DrB's 2016 NL Power Rankings: #6 Nationals

#6  Washington Nationals

Starting Position Players:  C Wilson Ramos, 1B Ryan Zimmerman, 2B Daniel Murphy, 3B Anthony Rendon, SS Danny Espinosa, LF  Jayson Werth, CF  Ben Revere, RF Bryce Harper.

Starting Rotation:  Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Joe Ross, Tanner Roark.

Bullpen:  Jonathan Papelbon, Aaron Barrett, Shawn Kelley, Yusmeiro Petit, Blake Treinen, AJ Cole, Oliver Perez.

Bench:  C Jose Lobatan, IF/OF Tyler Moore, IF  Stephen Drew, OF  Clint Robinson, OF  Michael Taylor.

Jordan Zimmermann is a big loss for this team, but they are hardly bereft of talent.  If you look at Strasburg's second half split from last year, it is not unreasonable to think the Nationals have the best 1,2 starter combo in MLB.  Combine that with Bryce Harper and that's a heckuva core to fill out a team around.  The back end of the rotation is iffy.  Blake Treinen and AJ Cole will challenge for rotation slots.  Uber prospect, Lucas Giolito, should be up by midseason.  The bullpen was weakened by the losses of Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard.  You have to laugh at the Nationals picking up Petit.  I bet 2014 was replaying in their minds when they did that deal!  I like the pickups of Revere and Murphy.  I don't expect Jayson Werth to have much left in the tank, but Michael Taylor is a comer.  Trea Turner should be the SS by midseason.  Ultimately, though, the season may come down to Rendon staying healthy, which is always dicey.  Like the Pirates, I think the Nationals will win more than 81 games, but will miss the postseason.