*Photo from MSN.com*
I guess the Washington Nationals are better without Bryce Harper. A year after their best player in franchise history left to join the Philadelphia Phillies, the Nats not only won their first playoff series in franchise history by topping the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers, but they won the NL pennant by sweeping aside the St.Louis Cardinals. Here are some reasons that Washington has been able to not only survive, but thrive without Harper.
Starting pitching
In the offseason, after Harper left, Washington had some money to spend. They did spend indeed, giving top lefty Patrick Corbin $145 million to play 6 years with them. This added to the Nationals top pitching staff Corbin, along with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. The trio performed as advertised this season, with great seasons out of all 3 of them. In the playoffs, Corbin faltered, but Scherzer and Strasburg were available out of the bullpen. Oh yeah, Anibal Sanchez has had a terrific season too, giving Washington 4 upper echelon starters.
Chemistry, Chemistry, Chemistry
According to advanced statistics, Nationals reserve outfielder Gerardo Parra is useless. What advanced statistics doesn't know is that he really is an invaluable piece of this team. Sure, he's an average player, but he brings so much more to the clubhouse. The Nationals had great chemistry between each other this season, something that they have lacked in other years of playoff seasons. Harper gave Washington plenty of on field production, but in the clubhouse, it didn't go well. Harper was the center of many conflicts in his Washington tenure, most notably his fight with then-teammate Jonathan Papelbon in 2015. This team is friends with each other, they trust each other, and that is a reason they've made it as far as they have.
Young guns
Barely adults Juan Soto and Victor Robles is who I'll be talking about here. Robles seemed to be in over his head at the start of the season, but has rebounded quite nicely, like the rest of the team. He is now one of the better center fielders in the game. This has helped with the outfield, as Adam Eaton almost seamlessly slid over to right field to fill the void left by Harper's departure. Robles has had many defensive highlights, but his offensive power has lacked. Still, he posted 17 homers at the bottom of the batting order. Soto took baseball by storm as a 19 year old rookie last season, and he didn't have a Sophomore slump this year. Soto has great discipline when at bat, drawing over 100 walks, and he also emerged as quite the slugger in the middle of the order. Soto also upgraded his speed, going from 5 stolen bases last year to 12 this season. He also brings defensive upside as well, making him, Robles, and Eaton one of the best defensive outfields in baseball.
Anthony Rendon
Once Harper left, Washington needed a franchise face. Rendon was Washington's most complete player this season, and is an NL MVP candidate. He hit .319 with 34 homers and 126 RBI at the plate, had a gold glove caliber season at 3rd base, averaging two runs saved, and made his first all star game. He has been hitting almost exclusively at Harper's spot in the order, number 3, and has also had a monster postseason, proving his case for a massive, massive payday this winter, as he is a free agent. Washington's top priority this offseason, world series victory or not, is keeping Rendon.
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