Now we’re having fun: 2025 Nats Roster

[Senatorswin]

On the Nationals page there is an article listing the best draft pick by each team from the 2019 draft.

Nationals - Jackson Rutledge

Cubs - DJ Herz

Padres - CJ Abrams

[JCA-CrystalCity]

On the Nationals page there is an article listing the best draft pick by each team from the 2019 draft.

Nationals - Jackson Rutledge

Cubs - DJ Herz

Padres - CJ Abrams

I take it the Cubs had an awful draft.

[Senatorswin]

I take it the Cubs had an awful draft.

It's a nice writeup on DJ. Sounds like he could be something some day.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

LA Rice at District on Deck speculates about 1st base FAs who might be a good fit.
https://districtondeck.com/posts/what-is-the-nationals-long-term-solution-at-first-base-01hzsqdd8vnf

focus is on Rhys Hoskins, Ryan O'Hearn, and Christian Walker.

[IanRubbish]

focus is on Rhys Hoskins, Ryan O'Hearn, and Christian Walker.

If Mini Me wasn't having a love affair with his pennies and nickels, Hoskins would have been a Nat this year on a 2 year contract.   

[Natsinpwc]

If Mini Me wasn't having a love affair with his pennies and nickels, Hoskins would have been a Nat this year on a 2 year contract.

Yes that was kind of a no brainer.  But assumes he would want to play for a losing team. Would have had to outbid the others.

[IanRubbish]

Yes that was kind of a no brainer.  But assumes he would want to play for a losing team. Would have had to outbid the others.

Maybe, will be interesting to see if he exercises his opt out. 

[Count Walewski]

Yeah the 2025 FA class is really disappointing, even frustrating given that this is the time when the Nats should be signing premium FAs. Beyond Soto it reads like the roster of a nursing home. A nursing home in Cooperstown maybe for a few of them, but a nursing home all the same.

In Pete Alonso's second worst offensive season (2023) he still hit 46 homers. In his worst offensive season (2020) he still OPS'ed .817. He would be a tremendous upgrade at 1B. He won't cost quite as much as elite talent at other positions. This is now a Nationals signing Pete Alonso stan account.

[Senatorswin]

Word is the Chisox are willing to shop Fedde. He's under contract on a 2 year $15 million dollar deal. Package Rutledge and whoever in a deal for a solid starter next year.

[Slateman]

Word is the Chisox are willing to shop Fedde. He's under contract on a 2 year $15 million dollar deal. Package Rutledge and whoever in a deal for a solid starter next year.

Lol, Rutledge is a throw in piece for Fedde. You'd have to part with Morales.

[Senatorswin]

Lol, Rutledge is a throw in piece for Fedde. You'd have to part with Morales.

Fedde is a 31 year-old with 2.5 months of good, not great, pitching in his career. I would like to have him in my rotation but I would not give up my number 4 prospect for him.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

He speaks Korean which is kinda like having a 4th pitch

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Fedde is a 31 year-old with 2.5 months of good, not great, pitching in his career. I would like to have him in my rotation but I would not give up my number 4 prospect for him.

I wouldn't mind a similar contract to add vet depth to the rotation, but I wouldn't trade a top-10 prospect to acquire such a player. 

I hate the idea of spending big money on long-term free agent SP contracts.  Most pitchers are already late 20s or 30+ when they hit free agency, and those deals too often turn out to be disasters (Strasburg/Corbin).  We should be looking to compete in 2025, but not at an "all-in" level.  We should be building for a long-term window built on all the young talent acquired the past few years.

With the rotation, we could roll with Gore, Irvin, Parker, Gray, and Cavalli.  Herz has shown some promise and might have a chance to stick as a starter, so there is the start of some depth with him.  I wouldn't mind assessing these guys more early in 2025 and if needed at the 2025 deadline, make a move for a SP.

[Section214]

I've decided I want Freddy Peralta and Ryan O'Hearn.

Oh and Juan Soto. That will go nicely.

[Slateman]

Fedde is a 31 year-old with 2.5 months of good, not great, pitching in his career. I would like to have him in my rotation but I would not give up my number 4 prospect for him.

Pitching goes for a premium at the deadline. Fedde is worth way more than a guy who might be a decent middle reliever.

[imref]

Why not just trade the White Sox for Drew Thorpe instead (he's already been traded for Cease and Soto).

[IanRubbish]

Word is the Chisox are willing to shop Fedde. He's under contract on a 2 year $15 million dollar deal. Package Rutledge and whoever in a deal for a solid starter next year.

Please, no Fedde.  Definitely no Fedde.  Feel like repeating it Rainman style, no Fedde, definitely no Fedde. Not that expensive, but that ship has sailed.  I'll stand with Mini Me on this one, better to start a $750k per year prospect than a $7.5 million a year failed one.  Plus, we have Doo to coach these guys now.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Please, no Fedde.  Definitely no Fedde.  Feel like repeating it Rainman style, no Fedde, definitely no Fedde. Not that expensive, but that ship has sailed.  I'll stand with Mini Me on this one, better to start a $750k per year prospect than a $7.5 million a year failed one.  Plus, we have Doo to coach these guys now.

I'm really hoping that at least 4 slots in the rotation are internally filled. If we go outside for a free agent or a trade target, I want someone who pushes Gore down to #2 in the rotation. I hope there's the money to compete for Burnes.

[nobleisthyname]

I hope there's the money to compete for Burnes.

This off-season is the big question mark for the owners. They absolutely have the money to spend to get a Burnes level FA. The question is if they care to try to be competitive or not. 2025 can't be another coast year or else the rebuild has officially failed. The Nats should be competing for at least 2nd place in the division and a top WC spot. Gore and Abrams are closer to free agency than a lot of fans realize I think.

[IanRubbish]

Gore and Abrams are closer to free agency than a lot of fans realize I think.

Gore is arb eligible next year, and then FA eligible in '28...and he's Boras.

There is no way they can throw away next year, and I'd be surprised if they did. 

[Senatorswin]

Gore is arb eligible next year, and then FA eligible in '28...and he's Boras.

There is no way they can throw away next year, and I'd be surprised if they did.

The Nats are 14th in revenue and 21st in payroll so they should find a first baseman and a good starting pitcher during the offseason.

[rileyn]

The Nats are 14th in revenue and 21st in payroll so they should find a first baseman and a good starting pitcher during the offseason.

And a big, hairy-chested DH

[Count Walewski]

And a big, hairy-chested DH

Somebody like the player Nelson Cruz was BEFORE he joined the Nationals would be great. But who's even on the market like that?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Somebody like the player Nelson Cruz was BEFORE he joined the Nationals would be great. But who's even on the market like that?

Mark Canha. Making $11.5 million this year. Last contract was for 2 years, $26.5 million, and a 2024 option. Not the big hairy chest guy, but a decent hitter. Will be 36 next year, and slipped a bit so far, so there's no need to go long terms and should be signable.

[welch]

And a big, hairy-chested DH

Someone like Winker, who can hit and still play LF some. Like Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui for the 2009 Yankees.