News Nationals Team Notes

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals claim Joey Wiemer off of waivers

Paul Toboni has made his first move of 2026. The Nats claimed Joey Wiemer off of waivers from the San Francisco Giants. Wiemer was a former top 100 prospect in the Brewers system, but his unrefined offensive game has led to him struggling to lock down an MLB role.

Sources: The Nationals have claimed outfielder Joey Wiemer off waivers. Wiemer, a former top prospect with the Brewers, was most recently designated for assignment by the Giants.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 5, 2026

The Nats appear to be giving Wiemer a chance. He is a 6’4 226 pound outfielder with elite athleticism. However, he has big whiff and plate discipline issues. So far in his career, the 26 year old has played for the Brewers, the Reds and the Marlins. He was picked up by the Giants this offseason, but was later DFA’d. Now he is with the Nats.

Wiemer’s best tools are his legs and his glove. Last season, Wiemer posted three outs above average in just 27 games. When he got real playing time back in 2023, Wiemer had a fielding run value of +10. His range combined with an absolute cannon of an arm makes him a weapon in the outfield.

Nats have claimed Joey Wiemer off waivers

pic.twitter.com/ExLoBSUJNY

— Kev (@klwoodjr) January 5, 2026

Wiemer also has big time power. In 499 career plate appearances, Wiemer has 16 homers. His exit velocities are also very good. However, his aggression and strikeouts have made him a liability at the plate. For his career, Wiemer has a .203 average with a .638 OPS.

Last season, Wiemer was solid in a brief stint with the Marlins. He posted a .715 OPS in 61 PA’s. However, he did strike out 37.7% of the time and only walked 3.3% of the time. At the plate, you just hope Wiemer can run into one.

However, his splits do intrigue me a bit. Wiemer is much better against left handed pitching. For his career, Wiemer has a .255 average with a .779 OPS against lefties. Meanwhile, he has a .178 average with a .559 OPS against righties.

If Wiemer sticks on the roster, he will probably be a platoon center fielder. Given the volume of outfielders the Nats have, I would not be surprised if he is DFA’d again at some point. The Nats probably hope he would go unclaimed and be a part of their system.

With this move, the Nats 40 man roster is full. If/when the Nats make another move, they are going to have to DFA somebody. To be honest, there are plenty of candidates, including Wiemer himself. Hopefully Joey Wiemer can establish himself as a strong center field defender who can crush lefties.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ngton-nationals-claim-joey-wiemer-off-waivers

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals claim Blue Jays RHP Paxton Schultz off of waivers

After claiming Joey Wiemer on Monday, Paul Toboni is using the waiver wire again. This time he has claimed Blue Jays pitcher Paxton Schultz. I like this claim, and think Schultz will have a place on the roster. He is a swing man, who can fill a variety of roles and also has solid stuff.

The Nationals have claimed pitcher Paxton Schultz off waivers, per source.

Schultz pitched in 13 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season. Was used as a reliever/opener in 2025. He was DFA’d so Toronto could clear space on their roster for Kazuma Okamoto.

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) January 9, 2026

Last season, Schultz made his debut for the Blue Jays, making 13 appearances, with two of them being starts. He held his own at the MLB level posting a respectable 4.38 ERA in 24.2 innings. Schultz’s combination of strikeouts and solid command makes him an interesting arm.

With the Blue Jays, Schultz struck out 25.5% of hitters and walked just 7.3% of them. He does this with a strong four pitch mix. His fastball averaged a touch below 94 MPH, but the pitch has a lot of carry. That movement profile is why Schultz had a 26.3% whiff rate on his heater. His most used secondary pitch is a cutter, which also has good whiff numbers. Schultz throws a changeup, mostly to lefties and a slider, mostly to righties. It is a solid mix that can get results in the MLB.

Recently-DFA'd RHP Paxton Schultz could be worth a #Padres waiver claim.

In 2025 at the MLB level:
– 25.5% K | 7.3% BB
– 27.4% Whiff & Chase (32.7% vs FC)
– 1.46 HR/9, .333 BABIP can indicate positive regression

Has 2 MiLB options left, solid swingman addition? pic.twitter.com/fTZ3531TtD

— Diego Garcia (@StatNerd_Base) January 5, 2026

He may not have a true plus pitch, but he has a solid mix and good control. Schultz gives up more hard contact and home runs than you would like to see though. He struggled with the long ball in his first MLB stint.

Schultz will be a multi inning relief option for the Nats. With guys like Schultz, Brad Lord, Andrew Alvarez and Mitchell Parker, I wonder if the Nats get more creative in how they deploy their pitchers. Do not be surprised if we see more bullpen games in 2026.

At 28, Schultz is not a youngster, but he is not old either. There could be more untapped potential, though I am not sure how much. He grinded his way to the MLB as a former 14th round pick, earning everything he has gotten.

Nats have claimed Paxton Schultz off waivers

Check out his story:

pic.twitter.com/SgQRSj7tr0

— Kev (@klwoodjr) January 9, 2026

I think Schultz has a good chance of sticking on the Nats roster for a while. He has two option years, so he can go up and down when needed. Optionable arms are something GM’s like to have. It gives them more flexibility. If the Nats just need innings to fill, they can turn to Schultz.

This claim is probably going to be more impactful than the Wiemer claim. Schultz has a clearer path to playing time and has been more productive. He may not be a flashy piece, but Paxton Schultz will fill a role for the Washington Nationals.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/lat...ls-claim-blue-jays-paxton-schultz-off-waivers

 

[Washington Nationals]

The Washington Nationals have an array of hybrid arms

The waiver claim of Paxton Schultz continues an interesting trend for the Washington Nationals. They now have quite a few pitchers that profile well in a multi-inning relief role. This makes me think that the Nats may get creative in how they use their pitchers in 2026.

Last season, the Nats used a standard five man rotation and a conventional bullpen structure. The rotation changed based on who was available, but the Nats plan was to have their starters go at least five innings if possible. Based on the makeup of the pitching staff, that may change in 2026. We wrote about this concept about a month ago.

With a more analytical mind in Paul Toboni running the show, the Nats might get more creative in how they distribute innings. I have a feeling they will use two long relief types to get through six innings much more this season. They have the arms to do this and this strategy might be the best way to maximize them.

Paxton Schultz is a perfect example of this. Last season, he made 13 appearances and two starts. He got more than three outs in 8 of his 13 outings. Schultz spent most of his Minor League career as a starter, before becoming a swingman in 2024. He has a four pitch mix that allows him to go through a lineup more than once as well. Schultz is just a Swiss Army Knife type of an arm.

Nats claim Paxton Shultz

In 24.2 IP, he showed good underlying batted-ball metrics + a knack for soft contact

His biggest knock is “Stuff” sporting below average velo and movement across the board

We’d expect him to add a sinker as it fits his current arsenal (FF, FC, CH, SL) pic.twitter.com/ohT17hSXRR

— Baseball Unstitched Podcast (@BaseUnstitched) January 9, 2026

If you need three outs in the middle innings, Schultz can do that. If you need a mop up guy, Schultz can be your man. If you need a spot start, Schultz can do that as well. He will not blow you away, but in a 162 game season, you need out getters. When you do not have a great rotation, these types of arms are valuable. Paul Toboni seems to understand this well.

