Loss of Eaton Leaves a Mighty Hole to Fill for Nationals
With Adam Eaton out for the rest of the season, the shoes left by Mighty Mouse are going to be hard to fill.
The first inning of the Nationals-Mets game on Sunday started with MASN announcer Bob Carpenter announcing that Adam Turner was stepping into the batters box. After Turner struck out, Adam Werth came to bat and singled. Then Adam Harper stepped in, and then Adam Zimmerman. The Adams roared in the first. Michael Adam Taylor, Adam Eaton’s replacement in center field for the foreseeable future, knocked in a run on an RBI single. Even the pitcher, Adam Ross, got an RBI single.
It was a fitting tribute by the Nationals’ broadcast crew to a player who meant so much to the Washington Nationals. By the somber mood in the Nats clubhouse the last few days, you one would have expected the franchise player to have been lost to a season ending injury.
While it wasn’t the face of the franchise, Adam Eaton will only play 23 regular season games this year. The reaction of fans on Twitter and the reactions of players in the clubhouse shows just how important Eaton has been for this team in just a few months. Since being traded to the Nationals in December of 2016, Eaton appeared in just 23 games, but he slashed .297/.393/.462 with two home runs. But more than the on-field performance (which was impressive unto itself), it was his character off the field that had an impact on both players and fans alike.
He was loved by his teammates for the scrappy way he played the game, from his ability to cut the bases when he went first-to-third to the way he gave every play his all. We saw that determination on Friday, when Eaton busted it down the line on an infield single which ultimately lead to his season ending injury.
A note about that play: After the game, Eaton said “I’m sorry. I overdid it. If it’s Game 7 of the World Series, that’s okay,” and one of his teammates responded “No. That’s how you always play. That’s exactly why we got you.” And he’s exactly right. Most players don’t rush down the line as hard as Eaton there. But because Eaton did, he extended the inning and gave the Nats a chance to win the ballgame. In the end, that’s all a player can do.
“Adam brought swagger and energy here like no one else has done.” — Mike Rizzo
Eaton had a profound impact on this Washington Nationals ball club in a way that few players have done in recent memory. He was a catalyst at the top of the order and a leader both on and off the field. The way he interacted with fans in such a short amount of time left marks on everyone who saw him play ball.
And yet, this isn’t really the end of Eaton — at least we hope. A key reason behind the December trade was that the Nationals would be getting an all around excellent outfielder for five years. And while Eaton will be missed this year as the Nationals hope to make an extended playoff push for the first time in team history, Eaton will be wearing red and white for four more years after this season is over. Eaton will be back next year, and Mighty Mouse will be up to his old tricks once more.
For now though, it becomes an issue of damage control. Michael A. Taylor has impressed in the two games Eaton has missed, and if he continues to play well he could be a key piece for the Nationals this year in Eaton’s stead. They also have internal options in Brian Goodwin and newly promoted Rafael Bautista. While Victor Robles is the center fielder of the future, he is still on the DL in High-A Potomac.
There are also plenty of short-term rentals available as teams fall out of contention. One name that makes a lot of sense is Lorenzo Cain, the Royals center fielder who is a free agent after this season, and could package him with closer Kelvin Herrera. They could also take care of the impending free agency of Jayson Werth after this year and trade for a longer contract or sign free agent Ángel Pagán to a two-year deal. Before making a big move, the Nationals will likely let their internal options play out.
For now, the Nationals are still reeling from the loss of Eaton. As unlikely as it might seem is a Kyle Schwarber-like comeback out of the question for Mighty Mouse? Eaton was clear in his response.
“Be back very soon. Until then, time to get the pom-poms out.”
