Most significant stories of 2023: A new trade deadline approach

We’ve reached the final week of the year, so it’s time to look back at the Nationals’ most significant stories of 2023. We begin the series today with the team’s approach to this season’s trade deadline …

Some of the most significant days of the 2021 and 2022 calendar years for the Nationals came at the trade deadline, when Mike Rizzo made franchise-altering decisions by dealing away stars Max Scherzer, Trea Turner and Juan Soto (plus a bunch of other veterans) and kick-started a roster overhaul with the acquisition of a host of prospects.

When it came time for the 2023 trade deadline, the Nats knew things would be different. The question was how different.

There was no superstar to be dealt this time. There was one obvious veteran on an expiring contract who had value to contending clubs: Jeimer Candelario. They hoped there would be others in the form of Corey Dickerson, Dominic Smith and Carl Edwards Jr., but the first two were ineffective and the latter was injured.

So the real dilemma at this deadline involved players who weren’t veterans and weren’t on expiring contracts but might still be coveted by contenders. The two names who stood out in that regard: Lane Thomas and Kyle Finnegan.

Both were in the midst of a good season. Both were under contract through the 2025 season. Both could, theoretically, be part of a winning team in D.C. before then. But what did management think?

The answer came during a 24-hour period between July 31 and Aug. 1. Candelario was traded to the Cubs for two prospects (including promising left-hander D.J. Herz), but everyone else stayed, a show of faith in Thomas and Finnegan from the front office.

“Those are two guys we feel very good about,” general manager Mike Rizzo said shortly after the deadline passed. “We’re very high on both of them. They’re good players, but more importantly, they’re great guys in the clubhouse. They’ve both become leaders in the clubhouse. When you’re building a young foundation like we are here, you’ve got to sprinkle in some good, veteran players. And those two guys are good players. (Potential trades) never reached the bar we set for each player.”

It represented something of a change of direction for the Nationals. Or, at least, a small acknowledgement the rebuild had entered a new phase.

The goal posts no longer are three-plus years down the road. They’re coming into closer view. And that means players on the roster now could still be viewed as pieces of a winning roster within the next two years.

Thomas and Finnegan may not be the centerpieces of a potential 2025 playoff team. But they certainly could be complementary pieces, with Thomas joining Dylan Crews and James Wood in a talented outfield and Finnegan perhaps setting up a yet-to-be-acquired closer (or maybe even Hunter Harvey, should he stay healthy and effective enough to ascend to that role on a permanent basis).

“I hope they see it that way, because they’re a huge part of our success,” manager Davey Martinez said. “Both of those guys. They’ve been so good for us.”

The real proof, of course, will come next summer. When the 2024 trade deadline arrives, how will the Nationals approach it? Will they still be in sell mode? If so, could Thomas and/or Finnegan be on the block?

Or will they finally be in a position either to stand pat, or maybe even add?

“When we started this, we had a plan,” Martinez said. “And obviously, part of the plan is getting some guys here that we thought, if possible, we could get some younger players for. That’s part of it. But our plan is to get younger, give our young guys an opportunity to come up here and play. And as we move forward, watch these guys develop. So far, so good. …

“The plan seems to be progressing. And progressing quite quickly. I don’t think we’re that far off.”