Brad Lord is another example of a guy who can do the same sort of stuff. He is a better option to start games than Schultz, but he also has bullpen experience. Last season, Lord made 48 appearances, with 19 being starts. His numbers were better in the bullpen, but he also held his own in the rotation.

Brad Lord's 2Ks in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/n8uxe6C8OF

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 8, 2025

Like Schultz, Lord can just be a chess piece on a pitching staff. He can float between the rotation and the bullpen, filling both roles admirably. In the modern game, this skillset is more valuable than ever. Only top of the rotation type arms tend to go deep in the game these days, so you need to find a way to fill innings.

I can envision the Nats just going into some random Tuesday night game, and asking Lord to give them four innings and Schultz deliver two innings. That is almost as good as a starter giving you six innings.

Another guy I could see doing this is Andrew Alvarez. He was very impressive in his five MLB starts, posting a 2.31 ERA. However, he did not go very deep into his starts. Alvarez relies on deception and fooling hitters. This leads to deeper counts and a high pitch count. It also makes him less effective when hitters see him more.

Andrew Alvarez impressed in 5 starts (2.31 ERA, tons of weak contact). Small sample, but he looked legit. Should he get a real shot at the 2026 rotation? pic.twitter.com/xnBRdZscpM

— natsfanatics (@natsfanatics_) November 17, 2025

However, Alvarez is good at fooling hitters for three or four innings. If you pair him with another multi-inning reliever, you can get six solid innings. Of course, you cannot do this every game and need guys to give length.

MacKenzie Gore can do that if he is not traded. He may not deliver seven innings, but he will usually give you five or six. Jake Irvin is also a classic innings eater. Hopefully Cade Cavalli can take a step and be a difference making starter as well. He has the stuff and the frame, but has had injury and consistency issues.

Mitchell Parker and maybe Trevor Williams when he returns are also candidates to fill this bulk role as well. The Nats pitching staff is short on proven commodities, and certainly will not be a strength as currently constructed. However, I have faith in the front office to make the unit better than it was last year.

Between improved player development and creative deployment, I trust this regime to get the most out of what they have. It will be far from perfect, but I have faith that there will be steps in the right direction. Eventually, the Nats will need to go all in on acquiring top line starting pitching, but let’s cross that bridge when we get there.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/general/88317/the-washington-nationals-have-array-hybrid-arms

 

[Washington Nationals]

Has Washington Nationals prospect Travis Sykora become underrated?

Since he was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Travis Sykora was seen as a crown jewel in the Nationals system. Despite not being taken until the 71st pick, Sykora got $2.6 million, which was top 35 money in his class. He was a 6’6 flamethrower from Texas with an upper 90’s fastball, and more polish than expected.

Sykora idolizes Nolan Ryan, and it is easy to see that on the mound. Like Ryan, Sykora has a big leg kick and produces easy velocity. In 2024 and the first half of 2025, Sykora was trending to be a future ace. He posted a 2.33 ERA in 2024 with a crazy 39.2% strikeout rate. Sykora just overwhelmed Low-A hitters with his mix of stuff and polish.

It was more of the same to start in 2025. After a delayed start to the season due to offseason hip surgery, Sykora was dominant. He had a few tuneup outings in rookie ball and Low-A, but really got going in High-A. In six High-A starts, he posted a 1.21 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 29.2 innings. He looked like a man amongst boys at yet another level.

Foot on the GAS! ️

Travis Sykora struck out in 6.0 scoreless innings, his 7th scoreless outing in 10 starts this season. pic.twitter.com/YBtk3uDhxq

— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) June 25, 2025

However, things came crashing down very quickly. Sykora had a couple starts in AA, where he was still getting strikeouts, but was walking more guys. The more patient hitters were not chasing his pitches as much. This is something Sykora would have likely been able to adapt to, but he did not get the chance.

After striking out the side in the first inning of his second AA start, Sykora exited the game with an arm injury. A couple weeks later, Nats fans got the dreaded news that Sykora would need to undergo Tommy John Surgery. He would undergo surgery in late August.

Romans 12:2 pic.twitter.com/aEPF5PkRcc

— Travis Sykora (@travissykora1) August 21, 2025

Before the injury, Sykora was easily a top 50 prospect and was well on his way to being a top 25 prospect in the game. He was so dominant in the lower levels and had all the tools. Sykora’s fastball sits in the mid to upper 90’s. He combines that with a slider and a splitter, which both have plus potential. While his command is not perfect, it is quite advanced for a 21 year old power pitcher. He is also a smart pitcher, with the ability to mix and match well.

After the injury, Sykora’s stock has inevitably dropped. He missed the back half of 2026 and will miss most, if not all of 2026. That is a lot of development time that is now gone. Sykora was also an older high school prospect in 2023. By the time he comes back, he will be entering his age 23 season, with just 4.2 innings above A ball.

He went from a top 50 lock to a fringe top 100 prospect. Baseball America now has him as the Nats 5th ranked prospect. For me, that is a bit of an overreaction. I understand it, but still think Sykora is a top 3 or 4 prospect in the system. His results were just too good.

Prospect of the Day!
Travis Sykora
WSN, AA, SP | Rank: #62
Projection: 3.28 ERA, 11 K/9, 1.15 WHIP

The 21 year old Sykora was firmly on his way to becoming the next #1 pitching prospect in 2025, completely dominating opposing hitters with a 1.79 ERA, a 0.772 WHIP, and 15.7… pic.twitter.com/A4lLzUuYO3

— Ross Jensen (@rossjensen) December 22, 2025

For me, Sykora should be comfortably ahead of a guy like Luis Perales, who BA has ahead of him. While Perales is healthy now, he missed almost all of 2025 due to a TJ of his own. When he came back, his stuff looked better than ever, but his control was erratic. He also has much more reliever risk than Sykora.

Travis Sykora should be in the 2-4 range on the Nats prospect list. Eli Willits is the clear number one for me, but Sykora, Harry Ford and Jarlin Susana are all in the same tier. Of those three, Sykora still has the best chance of being a truly impactful player. It is easy to see him becoming a top of the rotation arm. Susana has relief risk and injury concerns of his own, while Ford has a lower ceiling.

Ranking a pitcher who won’t pitch next season is a tough exercise because of the uncertainty. Sykora is missing a lot of time to develop and it is no guarantee that he comes back the same. Most guys come back from their first TJ fine, but it is still not 100%. When Sykora does come back in 2027, he will also be on an innings limit.

