Today we continue our series where we will examine some potential free agent targets for the Nationals this offseason. Our third profile takes a look at an infielder in the midst of an All-Star-caliber season.

Player: Marcus Semien

Age: 30

2021 Stats: .267/.334/.527, 141 H, 34 2B, 33 HR, 78 RBI, 130 wRC+, .364 wOBA, 5.5 WAR

2021 Outlook: To this point of the season, Marcus Semien is looking like the steal of the offseason. The Toronto Blue Jays took a chance on Semien after a down year in 2020, and it’s paying off big time. The infielder is having a fantastic 2021 campaign, already tying his career-high mark of 33 home runs. Semien was selected to his first-ever All-Star team back in July and is on pace to set career-highs in home runs, slugging percentage, and wRC+.

Semien’s overall production has been a huge part of the Blue Jays’ success as a team. In games that Semien hits a home run, Toronto is 37-27. The infielder has clearly shown that 2019 was no fluke, and he’s proving to be one of the better offensive infielders in all of baseball.

Marcus Semien with HR No. 30! pic.twitter.com/dPabr9cM5g

— MLB (@MLB) August 21, 2021

Free Agent Outlook: Semien has most certainly secured himself a long-term deal this offseason. Even with many top-tier infielders, like Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, and Trevor Story in his FA class, Semien will be one of the best bats on the open market. Spotrac has Semien’s market value at just under $19M a year, which seems a bit low to me. With how well he has preformed this season, and his flexibility to play anywhere in the infield, I think a team easily could give him a contract with an AVA closer to $22-25M.

Nationals Fit: Of all players in the 2022 free agent class, you could make a solid argument Semien is one of, if not the, best fit for the Nationals. Semien would be a huge offensive upgrade for Washington and would be the power bat they desperately need to hit in front of or behind Juan Soto. He also has shown the ability to play multiple positions in the infield, so Washington could use him at second base, shortstop, or even third base. He’ll certainly get a good chunk of money, but if the Nationals want to field a decently competitive team in 2022, Semien would be a perfect fit.

Final Verdict: From a Nationals standpoint, the decision to be in or not on Semien will likely come down to how quickly Mike Rizzo and company believe they can retool this roster. If the Nationals’ front office wants to make one big signing to help push them back closer to contention, like they did with Jayson Werth in 2010, Semien would be a perfect fit. Ultimately I think Semien’s one of the top five or so guys that will be at the top of the Nationals’ wish list this offseason.

Contract Prediction: Washington gets their big bat of of the offseason, locking Semien up on a five-year deal.