No, this isn't going to be a "Lerners are cheap" article. It's more of an article calling on the Washington Nationals to start acting like a team that should be taken seriously in not only developing younger players but making a splash in the free agency market or even a big trade.

The Washington Nationals need to go out and get a big name that will provide seats in the stands and become an MLB Powerhouse.

Before I get to that, let's look at some of the past big "free agent" signings that the Nationals have done.

• Patrick Corbin - 2018
• Max Scherzer - 2015
• Jayson Werth - 2011

Let's look at the last blockbuster trade the Washington Nationals made was in 2017 when the Nationals traded Blake Treinen and prospect Sheldon Neuse and Jesus Luzardo to the Oakland Athletics for Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson. Yeah, some minor trades had an impact, but blockbuster trades have been few and far between.

Yes, it's cool winning a World Series, don't get me wrong, and yes, it was only a short three years ago; however, over the past three years, we have seen stars leave the Nationals and go somewhere else. However, we haven't seen any stars come here, and that's a problem. It seems that every player who does come to D.C. and play with a Curly W on his chest loves it here, so why haven't we seen more stars come and play in D.C.? I am not saying that the Lerners are cheap heck, they shelled out a lot of money for Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin, but that's it.  It's not enough for a team to rely on developing players, especially if they end up leaving the team after their contract is up.

I might mock the New York Mets for their epic collapses during the season, but you have to give them some kudos in at least trying to swing big. Fine, you don't want to look at the Mets, okay, look at the Phillies and Braves(this year.) The Atlanta Braves, only a YEAR out of winning the World Series, apparently let their "face of the team" walk, made a big trade to get their new 1st baseman, and then extended him for eight seasons a day later! Before that, they signed Marcell Ozuna to a major contract. Even though Ronald Acuna Jr. came to the team via the International market, they still extended him before getting close to Free Agency. Atlanta isn't considered a big market team; however, sometimes they act like one. The Phillies signed Bryce Harper to a mega-deal, and just signed Kyle Schwarber to a 4-year agreement with an AAV just under $200M. Tell me why the Nationals couldn't make this type of deal? Seriously?? Anyone??

Let's look across the country and look at San Diego Padres. Last year, yes, the Padres went out and signed Fernando Tatis Jr. to a mammoth 14-year, $340 million contract extension. They went out and signed free agent Manny Machado agreed to a $300 million deal with the team back in 2019. The Padres aren't considered a big market team. However, they act like one.

If the Washington Nationals want to win another World Series soon, the team needs to make an impact signing before a certain player hits free agency. If the Washington Nationals want to become a big market team like other teams in the NL East or even in the league, they need to make an impact signing to show the rest of the league that they want to be an MLB powerhouse team. The clock is ticking, and it's time to put on some big boy pants and get working. We are waiting