The next time we are likely to see Sykora totally unleashed is 2028. He may get a taste of big league action in 2027, but he is not likely to be a full time MLB player until 2028. This surgery really pushes back his timeline and drops his stock. However, it is important not to overreact as well. A healthy Travis Sykora can still be an ace, and there are not many arms like that in the Minor Leagues.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...n-nationals-prospect-travis-sykora-underrated

 

[Washington Nationals]

Should the Washington Nationals consider trading MacKenzie Gore to the rival Mets

There was an interesting report that came out Yesterday, saying that the New York Mets have spoken to the Nationals about MacKenzie Gore. This brings up a fascinating discussion about the idea of trading a premium talent to your division rival. Of course, it would not be ideal, but the Mets happen to have one of the best farm systems in the sport.

Source: The Mets recently spoke to the Nationals about starter Mackenzie Gore

Plus: Details about Edward Cabrera talks https://t.co/HNtHHx0Jy1

— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) January 10, 2026

Despite talking to the Mets, the report said that nothing is close and that the Nats asking price on Gore is “astronomically high”. The price should be high, especially for a division rival. If you are going to trade your best pitcher to your rival, you better nail the return. However, the Mets elite farm system makes it easier to nail a return.

The only Mets prospects totally off the table are Nolan McLean and Carson Benge. Those are both top 30 prospects and guys the Mets are counting on. However, there are plenty of other talented players in their system.

Jonah Tong could be a fun headliner if he is available. He posted a 1.43 ERA with 179 strikeouts in 113.2 minor league innings. Sure, he struggled in the MLB and needs to refine his breaking stuff, but he dominated the minors. Tong is also very young, at just 22 years old. His high release, combined with an elite fastball/changeup combination is very exciting.

However, Tong is far from the only guy the Nats could target in that system. The Mets have impressive depth and could give the Nats a fun quantity based package. A return of Brandon Sproat, Ryan Clifford and Jack Wenninger would be quite enticing. Those are two close to the big league arms and a potential first baseman of the future.

There are so many quality options to choose from in this Mets system and they match up nicely with the Nats needs. However, the Mets are going to need to pay up if they want Gore. If the packages from other teams are comparable, the Nats are likely to choose those deals. The Mets do have the ability to provide the Nats a return they cannot turn down.

The Mets are not the only team in New York interested in Gore though. There have also been reports that the Yankees are interested in the southpaw. Obviously, Nats fans would be more comfortable with the idea of Gore going to the Bronx. Even if the Yankees system is not as good as the Mets, they still have some interesting assets.

Feels like Brian Cashman will want to pursue a cheaper starter, so MacKenzie Gore fits the description perfectly

While he is another lefty (which the Yankees probably want to stay away from), his stuff is undeniable. Gore has an extremely high K/9, and if he can find a bit more… pic.twitter.com/gxMMBIXeMN

— Freddie (@PlayoffYankees) January 8, 2026

The Yankees have a few arms that would entice the Nats. Guys like Elmer Rodriguez, Carlos Lagrange and Ben Hess all excite me. Building a return around two of those three arms would be fun. Lagrange is massive and has electric stuff, which Paul Toboni clearly values. Hess looks like a prototypical middle of the rotation arm. Lastly, Rodriguez has a great feel for spin and a deep mix.

If the Nats wanted to do something a bit different, they could target Will Warren. He is not a prospect and is actually the same age as Gore. However, he has five years of control instead of two. He showed promise in his rookie season last year. A package based around Warren and Ben Hess could be worth considering.

Of course, the New York teams are not the only options here. The Giants make a ton of sense, especially if you can pry Bryce Eldridge away from them. I still believe the A’s could be a potential dark horse here.

Due to his upside and cheap price, most teams around the league should be interested in Gore. Only having two years of control is a limiting factor, but he is still a controllable piece for other teams.

We also know Gore’s salary for next year. The other day, the Nats and Gore agreed to avoid arbitration, giving him a $5.6 million deal for the 2026 season. That is extremely cheap compared to the free agent arms on the market like Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez. Gore has a similar ceiling to those guys at a fraction of the cost.

Source: MacKenzie Gore and the Nationals have agreed at $5.6 million to avoid arbitration.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 8, 2026

With another year of team control in 2027, Gore also comes at a major discount for next season. This is super valuable from a roster building perspective. In exchange for the cheap price and upside, teams are going to have to give the Nats a lot of prospect capital. Paul Toboni knows this, which is why he is asking for a lot.

The Nats seem to be in a good position to trade him this offseason. Teams are starting to get desperate as we get closer to Spring Training. Hopefully that killer offer comes in, but if it does not, Toboni seems to be comfortable holding on to Gore.

I am not opposed to the idea of trading Gore within the division, but the return better be stellar. If the Mets are offering the best package, it would be foolish to turn them down just because they are division rivals. The reason you are trading Gore is because the team is unlikely to be a true contender in the next couple years. If the Mets give you a package that helps make you a contender in the long term, take it.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/nat...ls-consider-trading-mackenzie-gore-rival-mets

 

[Washington Nationals]

How Much Does James Wood Need To Improve On Defense in 2026?

James Wood’s defense was a tale of two seasons in 2025. To begin the season, he looked like a very solid defender out in left field, putting up 2 OAA in June, which brought him to an even 0 OAA entering July, surpassing many fans and experts’ expectations. In the second half, however, his defensive cracks began to show, as he posted -6 OAA from July to September, including -3 OAA in September alone. Overall, despite his roughly average arm strength and sprint speed, Wood finished near the bottom of left fielders in terms of overall defense.

Entering 2026, the left field job is all Woods, as he is the best bat on the ball club and the future of the organization, but with how much talent the club has in or near the big leagues in the outfield, it is fair to start to wonder when it’s time to consider James Wood as a full-time designated hitter.

For starters, it would make an extension much easier to get done, as Wood would likely be cheaper to lock up as a DH than an outfielder. It could also help Wood maximize his ability as a hitter, as he is more rested from not playing outfield and has more time to focus on his offensive game.

It would be a shame to write off James Wood as a defender so early in his career, however, especially when he showed some flashes as a defender in the first half of 2025, so let’s take a look at how much Wood needs to improve on defense this season to hold the left field job entering 2027.

Of the 33 qualified left fielders in baseball, Wood ranked 29th among them in OAA at -7. While he was a much better hitter than the names slightly above and below him on that leaderboard, it still is rough company to be in, especially at such a young age when he should be near his athletic prime. For Wood’s 2026 season to be considered a defensive success to me, I’d like to see him get to around -3 to -4 OAA, still below average, but an improvement from where he was in 2025.

According to Statcast, the aspect of left field Wood needs the most work on is fielding balls hit to his right, his non-glove side, on which he had a -5 OAA. While towards the foul line can be very difficult to defend for non-left-handed right fielders, getting Wood closer to -1 to -2 OAA on those plays would be a strong starting point in improving his overall defense in the outfield.

Wood also faced some issues with balls hit behind him, where he posted a -2 OAA in 2025. While good coaching will be critical in helping Wood improve his jumps and routes to fly balls, maybe the most important step in improving on defense will come from Wood himself, and learning from his full season of experience in 2025.

While he doesn’t need to go from one of the worst to one of the best in a year to make me confident in him as a defender, he for sure cannot afford to regress as a defender if he wants to avoid becoming a full-time DH sometime soon. If 2026 proves to be more of the same, Wood becoming the Nats’ designated hitter isn’t the end of the world, as it cheapens a possible extension and frees up playing time for youngsters such as Robert Hassell and Christian Franklin.

