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Merry Christmas to all and to all happy holidays!
As we wake up this morning to see what new things from our personal wish lists Santa left under the tree, there are still plenty of things on the Nationals’ wish list that need to be checked off before the start of the next season.
To be sure, it has been a busy offseason for the Nats. Paul Toboni was hired as the new president of baseball operations at the end of the regular season. He has made numerous hires to fill out his restructured front office, including Anirudh Kilambi as the general manager to work directly below him.
Blake Butera was named the eighth full-time manager in club history. And at the ripe age of 33, he’s by far the youngest. He’s been working to fill out his coaching staff, which we know includes the return of Sean Doolittle.
Toboni has made some of his first roster moves since taking over the Nats as well. He traded left-hander Jose A. Ferrer to the Mariners for top catching prospect Harry Ford and right-hander Isaac Lyon.
Jake Bennett was traded to Toboni’s former team, the Red Sox, in exchange for fellow minor league pitcher Luis Perales.
Left-hander Foster Griffin was signed to a major league deal after a successful stint in Japan, while a handful of other players have been signed to minor league deals with invites to spring training, including first baseman and local product Matt Mervis.
And Toboni and Co. selected seven players in the Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings, restocking the farm system.
While a lot has been done, there is still more to do ahead of pitchers and catchers reporting to West Palm Beach in February.
The outfield is crowded with young potential and most of the infield is set. But the Nationals do not have a sure-thing at first base. The current options on the roster are Andrés Chaparro, or giving backup catcher Riley Adams or second baseman Luis García Jr. a look at the corner spot. Plus, a handful of prospects and Mervis.
Toboni would likely want to add to the rotation, too. MacKenzie Gore and Cade Cavalli may be the only sure things among the starters, but the lefty is still at the center of a lot of trade rumors around the league. Griffin may be assured a rotation spot based on his salary, but he hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2022.
Trevor Williams, the 33-year-old veteran of the group, is returning from an internal brace procedure in July. Brad Lord could be a bullpen piece. Jake Irvin and Mitchell Parker need to earn their spots after disappointing seasons. Andrew Alvarez, while impressive in five September starts, is still developing. And Josiah Gray and DJ Herz are coming back from their respective Tommy John surgeries.
If Gore is traded, that would open a glaring hole in the rotation. The same is true for CJ Abrams in the infield. If Toboni decides to trade Gore and/or Abrams, does he look to get a haul of top prospects in return or more major league-ready players?
While the bullpen has plenty of options, there are few proven arms. And by trading away Ferrer, there’s no clear favorite to be the closer.
Cole Henry may be given the opportunity in camp after a strong rookie season, his first after a full-time shift to a reliever. But will Toboni look to give Butera a low-cost option with more experience and take some pressure off the 26-year-old Henry?
And there are sure to be more things on Toboni’s wish list for behind-the-scenes equipment as he tries to revamp the Nationals’ whole organization. He confirmed at the Winter Meetings he was able to purchase new player development technology. What else might he need to capitalize on the Nats’ young talent?
There is still time to accomplish all of these things and more before the start of the new season. But we are past the halfway point of the offseason, so the wish list will hopefully start shrinking soon.
* On a personal note, I hope everyone is having a very happy and safe holiday season! Thank you for your engagement and support all year long. We couldn’t do this without you!
