2024 Record: 71-91
General Manager & President of Baseball Operations: Mike Rizzo (Entering year 16)
Manager: Dave Martinez (Entering year 8)
Notable Offseason Acquisitions: Jorge Lopez (1 year 3 Million), Amed Rosario (1 year 2 Million), Josh Bell (1 year 6 Million), Paul DeJong ( 1 year 1 Million), Nathaniel Lowe (Trade)
Finishing just above the Miami Marlins and with the 3rd worst record in the National League the Washington Nationals are looking for a fresh start in 2025. With a pitching staff that was ranked #23 in the 2024 season any help will be a big help. With the team ERA being just over 4 and the offense not helping much as they are ranked #29 overall in the MLB but also ranked #25 for runs scored scoring only 660 runs.
The Nationals had a very quiet offseason with only adding three players to their big league roster, while signing a lot of minor league talent as well. With the signing of Jorge Lopez the Nationals will be looking for the same lockdown closer that he was when he pitched for the Baltimore Orioles in 2022.
With the young talents of James Wood and Dylan Crews expected to get more playing time in the big leagues this season both players will look to make a push to get the Nationals back to where they want to be. James Wood dominated at the big league level last season totaling 78 hits in 295 at bats ending the 2024 season with a batting average of .264 right around the league average.
Another player who can be scary for any opposition would be CJ Abrams who in 2024 had a modest season, finishing with 20 home runs and 65 RBI’s or 65 runners brought in to score Abrams was a danger that all pitchers had to watch out for at the dish.
To round it all out the Nationals added Paul DeJong to back up CJ Abrams at the Shortstop position. The former Royal and Cardinal played in the gives the Nationals some postseason experience but also gives the team a veteran in the infield. With the young age of the team having any veteran knowledge will greatly boost the confidence of the Nationals team who are still in a rebuilding phase since the 2019 World Series win over the Houston Astros.
The first base position has a lot of depth with both Josh Bell and Nathaniel Lowe being able to play the position at the Major League level. Lowe who was part of the 2023 World Series win with the Texas Rangers was traded to the Washington Nationals during the offseason for Robert Garcia. The former gold glove award winner finished the 2024 season with 1080 chances to make a play with only 5 errors. With a fielding percentage of .995 it is safe to say that the Nationals have a very good first baseman.
With the young core of Dylan Crews, James Wood, and CJ Abrams mixed with the veteran talent of Paul DeJong, Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Bell and Jorge Lopez the Nationals may not have had a dominant team in the past but, National fans should look forward to the season with a lot to take away with however the season goes.
