Not really arguing about the importance of development with you, but that graph shows only 3 of the teams of the 12 playoff teams giving half their roster spots to draft or developed guys. 7 of the 12 were 6 or more players via free agency. 4 of the teams had over half their roster acquired through trade. I'll guess a good chunk of the NYY were trades where draft / developed guys were used to acquire players. Rays and SD have very few guys who were home grown. I'll guess Preller dealt prospects and TB churned guys off the major league roster for other teams prospects.
As for the Nats, a hypothetical 2025 roster of with Hassell, Ruiz, Abrams, Gore, Gray, maybe Wood, Adams or Millas, and thomas potentially still around would have 5-8 players off recent trades. Mason Thompson, maybe Carrillo, maybe a few others in the bullpen.
Trading/waiver wire is part of development.
