The Washington Nationals commenced their season on March 27th against their division rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies. Fans are brimming with excitement, as they anticipate a more promising season compared to the previous one. Although the Nationals finished with a 71-91 record in the 2024 season, matching their performance in the 2023 season, the team is now ready to showcase the young players that fans have eagerly awaited. The rebuilding process that commenced at the 2021 trade deadline appears to be nearing its conclusion.
The trade that reshaped the franchise’s landscape was the deal that sent superstar slugger Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres in 2022. That summer, Soto had rejected a 15-year, $440 million extension offer from the Nationals and possessed some of the highest trade value in baseball history. General Manager Mike Rizzo traded him at the trade deadline for a prospect haul that included many of the team’s current stars. Washington notably acquired Opening Day starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, 2024 all-star shortstop CJ Abrams, and outfielder James Wood, who was called up in July and ranked the top prospect in baseball entering last season. While waiting for the draft, the Nationals finished the 2022 season with a dismal 55-107 record, the worst in Major League Baseball. However, they were rewarded with the second overall draft pick in the 2023 draft and selected outfielder Dylan Crews, who had just won the Golden Spikes Award and helped LSU achieve a National Championship. Crews, Wood, and Abrams are the players that Rizzo is constructing his lineup around.
Despite ongoing criticism for their financial mismanagement, the Nationals made some moves to improve their lineup. In December, they acquired first baseman Nate Lowe from the Texas Rangers, an upgrade at the position. Last season, Lowe had a remarkable performance, slashing .265/.361/.401 with 16 home runs and 69 RBIs in 140 games. Josh Bell, who had spent time in various teams since being traded from the Nationals, returned to the Nationals on a one-year deal. Bell’s 2024 season was split between the Marlins and Diamondbacks, and he aims to replicate his impressive form from his time in Washington. In 2021, his only full season with the Nats, he hit 27 home runs and drove in 88 runs, showcasing his exceptional hitting skills with an impressive .261/.347/.476 slash line. Luis Garcia Jr., a former Nationals top prospect who faced criticism after disappointing stints with the team from 2021 to 2023, made a significant improvement in 2024. He slashed .282/.318/.444, hitting a career-high 18 home runs and driving in a career-high 70 RBIs. If these three players can alleviate pressure from starting pitchers Crews and Wood, both in their first full seasons, it will be a positive development. However, a significant amount of pressure will rightfully be on Abrams, the all-star shortstop who joined the Nationals lineup. Abrams has the potential to make a substantial improvement from 2024, where the team posted its second-lowest team batting average and lowest team OPS since 2005.
The Nationals’ pitching rotation will be led by Gore and right-hander Jake Irvin, both in their third season with the team. Gore had a mixed 2024, with a strong first half, challenging months in July and August, and an impressive 1.26 ERA in September. During an interview this spring, Gore emphasized the importance of maintaining both mechanical and emotional consistency. Irvin had a surprising first half in 2024 but ended the season with a 10-14 record and a 4.41 ERA. Mitchell Parker, a 2024 rookie, posted a respectable 4.29 ERA last year with a 7-10 record, numbers that improved before a late-season slump. Trevor Williams, who re-signed this offseason to a two-year deal, had a 2.03 ERA through 14 starts last year before spending most of his time on the injured list after May. The final rotation spot will go to Mike Soroka, who had a 2.68 ERA in his rookie season in 2019 but has been plagued by injuries since. Washington signed him this winter with the hope that he can stay healthy and regain his form.
The Nationals bullpen aims to improve this year, once again relying on closer Kyle Finnegan. After being non-tendered early in the offseason, Finnegan re-signed on a one-year deal. He will be supported by Jose A. Ferrer, a young lefty who didn’t allow a run in spring training. Jorge Lopez (2.89 ERA in 2024), Eduardo Salazar (2.38 ERA in spring), and Orlando Ribalta (1.88 ERA in spring) will also be part of the bullpen. While the Nationals bullpen shows promise, it could be a significant concern, especially early in the season.
There are compelling reasons on both sides of the argument for Nationals fans to be optimistic. The National League East is a formidable division, with the Phillies, Mets, and Braves all securing a spot in the 2024 playoffs. However, fans remain hopeful that the Nationals can at least make a competitive bid for a Wild Card spot this season. After enduring five seasons of losing baseball, there is a glimmer of hope that this year might be different.