For those interested, linked here is a tool in Baseball Savant that allows you to play around with all sorts of defensive situations Wood was faced with in 2025, anywhere from his success by exit velocity, distance, to catch probability.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/general/88342/how-much-james-wood-need-improve-defense-2026

 

[Washington Nationals]

MLB Draft 2026: Cameron Flukey is a high octane college arm the Washington Nationals can dream on

It has been a little while since we have done our last draft profile, so let’s do one today. The Nationals need pitching, so I decided to break down Cameron Flukey, one of the best college pitchers in the class. Flukey, who is the Coastal Carolina ace, has an exciting blend of stuff and command.

Despite being a sophomore last year, Cameron Flukey was one of the best pitchers in college baseball. He helped lead Coastal Carolina to the College World Series championship game, where they fell short against LSU. Flukey still had a very impressive campaign, and is a near lock to go in the top 15.

Cameron Flukey, 97mph ️ (home plate view). pic.twitter.com/P0kaEALC6g

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 22, 2025

With the Nats sitting at pick 11, there is obviously a chance Flukey is off the board. However, with a strong crop of college pitchers, there is a decent chance Flukey falls to pick 11. If he is there, the Nationals will have to seriously consider taking him.

So, what makes Cameron Flukey so special? Well, he is pretty close to the complete package. Flukey possesses a mid to upper 90’s fastball he maintains deep into his starts. The pitch gets above average carry as well. Flukey also has two above average breaking balls with a plus hammer curveball and an above average slider. All of those pitches play up due to his above average command.

Some Cameron Flukey highlights for your feed. I would love to see the Athletics land him at pick No. 8 in the '26 draft, pairing him with Jamie Arnold.

60-grade Fastball
60-grade Curveball
55-grade Slider
55-grade Control

In '25:

101.2 IP
3.19 ERA
4.92 K/BB
.206 BAA
1.00 WHIP pic.twitter.com/mCIwj7OLgQ

— Tobey Schulman (@tschulmanreport) December 10, 2025

Most young pitchers struggle with command, and Flukey was no exception as a freshman in college. He walked 27 batters in 55 innings his first season. Flukey also struggled to keep the ball in the yard. However, his command took a massive leap forward in his sophomore year. In 101.2 innings, Flukey only walked 24 batters. That is 2.1 BB/9, which is elite even for a big leaguer.

Flukey also gave up fewer homers despite pitching nearly double the innings. With his now elite control, Flukey is a super safe college pitching prospect. This is the type of profile the Nationals need. They have a lot of flame throwers with command questions, but not many complete pitchers.

Despite making massive strides as a sophomore, Flukey is still working on his craft. There is a fun video of Flukey working on ironing out his mechanics and refining his pitch shapes. If Flukey takes yet another leap, the Nats could be out of luck, given the fact they are picking 11th.

Cameron Flukey Pen Day

A winter break of refining shapes and eliminating an over drift. Cam looking sharp and ready to go for @coastalbsb this spring.

Fastball 94-97
Slider 84-86
Curveball 76-78
CH 84-86
️#Develop #Coastal @MLBPipeline @bigdonkey47 @OnTheClock_1… pic.twitter.com/tg6QGDtOSs

— Baseball Performance Center (@The_BPCsj) December 27, 2025

While Flukey is great, he is not a perfect prospect. His stuff is good, but it does not jump off the page like a Jackson Flora, who we wrote about last month. I am also interested to see how his curveball translates to pro ball.

Flukey’s curveball is arguably his best pitch. It is a bit of a throwback, as it is a slow 12/6 hook. We do not see many sub 80 MPH benders these days, especially not as a primary secondary pitch. I wonder if the Nats would have him lean on his slider more if he gets drafted by them. Flukey clearly has a strong capacity to spin the ball, so maybe the Nats can play with his breaking ball shapes.

Flukey’s fastball is good, but not elite either. Despite that, many people believe Flukey is the best college pitcher in the draft. His command and stuff is a package that does not come around very often.

Cameron Flukey is my running favorite to be the first pitcher drafted in 2026. Let's break down why pic.twitter.com/phexiw0rdo

— Nate Rasmussen (@RasmussenBase) September 17, 2025

There seems to be a big three when it comes to college pitchers in this class. Flukey, Flora and Liam Peterson of Florida will all battle it out to be the top college arm. The Nats are unlikely to have their choice of the three, but one of them is likely to slip into their range.

Flukey is the safest of the three. He has a strong four pitch mix with good command. There may not be a true plus pitch, but he does everything at a fairly high level. He was also the best performer of the three last year, posting a 3.19 ERA in over 100 innings.

There also could be more in the tank for Flukey. At 6’6 210 pounds, Flukey has a chance to fill out and add even more velocity. The draft is still a ways away, but we usually know who most of the top guys are. Flukey is going to be one of those guys. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the 9th best prospect and Baseball America has him at 10, so he is a realistic option for the Nats.

This is the kind of prospect I would love for the Nats to draft. Flukey has a chance to fly to the big leagues and make an impact quickly. He could follow the path taken by guys like Trey Yesavage and Chase Burns. Hopefully he can help the Nats in a 2027 playoff run.

Flukey may not have true ace potential, but he is a strong bet to be a number 2 starter. The Nats need guys like that and with the strength of this draft, they should have a chance to get one. If he is on the board, Cameron Flukey would give Paul Toboni the chance to draft a guy who can make an MLB impact quickly.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/mlb...ane-college-arm-washington-nationals-dream-on

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals create new Minor League development camp ahead of Spring Training

Yesterday, the Washington Post reported that the Nationals are launching a Minor League development camp in West Palm Beach that will open later this month. This camp will host about 60 minor leaguers and will run from January 20th until the start of Spring Training. The Nats have never done anything like this before, so this is an exciting development.

Next week, the Nationals are hosting a supplemental camp for ~60 minor leaguers before spring training starts. Talked to AGM Devin Pearson about why.

That, plus some prospects who will be there, updates on new technology/spending and more:https://t.co/1REe3m1juY

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) January 12, 2026

When Paul Toboni arrived in DC, he promised a scouting and player development monster. This camp was clearly part of his vision. The camp will allow for minor league players to get an early start and have more time with team officials. It is a very exciting idea and is a sign that a new regime is in town.

The previous regime was not this hands on when it came to offseason training. As a result, the club began to lag behind when it came to player development. This new regime is going to do whatever it takes to fix that. Creating a player development pipeline is a big reason why Toboni was hired and now he is turning words into action.

There are going to be some exciting players at this camp. A lot of the Nats 2025 draft class will be down in West Palm, including number one pick Eli Willits. Coy James and Miguel Sime Jr. are also among the players who will be there according to the Post.

Some notable names from the Nationals' most recent draft class that are expected to be at this camp: Eli Willits, Miguel Sime and Coy James. https://t.co/g62RhNmvtq

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) January 12, 2026

Seeing these talented, but raw high school players being developed is so exciting. Over the years, the Nats have drafted plenty of players with elite physical gifts. However, they have not found a way to turn those players into big leaguers. Hopefully that can change with this new regime.

