3 Missing Pieces the Washington Nationals Could Still Land This Winter

The Washington Nationals have been maddeningly patient this winter, but the team still has a few months to let its fans stew and a short list of pieces that could fill its only visible hole: second base.

Nationals rumors this offseason have been largely dominated by who might be leaving the team. Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister and Ian Desmond are no closer to learning their fate. 

With this list comes a welcome break from that discussion and a look into who could potentially join the team before it's all said and done.

Washington has seven solid, everyday position players and a starting rotation that could lose a member and still terrify a batting order. In fact, it's very possible the Nationals trade Zimmermann to acquire the services of a new second baseman if his contract isn't extended.

In the Nationals' three-month search for a middle infielder, new names, like Ben Zobrist, have popped up, while some, like Mookie Betts, have been a constant.

Washington has the option to save its money and trade fodder by choosing not to bring in a new second baseman. In-house product Danny Espinosa would sure like to think so. 

But winter is meant for, among other things, hot stove speculation. And the following three players are the most likely to tempt the Nationals this offseason.

Ben Zobrist

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Ben Zobrist could be the odd man out in Tampa Bay after the Rays signed free-agent second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera.

Ben Zobrist of the Tampa Bay Rays is new to the party when it comes to Washington trade rumors. 

Tampa Bay signed free-agent second baseman and former National Asdrubal Cabrera in late December, and the Rays are now Chicago Cubs-like in their crowded infield. 

Zobrist is a true utility man, and the Rays could choose to simply send him to the outfield. But reporters like The Washington Post's James Wagner and Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal say the 33-year-old could be available. 

"

Rival GM says #Rays’ Zobrist will draw trade interest from more teams than Price due to difference in $$$. Versatility appealing, esp in NL…

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 12, 2014 "

Zobrist has spent his entire nine-year major-league career with Tampa Bay, and he's been a productive hitter for a while now. He's only hit less than .250 once since 2008, and he had the second-best batting average on his team last season. 

Washington would likely have to give up one of its top pitching prospects, Lucas Giolito or A.J. Cole, to pry Zobrist away from the Rays. Giolito is the Nats' No. 1 prospect and Cole is No. 6, according to Baseball America, but Washington could certainly keep all of its current starters in a trade for Zobrist.

Stephen Drew

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Stephen Drew is one of the last remaining free-agent options for the Nationals at second base.

Mike Rizzo is a tough nut to crack, so it's difficult to tell if the general manager is content with Washington's current stash of second basemen or if he's dead set on signing a new one this winter. 

If the latter is the case, Stephen Drew becomes an option. 

He was joined by Asdrubal Cabrera and Jed Lowrie as the top bargain free agents at second base this offseason, but Drew is the only one left unsigned. Lowrie is once again a Houston Astro and, as discussed before, Cabrera landed in Tampa Bay.

At 31 years old, Drew is an alternative to Zobrist if the Nationals decide they can't part ways with either of their top pitching prospects. But Drew's bat is far less potent than Zobrist's. 

With the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees in 2014, Drew hit .162 in 85 games played.

Washington could see Drew's career average of .256 and decide to overlook his down year last season, but a deal that brings him to D.C. would only take place if the Nats feel they have no other option than to sign a new second baseman.

Mookie Betts

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If Washington decides to deal Jordan Zimmermann, Boston's Mookie Betts could be a target for the Nats.

Ever since the Red Sox failed to sign free-agent ace Jon Lester, Zimmermann has been in the back of their minds.

Now Boston's push for the Nationals' righty could gather force, with Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reporting the Red Sox are likely out of contention for free agent James Shields.  

Boston is a demanding fanbase, and a trade that brings in the pitcher with MLB's most recent no-hitter could be enough to almost satisfy the Red Sox faithful. And Boston's Mookie Betts is the most practical piece Washington could ask for in return. 

A trade for Betts is a down payment on Washington's future beyond 2015. The 22-year-old has shown loads of potential in his 52 big-league games. 

The youngster hit .291 in 2014, but he logged the bulk of his hours in the outfield. Betts received 55 at-bats as a second baseman and a combined 134 at center and right field. 

One positive addition to the Mookie Betts pros and cons list is his proficiency against lefties. He's amassed a .328 career batting average against left-handed pitchers.

Any trade between the Red Sox and the Nationals hinges on Washington's inability to sign Zimmermann to a long-term extension. So, as the story goes in D.C. this offseason, every day without an extension for Zimmermann is a day closer to a trade.

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