2024-25 MLB Offseason Recap: Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals haven’t made the playoffs since the 2019 season, as the team’s largely been in a rebuild since the 2020 campaign. However, that rebuild began to bring fruits in 2024, as James Wood and Dylan Crews made their MLB debut. The Nats continued to move forward in the 2024-25 offseason, as Washington picked up a bonafide first baseman to support their lineup.

Notable Additions

• 1B Josh Bell (-0.6 bWAR in 2024)
• INF Paul DeJong (0.9 bWAR)
• 1B Nathaniel Lowe (2.7 bWAR)
• INF/OF Amed Rosario (-0.1 bWAR)
• SP Michael Soroka (0.7 bWAR)

Washington had a notable hole at first base heading into the winter. The Nationals struck gold with Joey Meneses in 2022 when the career Minor Leaguer hit .324 with 13 home runs in 56 contests. However, Meneses couldn’t sustain that success and the Nationals experimented in 2024 at the first base position with Joey Gallo and Andres Chaparro.

The Nationals have considerable more depth at the position. Josh Bell is back with the Nats, while Nathaniel Lowe comes over via trade. Lowe isn’t a prototypical first baseman, as he doesn’t have plus pop. However, as I noted in December, he’s very smooth with his swing, can drive the ball to all fields, and gets on base.

As for the rotation, the Nationals added depth with Michael Soroka. The ex-Brave found success last season as a reliever, seeing an increase in velocity after struggling as a starter with the White Sox.

The 27-year-old didn’t have great success in Grapefruit League action, as he posted an ERA north of 7.00. However, the 27-year-old was a former All-Star pitcher with the Braves.

With numerous injuries to the rotation, including Josiah Gray and DJ Herz, Soroka will be important.

Notable Losses

• SP Patrick Corbin (-0.9 bWAR)
• RP Robert Garcia (-0.2 bWAR)

The Nationals evaded losing Trevor Williams and Kyle Finnegan, the latter of whom was non-tendered in November.

Both were central figures for the Nationals last season, as Williams posted a 2.03 ERA in an injury-shortened season, buoyed by a good sweeper that became a key piece to his arsenal. Finnegan, meanwhile, was an All-Star last season.

Washington didn’t re-sign Patrick Corbin, who landed with the Rangers late in the spring. Corbin’s run with the Nationals will ultimately be defined by his incredible 2019 season, making the six-year, $140MM deal he signed in 2018 worth it. However, the last five seasons of that deal were not great whatsoever.

Garcia, meanwhile, was shipped off to Texas for Nathaniel Lowe.

What to Expect in 2025

The Nationals will have trouble in the NL East, simply because A) Washington is still in a rebuild and B) that division is deep. The Braves, Mets, and Phillies all have playoff & World Series aspirations in 2025.

The key for the Nationals will be moving forward in 2025. James Wood was sharp last season, while Dylan Crews is entering his first full MLB season. And with exciting prospects like Brady House and pitching prospects like Travis Sykora and Alex Clemmey a few years away, the Nats’ window will be open soon.