It really does seem like the organization is all in on becoming a player development monster. Toboni has been given free reign to execute his vision, at least on the player development and technology side of things. Hopefully, free agent signings come down the road, but when it comes to player development and tech, ownership is putting their money where their mouth is.

Speaking of technology, it was noted in the story that the Nats will have multiple Trajekt machines this season. Of course, the Nats not having any of these machines became a source of controversy last season. Trajekt machines are state of the pitching machines that can replicate the arsenal of any pitcher.

Also in @andrewcgolden's story: The Nationals are expected to have at least two Trajekt machines this season, per sources, one in Washington and one in West Palm Beach.

They were one of just a few MLB teams who didn't have one last year.https://t.co/ZpDblrb6nX

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) January 12, 2026

Last season, the Nationals were one of only a handful of teams not to have the machine. It just drove home the idea that the Nationals front office was behind the curve and that ownership was not willing to spend money on technology. Now, the Nats are going to have two machines, one in West Palm and one in DC.

This is a super useful resource to have and it helps Nats hitters prepare for the pitchers they are about to face. However, there is just as much symbolic value in this as well. The lack of a Trajekt machine was a symbol of how far behind the Nationals had fallen. Now, with the new regime, the Nats are all in on technology.

This camp and the new tech should create some optimism for fans. Sure, the Nats aren’t spending big in free agency, but ownership is allowing Paul Toboni to act on his vision. The results of this project may not show up in 2026, but these steps will make the Nationals a better team down the road. I am very excited to see this organization take the steps required to modernize.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/lat...league-development-camp-ahead-spring-training

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals leave MASN and partner with the MLB for broadcasts

Washington Nationals fans, we are finally free from MASN. After a long and unhappy marriage, the Nationals are leaving MASN and partnering with MLB TV to broadcast their games. The Nats announced the move this morning. After much uncertainty, we know how we are going to watch Nats games in 2026.

NATIONALS TV is here

watch nats games all year (NO BLACKOUTS) with https://t.co/M7AONBLYL5 pic.twitter.com/4bpjygPBDn

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 14, 2026

This move comes with some steps for Nats fans. In market fans are going to have to buy a streaming package. The package will cost $19.99 a month, or $99.99 for the season. These packages will be available for purchase in February.

For out of market fans, not a whole lot is going to change to be honest. This package is a whole lot cheaper than MASN+ was and there are no blackout restrictions. For Nats fans, this is a big change, but one that has been years in the making. MASN always made the relationship between the Nats and the O’s contentious, but now that is over.

Nats fans always rightfully felt like they were getting the short end of the stick in this MASN deal. The O’s basically controlled the Nats media rights and let us take the scraps. Now that we are partnering with the MLB, that will no longer be the case. Let’s just say, Nats fans are not shedding any tears about leaving the network.

How life feels now that the Nats are free from MASN pic.twitter.com/ExCY9xkgwr

— New Years Shack (@WeAreAllShack) January 14, 2026

Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post wrote a really good writeup about what is going on here. She also had some important information. Janes wrote that color commentator Kevin Frandsen is expected to be back next year. However, she also added that the Nats are still in the market for a play-by-play guy following Bob Carpenter’s retirement.

NEWS: No more MASN for the Washington Nationals: Nats will partner with MLB to broadcast games in 2026. https://t.co/PQS9QNpHVB

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) January 14, 2026

Dan Kolko has gotten a lot of reps on MASN over the past few years, so I would imagine that he is in the mix. However, the Nats have not given him the role yet. This will be an interesting situation to monitor.

Leaving MASN marks the end of an era. The Nats have been on the network for their whole existence. It will be a bit odd to watch Nats games elsewhere, but here we are. The Nats are now going to be broadcasting their games with the MLB on Nationals TV.

I am curious how long the Nats stick with this set up. This could be a long term home, but there is also a chance that this is just a short term thing. Ted Leonsis has been circling around the team for a while and if the Lerner’s put the team on the market, he will be in the mix. Leonsis has his own RSN with Monumental, so that is worth watching.

Whether this is long term or not, the Nationals finally have a new broadcast home for 2026. It will not be MASN though. After a 2 decade run, the Nats are leaving the network and partnering with the MLB.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/lat...ls-leave-masn-partner-with-mlb-for-broadcasts

 

[Washington Nationals]

Potential MacKenzie Gore suitors are dwindling for the Washington Nationals

Last night a young NL East left handed pitcher who was drafted in the top 10 by the Padres out of high school got traded to the Yankees. No Nats fans, it was not MacKenzie Gore. Instead, the Yankees made a move for Ryan Weathers from the Marlins.

TRADE The Yankees are acquiring LHP Ryan Weathers from the Marlins in exchange for four prospects, per multiple reports pic.twitter.com/AI4n9Lkxcv

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 14, 2026

With the Yankees finding a southpaw for their rotation, the Nats options for a MacKenzie Gore trade are beginning to shrink. I entered the offseason under the assumption that Gore was getting moved. However, it does not seem like that is as likely anymore.

In my opinion, this would be the first real head scratcher of the Paul Toboni era. With the trades of Edward Cabrera, Ryan Weathers and Shane Baz, it is clear that the market is hungry for young pitching. This also feels like the perfect time to move Gore. He only has two years of control and he is healthy. A strong first half could push his market up slightly, but that is a big risk.

Would be the first real head scratcher of the Toboni era https://t.co/DpFZGIVT7H

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) January 14, 2026

If Gore struggles or gets hurt, the market could very easily dry up. With Scott Boras as his agent and the Nats not being a winning organization right now, an extension feels highly unlikely too. Given the Nats timeline, a trade feels almost inevitable. With that in mind, I think the best move would be to pull the trigger now.

However, the Nats are starting to run out of teams that desperately need him. The O’s made a trade for Baz, the Cubs went for Cabrera and now the Yankees made a move for Weathers. Maybe the O’s and Yankees can circle back for him, but the desperation is not there anymore.

"Don’t expect acquiring Weathers to halt the Yankees’ search for a higher-level starting pitcher."

– Brendan Kuty and Chris Kirschner of The Athletic pic.twitter.com/RVbE0uJhvW

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) January 14, 2026

Ironically, the only contender that is truly desperate for starting pitching right now is the New York Mets. We wrote about the idea of trading Gore to the Mets the other day and the feedback was very mixed. Some of you were fine with the idea, while it was a non-starter for others. If the Nats want to get the best package possible, trading with the Mets might be the way to go.

It is pretty clear that the front office feels less urgency to trade Gore than I do. They trust their ability to develop pitching and think Gore has another gear to get to. I agree with them and think that they could help Gore a lot. Cutting down on Gore’s fastball usage seems like something they will do. However, I am not as sold on taking on that kind of risk.

