Sunshine Squad: 2026 It's a New Dawn

[Count Walewski]

If Daylen Lile keeps playing like he played in September 2025, he's gonna have his number retired one day.

[OfftheBat]

Let's hope we finish North of 70 wins next year 

[Natsinpwc]

So free agency starts today.

Who are we getting?

Schwarber?
Tucker?
Bichette
Ranger Suarez?
Framber Valdez?

Oh I’ll leave now.

[Slateman]

So free agency starts today.

Who are we getting?

Schwarber?
Tucker?
Bichette
Ranger Suarez?
Framber Valdez?

Oh I’ll leave now.

You'll take Zach Eflin and like it

[rbw5t]

How much would Saurez cost?  We need some stability in the rotation. He seems steady and could hopefully be a workhorse that might not cost huge bucks (though probably more than Lerners are willing to pay). He’s the only one on the list that feels like there’s any chance. And if we’re listing people we have no shot at, Alonso is a sensible fit too other than the money.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

How much would Saurez cost?  We need some stability in the rotation. He seems steady and could hopefully be a workhorse that might not cost huge bucks (though probably more than Lerners are willing to pay). He’s the only one on the list that feels like there’s any chance. And if we’re listing people we have no shot at, Alonso is a sensible fit too other than the money.

mlbtr guesstimates Suarez will get 5 years, $115 million, and Alonso will get 4 years, $110.

Link in the offseason thread

[OfftheBat]

So free agency starts today.

Who are we getting?

Schwarber?
Tucker?
Bichette
Ranger Suarez?
Framber Valdez?

Oh I’ll leave now.

 

[imref]

Josh Bell, CJ Stubbs?

[Smithian]

Can we have one thread that isn't nagging and moaning? Just one?

[Smithian]

How much would Saurez cost?  We need some stability in the rotation. He seems steady and could hopefully be a workhorse that might not cost huge bucks (though probably more than Lerners are willing to pay). He’s the only one on the list that feels like there’s any chance. And if we’re listing people we have no shot at, Alonso is a sensible fit too other than the money.

If they're going to spend some money, they could take the Soroka money and Corbin deferral off the book and you're almost at the AAV of a Suarez contract. Would probably need to overpay to get him a bit. But I think an adult in the pitching room would be valuable and he's a workhorse. Willing to take the risk on his declining velocity if he is open to DC. That's a signing I'd like.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

If they're going to spend some money, they could take the Soroka money and Corbin deferral off the book and you're almost at the AAV of a Suarez contract. Would probably need to overpay to get him a bit. But I think an adult in the pitching room would be valuable and he's a workhorse. Willing to take the risk on his declining velocity if he is open to DC. That's a signing I'd like.

Okamoto might be a good fit. Plays  1st and 3rd. Figure Murakami goes to a team that's more typical landing spots for high-end Japanese talent. MLBTR estimates 4 years, $16 milllion AAV. May have problems adjusting to MLB fastballs but good power. #19 on this list: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/2025-26-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

Giolito at 2 years, $16 million AAV is something to think about. There's Littell, but I'm not wowed at the $15 million and below market. Tyler Mahle on a 1 year prove it deeal? Cody Ponce?

[Natsinpwc]

Ranger Suarez really has not pitched a full season as a starter. 157 innings this year and 150 the year before.  Less in 2023.  And his velocity decreased a bit this year. But he sure does know how to pitch and is an excellent fielder.  Probably worth the risk.  I enjoy watching him pitch.

[Natsinpwc]

Cody Ponce looked great in the KBO.

[IanRubbish]

We will never have to watch Hickey stroll out to the mound again, nor witness the results. 

[IanRubbish]

Ranger Suarez really has not pitched a full season as a starter. 157 innings this year and 150 the year before.  Less in 2023.  And his velocity decreased a bit this year. But he sure does know how to pitch and is an excellent fielder.  Probably worth the risk.  I enjoy watching him pitch.

He's going to get somewhere around $150 million.  No chance anywhere near that level of Lernerbucks is available for new pitchers.  Sunshine: You get to enjoy watching Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker, or someone else pitch who won't make it to a top 10 bad contract list.

[Natsinpwc]

He's going to get somewhere around $150 million.  No chance anywhere near that level of Lernerbucks is available for new pitchers.  Sunshine: You get to enjoy watching Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker, or someone else pitch who won't make it to a top 10 bad contract list.

Sure.
Others had discussed so wanted to post that.

[PowerBoater69]

Zuckerman wrote an article speculating about the 2026 payroll, so I looked at how dramatically the Lerners increased payroll when Rizzo took over. I put together a table of projected payrolls if the Lerners increase spending at the same rate as they did after Bowden got crap canned (no wonder people think Rizzo was a genius).

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.federalbaseball.com/general/87564/three-washington-nationals-players-could-thrive-new-regime

Sunshiney article about how Henry, Cavalli, and Crews may benefit from new coaching familiar  with using data.  Improving Henry's command. Helping Cavalli with pitch sequencing and execution and possibly adding a 4th pitch. Working on Crews launch angle and pulling, and cutting back on the spike in his swing and miss.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Cody Ponce looked great in the KBO.

enough for the BJs to offera a 3 year contract.

[Natsinpwc]

enough for the BJs to offera a 3 year contract.

Yup.

[blue911]

enough for the BJs to offera a 3 year contract.

We’ve got enough ponces on this team.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

We’ve got enough ponces on this team.

the fountain of  youth could describe last year's draft class.

[varoadking]

We’ve got enough ponces on this team.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

 

We’ve got enough ponces on this team.

[PowerBoater69]

Grayson Crawford from the Mets is the new "director of pitching", whatever that means. I'm wondering what is the over/under on the total number of teams from which we are hiring coaching and GM staff this off-season. More than half the league? These guys coming in are bringing a lot of knowledge of the players and systems from their prior teams. The Nats are getting a lot smarter.