .995 fielding percentage.
X-factor: He’s sought after by several teams.
Derrek Lee
He has been mentioned in passing but there haven’t been many specific comments about the 35-year-old. However, he might be the best available option. He’s coming off a down year (.260/19/80) after splitting time between the Cubs and Braves. He still sported a .347 OBP, which was much higher than LaRoche (.320) and Pena (.325). The 6-foot-5 Lee was nicknamed “Rodan” (large flying dinosaur of Godzilla fame) by then-Cubs manager Dusty Baker for his large wingspan.
X-factor: Hardware. Three Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger are accented by his 2003 World Series ring.
Prince Fielder
Is this a stretch? Absolutely. This might be the only place you’ll see the Nationals and Fielder mentioned in the same sentence. However, the Nats’ active roster has seven Scott Boras clients on it, so what’s one more? The Brewers slugger is currently in limbo in Milwaukee as the team is entertaining offers for the All Star, who can walk following the 2011 season if he doesn’t get a contract extension.
X-factor: He wears No. 28. So does Jayson Werth. Like Werth, he has a major league bloodline. Stranger things have already happened this offseason.