There is absolutely a world where Gore makes some tweaks and has a great first half that raises his value. However, will contenders even bump up their prices for a good Gore first half? We have seen Gore start seasons strong in the past before collapsing down the stretch. Teams are probably going to be more excited about the idea of having Gore for the whole season, rather than the back half of it where he tends to struggle.

Despite the chances going down, there still could be a Gore trade coming. Just yesterday, Jon Morosi reported that the Nats were having conversations with teams about Gore. He did note that nothing was close though.

Morosi says the Nats are “engaged with multiple teams” on MacKenzie Gore… but also “nothing close.”

Feels like the same spot as a month ago. Is this just noise, or is the asking price freezing the market? @TalkNats pic.twitter.com/qrmgweRf1l

— natsfanatics (@natsfanatics_) January 14, 2026

With pitchers and catchers reporting in less than a month, the clock is ticking on a MacKenzie Gore trade. It is still something I personally want to see. The Nats pitching staff is still rough with Gore and I like the idea of moving him for more controllable arms the new staff will have years to develop.

There are certainly teams still in the mix as well. The Yankees and O’s could circle back on Gore. A team like the A’s has a playoff caliber lineup, but needs pitching. Gore’s cheap financial price tag makes him a real option for them. Their rivals, the Giants, could also use more pitching.

However, a lot of the potential Gore suitors have found a lot of their answers. Besides the Mets, there aren’t many contenders overly desperate for pitching right now. This puts Paul Toboni in a tough spot. If he cannot get the package he is looking for, it makes some sense to hold onto Gore. However, you cannot get too greedy here. There is real risk to holding onto Gore. It can all blow up in your face if he struggles or gets hurt.

This is a high stakes decision. There is a reason Paul Toboni gets the big bucks and not me. The two trades Toboni has made this offseason have been quite exciting. I am curious to see what happens with Gore. Will Toboni make a trade, and if not, what kind of tweaks will he make to Gore’s arsenal. These are all questions we will have answers to before too long.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...rs-are-dwindling-for-the-washington-nationals

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals officially sign their 2026 IFA class

Now that it is January 15th, the Washington Nationals have officially signed their IFA class. We discussed this in an article a couple weeks back, but the signings are now totally locked in. The Nationals have a strong IFA class which is headlined by outfielders Samil Serrano and Isaias Suarez. Both signed today for around $1.9 million each.

International free agency news: The Nationals have signed Dominican outfielders Samil Serrano and Isaias Suarez for $1.969 million and $1.9 million respectively, per source.

Serrano and Suarez are two of the four players the Nats plan to spend most of their bonus money on.

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) January 15, 2026

These are the two biggest names in the class. Both are consensus top 50 players in this class and have immense potential. At 17 years old, both of these players are many years away from contributing at the MLB level, but they are worth monitoring. Last year, the Nats had their best IFA class in a while, landing the likes of Marconi German and Brayan Cortesia.

My favorite player from the class is the top name, Samil Serrano. Scouts rave about Serrano’s beautiful left handed swing. He is one of the better pure hitters in the IFA class. I also think there could be more power projection here as well. Serrano is listed at 6’3 175 pounds, so he has plenty of room to pack muscle onto that frame.

The Washington Nationals have signed Samil Serrano for $1.97 million, per @BenBadler.

He's the top player of their 2026 class.

Full scouting report: https://t.co/stOd8fu7jG pic.twitter.com/Sb4f8DODST

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) January 15, 2026

If everything clicks, Serrano has a chance to be a corner outfielder with power and hitting ability. That is a very exciting blend and it is why the Nats gave him almost $2 million. Suarez seems like more of a project, especially offensively, but he is highly athletic and has great defensive upside.

The Nats spent most of their bonus money on four players. Obviously, Serrano and Suarez are the heavy hitters, but Angel Ramirez and Juan Duran are also getting seven figures. Both of these players are outfielders with big time power upside. Ramirez is a switch hitter which is exciting. It is a lot of fun to watch switch hitters with real power.

The Nationals have also signed Dominican outfielders Angel Ramirez and Juan Duran ($1 million each), per source. Updated to correct that they’re both listed as primary outfielders, now.

This means they’ve agreed to terms with their four most expensive targets. https://t.co/kshW6iHwm1

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) January 15, 2026

These four players cost nearly $6 million of the Nats $6.67 million budget. That means the rest of the class is filled with guys who are not as highly touted. The Nats are pretty much banking on at least a couple of these four outfielders to hit.

Of course, these guys are very young, so a lot can change quickly. Last year, Marconi German was virtually unknown, and only got a bonus of $400,000. Now, only 12 months later, German is the most highly regarded player from the Nats 2025 IFA class. Maybe a player like Euris Acosta can be this year’s version of German.

Overall, the Nats signed 15 players. Most of these guys will not make it, but if a couple of these players really break out, that is a win. The IFA market is a low percentage game, but when you hit, it can change your franchise. Nats fans know that all too well. Just over a decade ago, Nats history changed forever when they signed a kid named Juan Soto.

2026 Washington Nationals International Class.

These signings will become official January 15th.

I will have coverage on these players leading up to signing day where we will begin to discuss the 2027 class. pic.twitter.com/AbWw5oRuor

— Nationals Source (@NationalsSource) January 6, 2026

It would be unrealistic to expect any of these guys to be Hall of Famers one day, but we can dream. These are all signings that were locked up by the previous regime. I am interested to see what Paul Toboni does on the international market. It is under discussed, but nailing the IFA process massively helps teams. Every year, it seems like a new star rises from Latin America. Hopefully, the Nats have found a star in this cycle.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/latest-news/88385/washington-nationals-sign-their-2026-ifa-class

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals continue to raid Driveline with their hire of Travis Fitta

The Washington Nationals have had to make a lot of hires this offseason. There has been a pattern in the type of people they are bringing into the organization though. Most of the hires are young, analytically inclined people. One place where you can find a lot of those types of people is Driveline Baseball, so naturally the Nats have been raiding them.

Yesterday, Driveline hitting coordinator Travis Fitta announced he was joining the Nats organization as the Triple-A hitting coach. At Driveline, Fitta worked with many MLB hitters, trying to refine their swings. Now, he will be taking his skills to Rochester, where he will work with the Nats.

Pumped to announce that I am joining the @Nationals organization as an MiLB Hitting Coach at Triple-A in 2026.

I am forever grateful and proud of what the last 3 years at @DrivelineBB have meant to me. A BIG thank you to every coach and athlete I shared that experience with. pic.twitter.com/vVbM0QhrSN

— Travis Fitta (@TravisFitta) January 14, 2026

I usually don’t write about these minor league hires, but this is a very exciting development. Fitta is a very sharp mind, who I know a bit about. This also continues a trend of the Nats poaching from Driveline. There are multiple people on the Nats MLB staff who have a history with Driveline.

Most notably, the Nats hired assistant hitting coach Andrew Aydt directly from Driveline, where he was the assistant director of hitting. He also seems like a very sharp guy. Still in his 20’s, Aydt is on the cutting edge of hitter development. I am very excited to see the Nats try to innovate, rather than catch up.

