Nats want Yohandy Morales getting reps at third in 2027. After a September debut at first/DH, he hit .255 with four homers and 10 RBIs in 47 PAs. Blake Butera says a move to third gets his bat in the lineup more. π₯
Nats want Yohandy Morales getting reps at third in 2027. After a September debut at first/DH, he hit .255 with four homers and 10 RBIs in 47 PAs. Blake Butera says a move to third gets his bat in the lineup more. π₯
Nats' record-blown-save bullpen needs help, but internal arms could break out in 2027: Riley Cornelio (25% K rate, 18.1% walks), Yovanny Cruz (~100 mph heat) and Luis Perales (11.45 ERA, elite splitter). Stuff isn't the issue; command is. π₯
Miguel Sime Jr. outpaced expectations in his first year in the Nats' system. A new slider paired with a triple-digit fastball fueled a 41.3% strikeout rate, even at High-A. Control remains the rough edge. π₯
Travis Sykora, arguably the Nats' top pitching prospect, is expected back from Tommy John surgery in 2027. He posted a 2.14 minor league ERA with 208 K in 130.1 IP, but walked 6 in 4.2 Double-A innings. Big upside, big question mark. π²
Former National Corey Dickerson, now the Rays' first-base coach, has a shot at his first World Series ring. He played 50 games for Washington in 2023 (.637 OPS) and replaced Michael Johns, who followed Blake Butera to D.C. as bench coach.
With a lockout looming after the December 2 CBA deadline, the Nationals could make a big move before the freeze. Paul Toboni's aggressive start has fueled speculation, and CJ Abrams is listed by Robert Murray as a possible pre-lockout trade candidate. β³
Ex-Nationals catcher Riley Adams is reportedly set to join the Red Sox on a minor league deal. He hit .273/.389/.506 with 16 homers in Triple-A for Washington this year, then hit minor league free agency. Depth piece, with a power bat. π§
10/22/2019: Juan Soto showed off his power by reaching the train tracks at Minute Maid Park in Game 1 of the World Series for the Nationals.
The Nationals reportedly plan to bring back Blake Butera's entire coaching staff for 2027 after a 77-win season, their best since 2019. The training staff is where the changes land: five members weren't re-signed, and biomechanics resources are reportedly coming. π§
Blake Butera is reportedly bringing back all 12 coaches from his 2026 staff, though five training and strength coaches weren't renewed. The offense earned its continuity; the pitching staff (4.67 ERA, 5th worst) has a "prove it" year ahead. π§
Nats catcher Kevin Bazzell has a front-row seat to Jarlin Susana in the Arizona Fall League and calls him "the best pitcher in the Minors." Susana touched 102.4 mph Wednesday, striking out six over three innings for Salt River. π₯
Brandon Lowe could be the Nats' top free-agent target if they go big on bats. The ex-Pirate hit 35 homers with a .824 OPS and 5.4 bWAR, which might lift an offense leaning hard on Wood and Abrams. π₯ Purely speculative for now.
A District on Deck writer signs off with a personal top five Nationals, including Ian DesmondStephen Strasburg and Drew Storen. Desmond's clutch bat and the Zimmermann no-hitter homer stand out. Strasburg's injury-limited run still has this fan wanting his number retired.
The Nationals are taking cues from the Rays and Brewers' trade-heavy strategies to build a competitive team. Recent trades, despite fan skepticism, aim for long-term success similar to these World Series contenders. Toboni's approach mirrors this model.
James Wood, after a standout season with 30 homers and 21 stolen bases, seeks consistency across 162 games. Despite an oblique strain sidelining him, Wood's focus on refining his approach could push him to dominate even further in 2027. βΎ
Yohandy Morales' role with the Nationals in 2027 remains uncertain despite a standout 2026 at AAA. He impressed in a late MLB call-up, yet his high chase rate and zone contact issues pose questions for his future contributions.
The Nationals are eyeing bullpen reinforcements for the 2027 season, considering lefty Tim Hill among others. Despite a rough 2026, Hill's groundball prowess could rebound with better flyball luck. π§
The Nationals' 2026 season saw an astounding 41 pitchers take the mound. Among the forgettable names was Ken Waldichuk, who struggled in five appearances before undergoing Tommy John surgery. The pitching carousel highlighted DC's challenging year.
Nationals fans are pushing for the team to boost spending this offseason. With MLB's smallest payroll, there's room to sign key rotation and bullpen players. The Lerner family's commitment is in question, but financial flexibility is at its peak. π°
Speculation suggests the Nationals could target free agents like Mauricio Dubon to bolster their offense. With CJ Abrams potentially shifting to second base, a new shortstop could be in the mix. Offseason moves aim to enhance lineup flexibility.