The organization had its reasons for staying low-key this season, balancing both strategic and financial decisions. But that won't shield them from the rising threats in the competitive National League East.
The Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just under two weeks. When they step onto the field, they'll start preparing for a season where their highest-paid player, new first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, will make about the same as a reliever like A.J. Minter — the 11th-highest-paid New York Met — or Max Kepler, the ninth-highest-paid Philadelphia Phillie. Lowe will even make slightly more than Joe Jiménez, a reliever who’s the ninth-highest-paid Atlanta Brave.
Is this how a team is supposed to compete in the National League East?
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