The Washington Nationals are taking another swing on a young coaching mind in Andrew Aydt of Driveline. He seems super sharp https://t.co/0hxNogFCGP

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) November 22, 2025

Fitta will be part of this innovative group. Based on the content that is out there, Fitta seems like an expert in swing design and optimizing how hitters use their body. There are certainly hitters in the Nats organization with meat on the bone when it comes to swing mechanics, and Fitta can help them.

One player who I think Fitta can really help is Yohandy Morales. In just about every scouting report I see on Morales, there is a note about how his swing needs tweaks. Assuming he starts the season in AAA, he will get the chance to work with Fitta everyday and fine tune that swing. Morales has the raw power, but he needs to find a way to get the ball off of the ground.

Interestingly, Fitta has some experience working with Nationals players. This offseason, there was a video about the work he did with Jacob Young. He was working to help Young translate his natural athleticism into a better swing. It was actually a very interesting video to watch.

What is Washington Nationals CF Jacob Young's favorite hitting drill?⁠

Catch the full swing design session with Jacob and FL Hitting Coordinator @TravisFitta on our YouTube channel pic.twitter.com/5rmNEGBXww

— Driveline Baseball (@DrivelineBB) November 14, 2025

Seeing Fitta in the lab makes me very bullish about this hire. Usually, the Triple-A hitting coach hire is not very flashy, but this is a little bit different. It really seems like the Nats got a star here.

Young is also not the only Nat Fitta has worked with. He is not on the team anymore, but Amed Rosario had a really nice half season in DC. His batted ball data was much improved in 2025. This came after working with Fitta for an offseason.

Amed Rosario’s 2025 wasn’t noise, it was a real shift in how he hits.

The bat was faster, the contact sounded heavier, and the results followed.

xwOBA .342 | xSLG .458 | xBA .298 after .280/.359/.250 in ’24.

That’s not a hot week; that’s a different offensive profile. pic.twitter.com/PNeD3VVbtO

— Travis Fitta (@TravisFitta) October 6, 2025

Paul Toboni and the new Nats regime is all in on creating a player development monster. Hires like Travis Fitta are an example of that commitment. The organization is taking some of the brightest minds from other franchises, college teams and even outside institutions, and bringing them here.

This is the sort of thing I have wanted the Nats to do for years, and it is finally happening. Progress at the big league level will not come overnight. However, I have faith that Paul Toboni will produce a pipeline of young talent which will make the Nats a force in the next couple of years. Travis Fitta is ju

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ontinue-raid-driveline-with-hire-travis-fitta

 

[Washington Nationals]

When Should Washington Nationals Fans Expect DJ Herz To Return To The Mound?

Entering 2025, DJ Herz was expected to play a big part in the Washington Nationals’ rotation. Across 88 2/3 innings in 2024, he posted a 4.16 ERA, 3.71 FIP, and struck out over 10 batters per 9 innings, all with great underlying numbers. His 2025 season was cut short, however, before it could begin, as after a disastrous Spring Training where his velocity plummeted and control was abysmal, he got Tommy John Surgery for a UCL Sprain in April.

While Tommy John Surgery is no longer the career-threatening procedure it once was, with it becoming almost expected to happen to most hard-throwing pitchers in today’s game, the road to recovery is still long and winding. Typically, it can take between 9 and 18 months for a pitcher to make a full recovery, accounting for all factors such as recovery throwing program, physical therapy, and the ability of each player to adjust to the change.

Take, for example, Josiah Gray, who had his 2024 season ended in April due to Tommy John Surgery. Gray was knocked out for the entire 2024 campaign, and while many people expected to see him make his return at the end of the 2025 season, the coaching staff and front office decided it was best to hold off and let him continue his recovery in Palm Beach. Gray now appears to be fully healthy entering 2026 and will be a part of the Nationals’ starting rotation, barring any unexpected trades or free agent signings this offseason. In Herz’s case, the surgery was always going to knock him out of the 2025 season completely, but a return at some point in 2026 was not off the table.

So, can Nats fans expect to see DJ Herz back on the big league mound in 2026? While it’s a difficult question to answer without knowing where in his recovery Herz is, if there has not been any setbacks, then my expectation would be yes, we will see DJ Herz pitch in the big leagues in 2026. He will first need to begin his recovery process in the minor leagues, working his way from the bottom up. Herz will also need to adjust to a starter’s workload again, as he will likely only go 3 innings at a time as he is built up. When Herz makes his big league return, it possibly could be in a bullpen role, allowing Herz more time to recover while still building himself back up.

Overall, the main focus in 2026 for DJ Herz won’t be on recovering as quickly as possible to get back to the bigs, but rather focusing on getting himself 100% healthy and ready for 2027. Expectations of winning are once again low for this Nats club this season, and the last thing they need is for Herz to have a setback in his recovery in an attempt to win marginally more games than they would without him. A fully healthy DJ Herz is a problem for big league hitters, and if the Nationals are serious about contending in the near future, he will be a key part of that vision.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...ls-fans-expect-dj-herz-to-return-to-the-mound

 

[Washington Nationals]

Former Washington Nationals players are making a mark as coaches

A number of former Washington Nationals players have taken coaching roles this offseason. There are two former Nats who have become MLB managers this offseason, and a few more that are in other coaching roles. The most recent Nat to become a coach is Michael A. Taylor, who will be an outfield instructor for the Minnesota Twins.

Twins Hire Michael A. Taylor As Outfield Instructor https://t.co/oMwQU1yd57 pic.twitter.com/Kd4tbbjYVJ

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) January 12, 2026

This role makes a ton of sense for Taylor, who was an elite defensive outfielder throughout his career. He posted 64 outs above average in his career, and was a positive defender every year. Baseball Savant started tracking OAA in 2016, so this number would have been even higher if Taylor’s first two years in the league were taken into account.

Taylor is making a very quick transition into coaching. He retired at the end of this season, playing the last games of his career at Nationals Park as a member of the Chicago White Sox. Even in his mid-30’s, Taylor posted 3 outs above average last year.

According to reports, Taylor will be working with Minor League outfielders this season. As someone who is fresh in the coaching world, it seems like the Twins will be taking it slow with Taylor. He will not be given a massive role this year, but if he wants to continue coaching, his role is likely to grow.

Taylor actually played one season in Minnesota, and performed well. He played his usual good defense while also slugging 21 home runs. Taylor was his typical boom or bust self at the plate, but the power and defense made him a valuable Twin. Now, he will be heading back to his old stomping grounds.

However, Taylor is far from the only former Nat to get a big coaching role this offseason. Two former Nationals actually became managers this offseason. The first was Kurt Suzuki, who was hired as the manager of the Angels. He only signed a one-year deal, so the pressure is on the former Nats catcher.

OFFICIAL: The Angels have hired Kurt Suzuki as the Club’s manager. pic.twitter.com/4ZrL2r6hJj

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) October 21, 2025

Suzuki brought a couple former Nats with him to LA. Mike Maddux and Kurt Suzuki never overlapped in DC, but the rookie manager poached the veteran pitching coach. Maddux is one of the most respected pitching coaches in the game. He was with the Nats in 2016 and 2017.

