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The Nationals made another under-the-radar roster move Tuesday, claiming utilityman Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Twins. It’s the kind of move that doesn’t garner major headlines, and fan reactions tend to lean more sarcastic than serious.
But it’s the kind of move we should maybe start expecting more regularly from the Nats’ new front office, which seems to be scouring every possible alternative to the traditional free agent market in search of players who can fill out rosters not only at the big league level but the minors as well.
Gasper isn’t close to a high-profile acquisition. He’s 30 years old, he’s taken only 133 MLB plate appearances and he’s produced a measly .445 OPS in the process. He’s a catcher who also plays first base, second base and the outfield. Yeah, he’s not your conventional ballplayer.
What Gasper has done is produce a stout .303/.406/.512 slash line in 490 plate appearances the last three seasons with the Triple-A affiliates of the Yankees, Red Sox and Twins. He appears to own the International League.
And given his ability to play just about anywhere on the field – he’s even pitched three times in the minors – he’s the kind of player who probably won’t have much impact on a major league roster but absolutely could be helpful to a minor league club.
Yes, the Nationals still have holes to fill on their big league roster. But let’s not forget they lost a ton of minor league free agents after the 2025 season and have to fill all those vacancies as well just to field a full squad at Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester.
Perhaps the most important number associated with Gasper: He’s still got two option years left. So while he is taking up a 40-man roster spot for now, the Nats can demote him to Triple-A before Opening Day and have him mentor a bunch of young prospects who are destined for Rochester as well.
It’s a similar acquisition as the team’s previous waiver claim this month: Paxton Schultz. The 28-year-old reliever may get a shot to make the Opening Day bullpen. But if he doesn’t make the club, he can be sent to Rochester as well, with two option years also attached to his name.
Ultimately, the Nationals chose to acquire Gasper and Schultz in exchange for Andry Lara and Sauryn Lao, two right-handers who probably didn’t have much of a future with the organization. It remains to be seen whether Gasper and Schultz do, but worst case they’ll help fill out a Triple-A roster that has even more holes than the MLB roster.
All this after the Nats claimed another player off waivers earlier this winter: Joey Wiemer, a soon-to-be 27-year-old outfielder with good speed and some pop. Unlike Gasper and Schultz, Wiemer is out of options, so that could complicate matters. Like them, he’s another affordable pickup who may or may not help the greater cause.
If any of those three waiver claims does stick, good on the Nationals for finding a diamond in the rough. If none of them do, no harm done.
