The Nationals secured 1B Nick Johnson for at least the next 4 years, signing him to a 3-year $16.5M contract extension. For the Nationals, this adds stability to the roster knowing that 1B is covered through 2009 instead of Johnson entering the free agent market at the end of 2006.
How does this impact the 1B propsects in the Nats farm?
This means that proposed 1B of the future, Larry Broadway, is now blocked in his opportunity to assume the starting 1B role in 2007. The Nats should move Broadway if a deal comes along that returns depth to the major league rotation, likely a #3 or 4 SP. If a deal like that does not come along, Broadway still has value as a bench player … especially if he can learn to play a corner OF position. If he can prove that he can play the OF, likely LF, Broadway can become a valuable contributor off of the bench for the Nats in 2007 and out. Think Brian Daubach with power, a complementary piece that successful teams always seem to have, and at only the major league minimum for three years. He remains the Nationals’ biggest power threat in the minors, so it should be a significant arm to consider moving him. Broadway is entering his second option year so the Nationals can retain control over Broadway through 2007 and it is in their best interest to do so.
The other 1B depth in the higher level of the Nats farm is Josh Whitesell. Whitesell is two years younger, 1 inch shorter, and 10 pounds lighter, but his path through the minors is following a pretty close to that of Broadway. In each of his first three years in the minors, Whitesell has improved his AVG, SLG, OPS, and number of walks. A downside is that his strikeout total has also increased over that same trimeframe. Whitesell projects in much the same way as Broadway, a platoon 1B or LH power off of the bench. Whitesell was available in this past season’s Rule 5 draft and went unselected. If he continues his growth pattern in 2006, likely in Harrisburg, he will need to be protected to avoid being lost next offseason.
Signing Johnson long term was a solid decision by Jim Bowden and the Washington Nationals. Ensuring that 1B depth remains in the farm remains a challenge for the organization.
UPDATE: Nats beatwriter, Bill Ladson, profiled Broadway late last night for MLB.com. Broadway was quoted as saying, “Injuries could happen anytime, I may get traded, Nick may get traded. The game is so unpredictable. … I think I’m going to have a strong year. By the end of the year, I’ll force management to make a decision whether they want me in the big leagues or [if they] think I’m valuable enough to trade.”
Bowden emphasized that he wanted Broadway to get regular playing time. Perhaps a game or two a week in LF would be best for all parties concerned.
