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The Nationals were a little more competitive than expected into late summer. Theyve improved on last years 107-lo s showing but are likely headed for a fourth straight last-place finish in the NL East. The rebuild continues. Guaranteed Contracts , RHP: $105MM through 2026 ($80MM in deferred payments between 2028-30) , C: $48MM through 2030 (deal includes club options for 31 and 32) , LHP: $35MM through 2024 ($10MM in deferred payments between 2025-26) , RHP: $7MM through 2024 Option Decisions , CF: $3.3MM club option (no buyout); would remain eligible for arbitration if team declines 2024 commitments: $85MM Total future commitments (not including deferrals): $195MM Arbitration-Eligible Players (potential Super Two) (potential Super Two) Non-tender candidates: Robles, Smith, Chavis, Vargas, Arano, Kieboom Free Agents The Nationals may have already made whatll be their most consequential decisions for the upcoming season. With manager Dave Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo in the final years of their respective contracts, the po sibility existed for large-scale organizational changes. Instead, Washington has locked in leadership stability in recent weeks. Martinez signed a two-year extension with a team option for 2026; Rizzo inked a multi-year pact of unreported length not long after. Rizzo has been at the helm for nearly a decade and a half, a tenure exceeded only by Brian Cashman (Yankees) and John Mozeliak (Cardinals) among current baseball operations leaders. Martinez will be headed into his seventh season leading the dugout. Both have had succe s in Washington before their ongoing rebuild highlighted by their 2019 World Series victory offering reason for optimism they can lead the franchise back to succe s. Thats unlikely to happen in 2024, however. The Nationals have made progre s this year, as their win percentage is up from 34.5% to 43.9%. After finishing as the worst team in the majors in 2022, they own the games 24th-best record this season. Yet theres still a wide discrepancy between the quality of the current roster and one thats capable of competing for a playoff spot. Its most evident in the rotation, which is allowing exactly five earned runs per nine with the leagues fourth-lowest strikeout rate. Washington has had rare stability for a rotation performing at that level. Only six pitchers have logged even 30+ innings as starters. On the plus side, their best performers have been a pair of young players who could be key pieces on the next competitive Washington club. (4.00) and (4.42) have the best ERAs of the group. Neither pitcher has developed into a top-of-the-rotation arm. They each still i sue a few too many walks, while Gore has battled the home run ball. Grays production has tailed off in the second half. These i sues aside, both hurlers have performed as big league-capable starters over a full season. Theyve done enough to secure spots in next years rotation, when the club will hope at least one takes a step forward to solidify himself as an above-average starter. Theres not as much optimism for the rest of the group. doesnt mi s bats and looks best suited as a depth option. has never found big league succe s. Veterans and are each under contract through 2024 and have taken their share of innings but without great production. Corbin is on his third straight season with an ERA above 5.00 as he plays on a lofty free agent contract that went awry after one year (albeit one in which he was a key contributor to the World Series win). The signing of Williams to a two-year deal last winter hasnt panned out. remains on the roster after on his planned retirement. Continuing to devote him a 40-man spot when hes unlikely to ever pitch again is a bizarre decision on the organizations part, though its not particularly consequential at this point of the rebuild. Washington could run things back with the same rotation group, Texas Rangers Jersey as everyone is either under contract or club control. Former first-round draftee could break back into the mix midseason after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. The Nats have options to plug innings, which isnt true of every rebuilding team. Still, aside from a step forward from one of Gore or Gray, they couldnt project much better results than they received this season. Itd be a surprise if they didnt bring in at least one starter who could push Irvin back to Triple-A or Williams into the long relief role hes had for the bulk of his career. Its hard to envision the Nats spending at the top of the market. They could offer a rotation spot to a rebound candidate like , or inthe hope that player could serve as a midseason trade chip. If they wanted to secure some stability over multiple years without making a huge financial commitment, they could consider the likes of or . Theyll probably also add an arm or two to the relief corps, as Washington has the lowest bullpen strikeout rate in the league. Its not time to play at the top of the market for or pursue a veteran closer in the mold. There are a number of middle relievers wholl be available on one or two-year deals that could add swing-and-mi s to the group. , and are among the power arms available in free agency. Any free agent pickups would join a relief corps led by , , and quietly effective waiver pickup . The Nats could listen to trade offers on Finnegan or Harvey, though theyre not under pre sure to make a deal with both pitchers eligible for arbitration through 2025. Theres more reason for optimism on the other side of the ball. Washington has the potential for a strong future position player core, most of which was acquired in trades of their last group of stars. and are already playing regular roles on the big league club. Abrams has had a solid season to secure the shortstop job. Ruiz hasnt broken through, but hell get every opportunity behind the plate after last winters $50MM extension that runs through 2030. is a good complementary backstop, so theres no need to add a catcher. Theyll likely look to bring in infield help around Abrams. Theyve closed the season giving regular run to , and around the infield. Smith has hit .254/.324/.361 in 571 plate appearances after signing a $2MM deal last offseason and could be non-tendered. Garca turns 24 next May, and may be young enough to get another shot at second base. It might be his last chance. The left-handed hitter owns a .265/.299/.382 line with nine homers over 466 trips to the plate this season. Hes now a .265/.292/.394 hitter in 1229 PA and 320 MLB games over parts of four seasons. While Garca has plus contact skills, he hasnt shown a discerning plate approach nor much power. The profile is built around a largely empty batting average right now. Thatd be more tenable if Garca were a plus defender, but public metrics have graded him as a below-average second baseman over his career. While Garca has youth and prospect pedigree on his side, theres no argument for giving Vargas the third base job. The journeyman infielder has a .251/.305/.363 slash over a career-high 274 plate appearances. Hes a versatile defender with contact skills but limited offensive upside, much better suited for a utility role. He has held down the hot corner since the Nats traded at the deadline. Theyll need to look outside the organization again this winter. Last years signing of Candelario to a $5MM deal after he was non-tendered by Detroit worked out perfectly. Theyll have a hard time repeating that level of succe s most free agent rebound fliers dont bounce back the way Candelario did but the Nationals will probably take a shot on a similar style of player. Candelario himself has likely played his way into a three-plus year deal thatll take him out of Washingtons price range. Players like or should be available on a one-year pact, or or could be non-tendered or traded for minimal return. A one-year stopgap is probably all thatll be required. Former first-round pick played his way to Do Cody Bradford Jersey |
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发表于 2025-11-30 11:45:28