Castro figures into the Nationals’ short-term plans at second base, where he started 115 games last season. Rendon, who signed a seven-year, $245 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels, leaves gaping holes in the infield and in the middle of the order. That felt even more likely after they brought Howie Kendrick back on a one-year deal because Kendrick and Kieboom could have split time while Kieboom got settled. If Donaldson signs elsewhere — and the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers are pursuing him — the configuration could be Kieboom at second and Castro at third. A deal for Donaldson would get them very close to the competitive balance tax, if not push them over.

Source: Washington Post January 03, 2020 23:35 UTC