2025-2026 Offseason Discussion Thread

[Slateman]

that group and variations is why we've been beaten up by lefties the past couple of years (even longer, but this group is 2024 and 2025 except for Adams). I have faith in Crews, and think House could show some power, but as for the rest, I'm want somebody with >100 OPS+. Perfectly content with a free agent in the price range of Hays / Refsnyder / Thomas.

I'll admit that I really want a righty 1B/DH, but there just aren't any in free agency.

Nunez and Chapparo  are both 100+ OPS+ against LHP.

Hays/Thomas are guys you trade nominal prospects for at the deadline. Only reason to sign them is to deal them at the deadline. Would rather give those at bats to long term pieces and save the money for a free agent pitcher.

[Slateman]

I think Gore is the trade candiate this offseason. Abrams has longer on contract and there are still a lot of questions.

Gotta think the Red Sox are high on the list of trade partners. They need a number 2 and ownership has been reluctant to spend big. With all arb and options, they're looking at 200 million (and thats with Bregman opting out). They could (and should) decline the option on Giolito.

We trade Gore to the Red Sox for Tolle, Garcia, and Casas. We can then see if we can flip Garcia to the Reds for Matt Mclain. If nor, we trade Jacob Young to whoever will take him and play Nunez at SS with Crews in CF

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Password and Casas would definitely be available. I don’t know if they would move Tolle. Maybe with Early doing well and Tolle no so much after the call up they would consider Tolle but we'd need a potential 2026 rotation piece coming back. Could sweeten the deal with Young.

[Slateman]

Password and Casas would definitely be available. I don’t know if they would move Tolle. Maybe with Early doing well and Tolle no so much after the call up they would consider Tolle but we'd need a potential 2026 rotation piece coming back. Could sweeten the deal with Young.

Tolle is the only non-negotiable park of that deal.

The Red Sox dont need Young. They have a better version in Cedenna.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Tolle is the only non-negotiable park of that deal.

The Red Sox dont need Young. They have a better version in Cedenna.

you are right, Rafaela is a better Young, but they still need righty outfielders. As for Rafaela, I  don't know if they're will just give him cf full time or have him spend tie in the infield.

[imref]

Nats hiring Justin Horowitz from the Pirates to be an assistant GM. Had been their amateur scouting director.

[Kevrock]

At a glance, seems like a very solid hire.

[Natsinpwc]

He obviously knows how to work cheap!

[Slateman]

Nats hiring Justin Horowitz from the Pirates to be an assistant GM. Had been their amateur scouting director.

For a year.

He previously worked in Boston under Toboni

[imref]

Two years according to a pirates reporter.

[Slateman]

Still, expanding into Fenway South

[varoadking]

Still, expanding into Fenway South

Yup...pretty lazy if you ask me...

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-the-2025-26-free-agent-class-starting-pitcher.html

Chris Bassitt or Merrill  Kelly on a 2 year contract, anyone?

[Slateman]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-the-2025-26-free-agent-class-starting-pitcher.html

Chris Bassitt or Merrill  Kelly on a 2 year contract, anyone?

Two 37 year old? Pass.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Two 37 year old? Pass.

I am thinking price /quality is best at the end of the age curve. Both coming off good seasons. Just want somebody to fill a spot until Clemmey/ Susana/ Sykora are here.

[nobleisthyname]

Gore
Cavalli
Gray
Lord
Alvarez
Irvin
Parker

Herz, Bennett, Clemmey potentially coming up at some point in the season.

The Nats do need at least one more major league quality pitcher, probably two, especially if Gore is traded.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2025/10/25/red-sox-pitchers-mlb-trade-rumors-tarik-skubal/

Mentions Gore in a list that includes  Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Sandy Alcantara, and Hunter Greene. Greene is seen as the most far-fetched. Notes that at the deadline the Sox purportedly offered for Alcantara or Joe  Ryan two of Password, Tolle, and Franklin Arias (under 20 SS who finished in AA seen as their top prospect; follow the link so Sean McAdam's article sourced for the Alcantara offer).

As for Gore, Bowden noted that the Nationals’ decision to hire Red Sox assistant general manager Paul Toboni to be their next general manager could make Boston a natural fit for the lefty.

“He’s so familiar with Boston’s prospect cabinet that I’m sure he’d find a strong return even if he can’t land the team’s very best prospects in a trade,” Bowden wrote.

Gore might not have the results the other pitchers on Bowden’s list do, but there is upside there. He turns 27 in February and has logged a sub-4.00 FIP the last two years despite having a 4.17 ERA this past season. He’s also under team control until 2028.

I would trust Toboni to know the right prospects in the Boston system to ask for if they do deal Gore that way. I just am not sure that Gore will be their target until they exhaust efforts at Skubal, Ryan, Peralta, and some others.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2025/10/25/red-sox-pitchers-mlb-trade-rumors-tarik-skubal/

Mentions Gore in a list that includes  Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Sandy Alcantara, and Hunter Greene. Greene is seen as the most far-fetched. Notes that at the deadline the Sox purportedly offered for Alcantara or Joe  Ryan two of Password, Tolle, and Franklin Arias (under 20 SS who finished in AA seen as their top prospect; follow the link so Sean McAdam's article sourced for the Alcantara offer).

I would trust Toboni to know the right prospects in the Boston system to ask for if they do deal Gore that way. I just am not sure that Gore will be their target until they exhaust efforts at Skubal, Ryan, Peralta, and some others.

Why can't we just pay our guys for once instead of getting excited about other teams prospects we won't see for 5 years?

[Natsinpwc]

Why can't we just pay our guys for once instead of getting excited about other teams prospects we won't see for 5 years?

Circle of death.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Why can't we just pay our guys for once instead of getting excited about other teams prospects we won't see for 5 years?

well, if you are talking Tolle and The Password, they've already debuted in the majors. I don't want Arias because we have MI prospects in the pipeline (perhaps not as highly ranked, but I've got to think that we'll get something out  of at least one of our first round picks the past couple of years.

[imref]

Do it Toboni!

Passan:

The New York Mets and first-base coach Antoan Richardson have not come to terms on a new contract and Richardson is expected to leave the organization, sources told ESPN. Richardson was lauded for his work with Mets baserunners and will seek another job when his contract expires.

[Slateman]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nationals-outright-four-players.html

The Nationals announced that four players have cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Rochester. They are right-handers Eduardo Salazar and Mason Thompson, left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara and catcher CJ Stubbs. Salazar and Thompson have already elected free agency.

[imref]

Can Ogasawara opt out?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

He has a second year on his contract and this is his first outright. Ordinarily I don't think so, but as an older guy from Japan, maybe there's a different rule

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Camerato e-mail blast discusses non-tender decisions.  Had noted Irvin is up for arb but doesn't discuss him as a potential non-tender.

Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?


The non-tender deadline is Nov. 21. The Nationals face an intriguing decision with starting second baseman García. Only 25 years old, he is the longest-tenured member of the team. He earned $4.5 million this season, a figure that is due to increase in arbitration. This year, García batted .252 with a .701 OPS and 16 home runs. He recorded a .987 fielding percentage at second base, and he also got experience at first base. The question is, how does a new front office see García fitting into their future plans and payroll?

Nine-year veteran Alfaro is a top non-tender candidate. The Nats signed Alfaro to a Major League deal on Sept. 2 after backup catcher Drew Millas went on the IL, leaving Riley Adams as the lone available catcher with Keibert Ruiz also sidelined. The 32-year-old hit .256 in 14 games (nine starts).Â