Washington Nationals 2025-2026 Offseason Wishlist

Trade MacKenzie Gore

For a team in need of pitching trading your best one feels a bit funky, right? Well, the Nationals are in a tough spot where Gore’s team control (FA after 2027) does not match up with their competitive window. A contract extension is also not exactly the best path for a team that has a future as uncertain as theirs.

Washington’s farm system has begun to improve but still needs a jolt. They aren’t trading any of their bats that could fetch a promising return and Gore’s about the only other name that could bring back an impactful return.

With a new GM in place I’m sure he’s eager to implement change, add more to the system, and move on from a player close to needing a significant payday. The time to strike is now, especially if players like Dylan Cease are getting over $200 million.

Trading Gore now, while you can fetch more due to the extra year of control, is crucial. The potential lockout in 2027 could factor into that decision for buyers, but I tend to think teams would be willing to still pay up.

The Nationals cannot afford to mess this up. There’s simply too much needed on this roster to hope they show enough life for it to make sense to give Gore, who has been streaky, the type of contract he’ll demand. Make the trade, get the prospects, and check off the biggest “to-do” on the list.

Add Multiple Starters

Jake Irvin and Mitchell Parker did not show they could be reliable back end options. Cade Cavalli finally made his way back to the rotation after a couple of years of injuries and Josiah Gray is set to return after injuries of his own. Then you have Trevor Williams and Brad Lord. Meh.

If Gore is traded the rotation has no options that project to be anything more than number fours or fives, even on the Nationals. Jarlin Susana and Travis Sykora are two prospects with front-line potential but both are 21 years old and dealing with injuries. As is DJ Herz. I like Jake Bennett and think he should get innings but you get what I’m trying to say. More is needed.

The type of pitcher the Nationals should target are bounce-back candidates who they could trade at the deadline or fliers that have a chance, even if it’s small, to factor into the future.

Potential Free Agent Options: Jordan Montgomery, Austin Gomber, Dustin May, Tyler Mahle, Nestor Cortes

Jordan Montgomery and Nestor Cortes are two lefties who should be looking for one-year prove it deals that won’t break the bank. Each has had sustained success in the past but injury has derailed momentum and I’d argue both have to prove it before landing on a contender.

Dustin May is not the top prospect he once was. Injuries have changed the trajectory of his career but a good season could make him somewhat intriguing. Gomber, on the other hand, is not very intriguing but would eat some innings.

The Mahle fit might feel strange at first but hear me out. A talented arm that could be the type to miss the first, and second, wave of signings and not get the term he might be looking for. If the Nationals are willing to give him a two or three year deal to help bridge to the next wave of Nationals starters that could work for both sides.

Add at First Base

When the Nationals acquired Nathaniel Lowe I thought it was a great fit, but it went south fast. He did not even finish the year in Washington, leaving the Nationals with a massive hole and only Andres Chaparro, a fringe player, on the depth chart.

Luckily, first base is a position where you can find some veterans that might add to your offense without costing too much. The big names will be headed to large markets and contenders, but you can find the Josh Bells of the world (not suggesting a reunion) relatively easy.

First base is also a position the Nationals should be open to upgrading via trade. If there’s a change-of-scenery type of move to be had the Nationals should be open to it.

Potential Free Agent Targets: Ty France, DJ LeMahieu, Paul Goldschmidt, Luis Arraez

The first three names are pretty straightforward. The one-year veteran that gives you exactly what you would expect, doesn’t cost much, provides leadership in the clubhouse, and so on. Not the most exciting move but one we see happen every year.

Arraez is a bit more intriguing. He is a difficult player to value due to his poor defense and lack of power, but you won’t find a better bat-to-ball guy in all of baseball. Although I’d love to add power via first base, the Nationals can’t afford that luxury at this time.

Adding Arraez would insert a great contact hitter to a lineup that not only needs more balls in play, but could use a veteran as well. He’ll likely get a two-year deal which would be perfect for the Nationals timeline not tying up money well into the future.

