When do you think the Nats will be Competitive for a serious playoff run?

[para]

I think were still 2-3 years away. Soto rumors of signing could move up the date though. One more topic to consider, Could Davey be the one to take us to the promised land again?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

If you mean NLCS or beyond, then I think 2025 is too soon, but let's see what the signings and trades are this offseason. They have some glaring holes, but there's a lot of room to spend and they could do some deals from system depth in the OF especially. That said, the ownership has to commit to spending more. If that's the Lerners of 2012-2020, fine, but if they aren't willing to spend even at MLB median levels, then the Nats don't compete until there's a sale of the team.

[rileyn]

When we have new ownership that will allow Rizzo to go out and get real pieces, not jabronis.

[HalfSmokes]

A few year after the Lerners sell assuming the new owners care

[Natsinpwc]

2026 to make the playoffs. And 2027 to be a serious contender. Depends as others have noted if the owners are willing to spend some.

[imref]

If they spend this offseason then next year.

[English Natsie]

Let's remember that, since 2005, we've had one WS - and prior to that we had something of a reputation as the post-season chokers. So it might be more valid to ask when we shall be contending for possible post-season play, not winnng the whole caboodle, which may be a long time coming...

[varoadking]

Could Davey be the one to take us to the promised land again?

No...lightning struck his dumb ass once...it's not likely to do that again...

We aren't grooming the 2018-2019 Nats roster...not even close to it.  With the cheap-ass Lerners, it's gonna take one helluva lot more than what we have in the system to even get to .500...

[IanRubbish]

Ownership is not just cheap, it's created a highly dysfunctional culture with no accountability and no urgency to fix glaring problems with base running, defense, and especially catching defense.  I predict that the clown show will be firmly in place for next year at least, and as long as Davey and his pals are managing and coaching.

There's a decent chance there'll be a good season here or there where 85-88 wins happens, but given the drag created by the unaddressed boneheaded plays, poor roster decisions, and bad coaching, it won't be a long run.  Remember this team struggled to stay above .500 in 2015 and 2018 with a much stronger and deeper roster than it will have next year. 

[IanRubbish]

To add a point about the importance of culture and org decision making.  The Diamondbacks aren't 17 games over this year, or in the WS last year, if they don't DFA Madison Bumgarner early last season with nearly two years and $34 million left on his contract.  This team would NEVER do that, they'd have kept him around like they've done with Corbin. 

[Slateman]

Team will compete for a WC next season

[HondoKillebrew]

Team will compete for a WC next season

Water closet?

[Slateman]

Water closet?

Wild Card

[readonly]

Need a better coaching staff and consistent infield starters.

[IanRubbish]

Team will compete for a WC next season

Would you actually place a bet on that?

I can understand post-deadline bullpen challenges, but this team has consistently played careless baseball throughout the year.  Which one of the current coaches is going to change that next year? 

[Senatorswin]

Nats will be competing for a Wild Card next year. Especially if Crews is the real deal. We know Wood is and Garcia and Garcia have made tremendous strides the second half. They might be serious contenders in 2 years if the two young fireballers come through in 2026.

[Count Walewski]

If this team does not compete for a wildcard spot in 2025, somebody should be fired.

[Elvir Ovcina]

I'm pessimistic on next year without a couple significant additions.  This year has gone pretty well overall in terms of young players performing better than expected (especially Young, Parker, Irvin) and pitchers mostly not getting hurt. 

[HalfSmokes]

If this team does not compete for a wildcard spot in 2025, somebody should be fired.

2024 will be 5 years with no playoff appearance. Teams that care don't go that long between playoff appearances. 

[Slateman]

If this team does not compete for a wildcard spot in 2025, somebody should be fired.

Yep. All the coaches got a one year extension. Rizzo will be more than willing to eat those and replace them. Just hopping that he's quick on the trigger with Coles.

[OfftheBat]

Depends on what the Lerners do this offseason.

[Smithian]

I can't answer this question. The Nationals have not spent in years. We had reason to think the 2021 blowup was in part to clear payroll and reload, but that didn't happen.

Corbin is dropping $15 million in value from full contract to deferred. Moved Harvey and Thomas before pricy arbitration. Williams and his $7 million is off the books. Arbitration season is just Finnegan. Not sure what Strasburg contract final was, but I imagine they smoothed it over more years, giving some current relief.

With the above names off the books, I think Nationals bring in $40 to $50 million in payroll this summer and still be in the bottom half of payrolls. Or we can embrace being super small market.

This offseason will bring a lot of clarity. No more excuse. Lots of cost controlled pieces all over the diamond, no reason not to add.

If the Nationals decide to add and they're willing absorb some payroll, there will always be clubs wanting to shed salary and the prospect price tag drops a whole lot if you're willing to eat salaries. With the Nationals having what should be salary flexibility and plenty of B-level prospects who could be interesting in trades, Rizzo could do a lot of damage this offseason if the Lerners give him some resources.

[nobleisthyname]

I agree with those saying this offseason will give us the answer. If ownership is willing to spend then the answer is next year. If not, the answer is never until the Lerners sell except perhaps the occasional fluke run IanRubbish has suggested.