Three offseason focal points for the Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals were expected to take a step forward in 2025.

Instead, the Nationals finished the season at 66-96, five games worse than they were in 2024. Those failures led to a complete overhaul of the brain trust, as manager Davey Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo were fired just before the 2025 MLB Draft. 

The Nationals have plenty of young talent on the roster. Outfielder James Wood, shortstop CJ Abrams and pitcher MacKenzie Gore took the next step toward stardom in 2025. Top prospect Jarlin Susana should be a part of the rotation next season. The Nationals may be able to take that next step forward, albeit a year later than expected.

Three areas for the Washington Nationals to focus on during the offseason

1. Figure out the new brain trust

The Nationals are in a state of transition with Rizzo and Martinez having been let go. Whoever takes those jobs will have their work cut out for them; the Nationals have some intriguing young talent, but have significant holes throughout the roster.

Those hirings will also determine the Nationals' direction in the short term. Ownership seemingly ran out of patience and is looking to win. Bringing in an experienced GM and manager would further the belief that the Nationals want to win now.

2. Get disappointing youngsters to take the next step

While Abrams and Wood look like potential stars in the middle of the Nationals lineup, the same cannot be said for other former top prospects. Third baseman Brady House and outfielders Dylan Crews and Robert Hassell III were disappointments as they did not make enough contact. Hassell and House, in particular, struggled with their plate discipline as well, drawing a combined 16 walks while striking out 140 times in 480 plate appearances.

There is plenty of time for that trio of youngsters to develop, as all three will be 24 years old or younger next season. However, if they are going to take that next step forward, Crews, Hassell and House will need to learn patience at the plate. Despite their youth, Crews, Hassell and House need to show that they can be part of the solution in Washington.

3. Do something about the bullpen

Although there is plenty of blame for the Nationals' disappointing season, they were particularly hamstrung by the bullpen. Nationals relievers posted a major league-worst 5.59 ERA. Reliever Brad Lord 1.5) was the only pitcher aside from Gore with more than 1.0 bWAR.

Gore and Susana should be a solid duo atop the rotation. DJ Herz and Josiah Gray, both of whom missed the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, have shown flashes of being solid middle-of-the-rotation arms. However, none of that will matter if the Nationals' bullpen cannot hold a lead.