2025-2026 Offseason Discussion Thread

[Slateman]

Mets have just dropped a bunch of their MLB coaches.

https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/eric-chavez-jeremy-hefner-mets-hitting-pitching-coaches-not-returning-in-2026

Hefner could be interesting. Did a lot without a lot of talent.

[varoadking]

So when do we get the good word that the swamp has been drained?

[HalfSmokes]

When they team sale is finalized

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Hefner could be interesting. Did a lot without a lot of talent.

he's a Queens guy, or at least his Uncle Barney was.

But yes. Strung together a staff without any real lead studs.

[imref]

Hefner could be interesting. Did a lot without a lot of talent.

would love to see him manage wearing a smoking jacket

[JCA-CrystalCity]

interesting suggestion - JT Realmuto is  probably looking at a 2 year  contract. While his age doesn't  line up with the Nats next window, the writer suggests the Nats may be the team most in need of an upgrade at catcher. Would a Realmuto signing be sort of like a Pudge signing right before the Nats took off in the 2010s?
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-the-2025-26-free-agent-class-catcher.html

Realmuto has a good shot at a two-year deal as he enters his age-35 season. He’s now in year seven in Philly. Extending that arrangement makes the most sense. If that doesn’t come to pass, he could fit on the Angels, Padres or Rays. The Nationals arguably have the biggest need at the position of any team, but his age might not align with a Washington club that has yet to pull out of the rebuild.

Another suggestion is Victor Caratini. He'd be more  of a split time guy. hit lefties well the past couple of years but that's over just  120 PAs.
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/victor-caratini/14968/splits-tool?position=C&splitArr=1%2C4&splitArrPitch=&autoPt=false&splitTeams=false&statType=player&statgroup=1&startDate=2024-01-01&endDate=2025-11-01&players=&filter=&groupBy=season&wxTemperature=&wxPressure=&wxAirDensity=&wxElevation=&wxWindSpeed=&sort=-1%2C1

A gamble on a bounce back would be Mitch Garver as a righty bat who could DH if he's good.

[Slateman]

Carantini is more in this team's price range

[HalfSmokes]

Carantini is more in this team's price range

Is there any reason to think that the price range will be anything other than league minimum?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Carantini is more in this team's price range

probably. Also, I don't see JT moving from Philly. They would overpay to keep him. I don't think they have a prospect who could  walk in. They already dealt their top catching prospect, who was years away.  Maybe they make a deal for a catcher and move on, but short of that, Realmuto is a realistically their best option as a contender.

[varoadking]

probably. Also, I don't see JT moving from Philly. They would overpay to keep him.

Unless they win it all this year...

[imref]

Carantini is more in this team's price range

seems like he would be a massive upgrade.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

MLBTR is out with its list of players eligible for arbitration and their projected salaries. Nats have 9 players. Of  note are LGJr ($7 million), Gore ($4.7 million), Abrams ($5.6 million), and Jake Irvin ($3.3 million). The rest are all in the $1 - 1.5 million range. Toughest decision I think LGJr and then maybe Irvin. I think the Gore number looks way low for  a guy in his 2nd of 3 rounds of arbitration who has  been an all star. Irvin looks high given that last year, Gore only settled for $2.9 million and Irvin has not been as good heading  into  his 1st round of arb.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2026.html

    Jorge Alfaro (5.160): $1MM
    Luis Garcia Jr. (4.142): $7MM
    Josiah Gray (4.075): $1.35MM
    Mason Thompson (4.022): $1MM
    MacKenzie Gore (4.000): $4.7MM
    Riley Adams (3.171): $1.5MM
    CJ Abrams (3.130): $5.6MM
    Jake Irvin (2.152): $3.3MM
    Cade Cavalli (2.141): $1.3MM

[Slateman]

If they pick up all of those and fill out the rest of the roster with league minimum, thats about an 85 million payroll without Strasburg's contract.

[imref]

Everyone is a lock except Garcia and Irvin.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

That 3.171 for Adams service time is a day short of 4.
I think there could be a decision on Adams, too.

If you look at the projected arb amounts on all teams, the comparable for Irvin is Bailey Falter.

The list places a premium on health. Luis Gil is only $2.1 million.

[imref]

That 3.171 for Adams service time is a day short of 4.
I think there could be a decision on Adams, too.

If you look at the projected arb amounts on all teams, the comparable for Irvin is Bailey Falter.

The list places a premium on health. Luis Gil is only $2.1 million.

Adams is a cheap catcher at $1.5 million. I think he stays.

[imref]

2B options if we move on from Garcia Jr. at 2nd:

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

I'm not sure anyone on this list is an upgrade over Garcia Jr. Maybe the best approach is to bring back Garcia for another year and hope Willits or King can step in in 2027? Or bring back Rosario and platoon him with Garcia Jr.? Or let Nuñez start?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

2B options if we move on from Garcia Jr. at 2nd:

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

I'm not sure anyone on this list is an upgrade over Garcia Jr. Maybe the best approach is to bring back Garcia for another year and hope Willits or King can step in in 2027? Or bring back Rosario and platoon him with Garcia Jr.? Or let Nuñez start?

or dump Garcia and play Abrams at 2nd. Plan on playing Nunez at SS unless somebody falls to you. Instantly upgrades your pitching.

Miguel Rojas on a short deal that buys a year or two might not be  a bad signing, either.

[Slateman]

Either you gamble on Garcia at first or just non-tender him. Move Abrams to 2B, play Nunez at SS. You can bring back PDJ as the backup infielder. You could just play Yepez or Chapparo at 1B next year and save the money. Have Glasser and Morales share reps at 1B in Triple A.

Between Hassell and Franklin, you have enough outfield coverage and platoon capability. You could even see if a team like the Yankees  or Giants would give you pitching prospects for Young.

You can bring back Alfaro or Riley, but not both. Frankly, I'd bring back neither. They both suck and I think Millas is the best catcher on the team. The only concern is will Ruiz be healthy enough to play catcher. If he is, hes playing. You may as well because youre paying him anyway and hes not blocking anyone.

Take whatever money you can and get a real starting pitcher.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The team just cannot go with the 2 worst MIs on defense next year.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

As for catcher, Millas deserves 1/3 of the reps.

[Slateman]

The team just cannot go with the 2 worst MIs on defense next year.

Agreed.

As for catcher, Millas deserves 1/3 of the reps.

At least.

[IanRubbish]

Garcia is not worth $7 million and has no trade value.  He needs to be non-tendered and then can sign for 1 year/1-2 million as a free agent with someone else.

[IanRubbish]

As for catcher, Millas deserves 1/3 of the reps.

At least that many.

[Slateman]

Id be willing to non-tender Irvin for that much. Add it to the pool for getting a starting pitcher in free agency