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Detroit Tigers Rank Highly in MCB’s First Power Rankings of 2017

By Ben Rosener

Mar 16, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) reacts after hitting a home run with starting pitcher Daniel Norris (right) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) reacts after hitting a home run with starting pitcher Daniel Norris (right) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Adam Eaton (2) connects for an RBI single during a spring training game against the New York Yankees at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Adam Eaton (2) connects for an RBI single during a spring training game against the New York Yankees at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

#5 Washington Nationals
2016 Run Differential: +151
Best Offseason Move: Acquiring Adam Eaton
Worst Offseason Move: Acquiring Adam Eaton

Remember all those times Adam Eaton did damage at the plate against the Detroit Tigers?

Yes, Adam Eaton, the outfielder with a .325 batting average and a .401 on-base percentage in his career versus Detroit is now out of the division.

Chicago deal the outfielder as part of the team’s rebuilding phase, and Eaton landed in Washington with the Nationals.

Eaton is no doubt an excellent player on offense and defense. What’s more, he’s young and controllable.

However, the Nationals had to give up two of the best pitching prospects in baseball in Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez.

This is all without mentioning the other player who went to Chicago in the deal, Dane Dunning. The Nats took the starting pitcher with the 29th-overall pick in the 2016 draft.

Washington would also be higher on this list if the team had a solution at the back end of the bullpen.

The club did well to bring in Mark Melancon at the trade deadline, as the former Pirate notched a 1.82 ERA and 17 saves in 29.2 frames of work down the stretch.

However, Melancon signed with San Francisco in the offseason and the club and the Nationals have yet to find a replacement.

If Washington can find a lock-down closer, the team could move higher up this list.

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