Potential Trade Options: Jordan Walker, Ryan Mountcastle, Christian Encarnacion-Strand

These are a bit more interesting than the free agent names. I’ll start with Mountcastle, who is getting pushed out of the O’s depth chart and comes over on the final year of his team control. The power never reached the potential we saw early in his career, but he’s mostly been a solid hitter who could be had for cheap due to his down 2025 and lack of room in Baltimore.

Walker is the move that will take the most mental gymnastics. He’s not really a first baseman, but should be. It’s time to allow Walker to focus on one thing and one thing only – finding his groove at the plate again. It’s been a disaster in St. Louis and it’s well past time for a change.

The Cardinals are sellers but the Nationals aren’t exactly buyers. Usually, we see these change of scenery type moves happen regardless if a team is buying or selling. I still think it would take a decent return to get Walker despite his struggles.

Lastly, CES. A large body with a ton of power and little to no plate discipline. He’s been injured a lot the past two seasons and the Reds might want to hold onto him, but if they sign other players he could be expendable. Power upside with years of control.

Add a Veteran Catcher

How much longer will the Nationals try to make Keibert Ruiz work? How about the Riley Adams backup plan? Both have had plenty of runway and both have proven to be underwhelming.

I get that the Ruiz contract means he’s going to be on the roster, which makes sense for a rebuilding team, but he cannot be a preferred option. The Nationals do have a nice catching prospect in Caleb Lomavita, but considering he’s logged nine total games above Single-A he won’t factor in initially.

As you know, a catcher’s job is managing a pitching staff first and foremost. Ruiz has not improved behind the dish which makes the need for a more defensive catcher such a need. As more young arms come up you’ll want a veteran with a track record of helping pitchers to be on your staff.

Potential Free Agent Targets: Jonah Heim, Victor Caratini

Two veterans who both did not have the best years in 2025 but have shown the ability to be pretty significant upgrades defensively from what the Nationals currently have. Each will likely have interest from contenders in some fashion, but the Nationals should be willing to tack on the extra year to make it happen.

You want to have experience behind the plate when you are in the Nationals position with young arms on the way. Investing a little more in the catcher position, in a way, is investing more in your young arms.

Potential Trade Targets: Ben Rortvedt, Jake Rogers, Yohel Pozo

I’ll go ahead and say these names are not all that likely to be moved, but would be defensive upgrades. The Reds just signed Rortvedt but I doubt Jose Trevino will be on the move after they gave him an extension. If he is, get Trevino, but Tyler Stephenson is possibly getting dealt. Rorvedt could be a spring training move if they keep the others and a good upgrade behind the dish on a $1 million deal.

Rogers has been passed up by Dillion Dingler in Detroit. A defense-first catcher who can run into some home runs and gets great reviews on how he handles a staff. After adding two catchers to the 40-man in order to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft, the Tigers might need to move one.

Move CJ Abrams off Shortstop

I know that this conversation is not new to many Nats fans. If you have watched Abrams over the years you’ll understand why I think the move off short should be a top priority. He has a weak arm, his range is horrible, and he’s shown little signs of improvement.

In 2025 Abrams was worth -11 Outs Above Average after posting -18 OAA in 2024. Last season, he was at -6 Defensive Runs Saved. The time to move him off shortstop, perhaps to second base, is now. Move on from Luis Garcia, who had a -17 DRS, and “improve” your second base defense in a half joking way.

I still think that Abrams is a plus player and a good bat for the Nationals lineup. He’s improved at the plate and is still young enough to have some upside. But, in order for him to truly be the best player he can be, the challenges at short will need to end.

Sure, this creates a hole at short. Sign a veteran and worry about that down the line. You have drafted some short stops in recent years who could take over.

Final Thoughts

The Nationals will have their first offseason under a new front office which is always hard to predict. However, we know they are not contenders which will eliminate a number of the top free agents. They don’t have a robust system which will make impact trades difficult.

Is what I outlined boring and, in the best case, an 82-win team? Yes. But it would be irresponsible not only of me, but of the front office, to do something so drastic that they risk even more long term damage.

Like it or not, the Nationals are heading towards another year of player evaluations.