Interestingly, Suzuki also hired his 2019 teammate Adam Eaton to be the Angels first base coach. Eaton was involved with the Nats after his playing career, making trips to military bases. Now, he is going to the Angels to join Suzuki. Like Suzuki, Eaton finished his career with the Angels.

Suzuki is not the only former Nat to get a managerial gig on the west coast. Craig Stammen was hired as the Padres manager earlier this winter. The reliable reliever spent the first half of his career with the Nats, before having a nice run with the Padres.

We have agreed to terms with Craig Stammen on a three-year contract to become our new manager. pic.twitter.com/sqEiUH5Z5h

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) November 6, 2025

Now, Stammen will be managing his former club. The Padres have a lot of star power on their roster and will have big expectations in 2026. Stammen’s familiarity with the team’s star players should help him out though.

He actually pulled off a bit of a palace coup to get the job. Stammen was the man interviewing managerial candidates, but ended up getting the job himself. This seems like an AJ Preller driven decision rather than true palace intrigue though.

Like Suzuki, Stammen will have some familiar faces on his coaching staff. Randy Knorr was in the Nats organization for many years, but was let go this offseason. Stammen picked him up and made Knorr the Padres bench coach. Nats cult hero Steven Souza Jr. will be the Padres hitting coach. Bob Henley was a staple in the Nats organization, but he is also going to San Diego, to be the third base coach.

Some of these players becoming coaches makes me feel very old. I remember some of these guys on the field like it was yesterday. Now, they are on to the next chapter of their baseball journeys. These are the most notable former Nats in coaching, but there are more.

Aaron Barrett works with the Phillies as the rehab/complex pitching coordinator. We talked to Wilson Ramos last year, and he is very open to being a coach as well. He does not have an official coaching role this year. According to my sources, Ramos will be doing some coaching during Spring Training, but not with the Nats.

It will be interesting to see which other players go into coaching as the years go on. Howie Kendrick is a special assistant to the front office for the Phillies, so he seems like a candidate. I am sure there will be others too. This is always a fun topic to follow, even if it makes me feel really old.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...gton-nationals-players-making-mark-as-coaches

 

[Washington Nationals]

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals are both problems for the MLB

Kyler Tucker, the top free agent on the market, just signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He signed a 4-year deal that pays him $60 million a year. Just like last offseason, the defending champs are pretty much buying an All-Star team. As much as some people do not want to admit it, the MLB has a Dodgers problem. However, the Washington Nationals are also a problem for the MLB.

KYLE TUCKER WILL MAKE $60M PER YEAR

Only Shohei Ohtani has had a higher AAV in MLB history ($70M). Now they're teammates! pic.twitter.com/AWsbZFsc72

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 16, 2026

With the CBA expiring after this season, baseball has a lot of problems to resolve. They have to solve the Dodgers problem and the Nationals problem. One team is a financial super power with unprecedented access to cash, while the other team refuses to give out free agent contracts worth more than $15 million.

All of this is alienating fans and setting the stage for an inevitable showdown at the CBA negotiation table. Fans have pretty much come to terms with the fact that there will be a lockout next year. The only question now is how long will the work stoppage last. Hopefully it does not eliminate the entire season.

It is crystal clear that the MLB financial system is broken. Right now, the Dodgers are paying more in luxury tax bills than 11 teams are in total payroll. On both ends of the spectrum, that is a problem. Fans do not want to see teams buy a dynasty, but they also do not want to see other teams not try to win at all.

With the luxury tax, the Dodgers will be paying $126 million a season for Tucker (assuming no deferrals). That's more than 11 teams' entire payrolls. This is absurd.https://t.co/uwe3cLpqXw

— Andrew Flax (@ajflax) January 16, 2026

This is why many fans are warming up to the idea of a salary cap and salary floor system. It is what we see in the NBA, NFL and NHL. This system works well also. We see non-traditional markets succeed in a way that would be impossible to pull off in the MLB. In this system, the Kansas City Royals creating a dynasty would be basically impossible.

Some fans argue that any owner can spend like the Dodgers. Maybe that was true five or six years ago, but this just ignores the economic reality of the situation now. Including the luxury tax, the Dodgers expenses are over half a billion at this point. There are only a handful of teams that could sustain that level of spending.

Some fans may not want to admit it, but the MLB has a serious Dodgers problem. Their insane TV deal, access to international markets and hedge fund led ownership group gives them a situation other teams cannot compete with. This is fun for Dodgers fans, but a real bummer for the other 29 fanbases.

However, the Dodgers are not the only problem the MLB is going to have to deal with. The Washington Nationals represent the other side of the coin. After winning the World Series in 2019 with a top 10 payroll, Nationals ownership suddenly stopped spending money.

It has gotten to the point where the Nats are one of the most frugal teams in all of baseball. On the surface, it appears as if Nats ownership has totally checked out. That is a problem and is alienating the fanbase. Since the 2020-21 offseason, the Nats have not given out a free agent contract worth more than $15 million. This is honestly a slap in the face for fans.

The largest free agent contracts the Nats have handed out since the 2020-21 offseason:

Nelson Cruz: 1 yr, $15MM (2022)
Trevor Williams: 2 yr, 13 MM (2023)
Brad Hand: 1 yr, $10.5MM (2021)
Kyle Schwarber: 1 yr, $10MM (2021)
Michael Soroka: 1 yr, $9MM (2025)

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) December 19, 2024

A salary floor is needed in this sport. As smart as teams like the Brewers and Rays are, they will never overcome the financial firepower of the Dodgers. Even the bigger market teams are struggling to keep up with the financial Goliath that is the Los Angeles Dodgers.

When the Nats and Dodgers take the field for the Nationals home opener, there will be 14 players making at least $10 million. All 14 of them will be wearing Dodgers blue. This is just an example of a system that is completely broken.

When the Nationals play their home opener against the Dodgers in 2026, the teams will combine to have (barring more moves) 14 players on their active rosters making at least $10 million per year.

(The Dodgers will have all 14 of them)

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) January 16, 2026

Forget about owners vs players for a second, this system is not in the best interest of the consumer. Baseball is built on the backs of the fans. Right now, the system is not working for the fans. Only three or four teams have any chance to grab the real free agents. We pretty much know who will win the World Series already.

The CBA is looming like a dark shadow over the league right now. Nobody is happy with the status quo at the moment and there is a real appetite for change among fans. Owners will be fighting for a salary cap, and for the first time in recent memory, the fans will be behind them.

However, a salary cap simply will not work without a floor. The Dodgers are not the only problem here. Teams like the Nationals are just as big of an issue. The Nationals are not a small market club, but ownership is spending like that. They have thrown in the towel. This is not only bad for Nats fans, but also the sport.

A work stoppage is coming after this season. Hopefully the fans are considered in these negotiations. I have my doubts because the more likely scenario is the owners and players fighting for their own interests. As the MLB grows as a financial entity, it feels like the fans are being left behind.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...rs-washington-nationals-both-problems-for-mlb