Nats avoid arb with 4, appear set for hearing with Cavalli 

The Nationals avoided salary arbitration with four of their remaining five arbitration-eligible players on Thursday.

They agreed to one-year contracts with second baseman Luis García Jr. ($6.875 million), shortstop CJ Abrams ($4.2 million), right-hander Jake Irvin ($2.8 million) and left-hander MacKenzie Gore ($5.6 million). MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported the figures.

The team did not come to an agreement with righty Cade Cavalli. Per Feinsand, Cavalli filed at $900,000, and the Nationals filed at $825,000. A hearing will be scheduled with a panel of arbitrators to determine Cavalli’s salary for this season. The two sides can negotiate a contract up to the hearing date.

Cavalli, 27, returned to the Major Leagues in August after missing three years because of Tommy John surgery. A healthy Cavalli made 10 starts down the stretch, going 3-1 with a 4.25 ERA in 48 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs or fewer in eight of those outings. Cavalli had previously made only one start with the Nats: his Major League debut in 2022.

García, the longest-tenured Nationals player despite being just 25 years old, is eyeing a turnaround season in 2026. Following a career-best ‘24 campaign, last year García’s bWAR dropped to 0.4 from 2.2. He slashed .252/.289/.412 with 16 home runs, 66 RBIs and 14 stolen bases, while leading qualified Nats hitters with a .296 average with runners in scoring position.

Abrams, 25, returns for his fourth full season as Washington's starting shortstop. He produced a .257/.315/.433 slash line and a .748 OPS, 35 doubles, five triples, 19 homers, 60 RBIs and 31 stolen bases last season. Abrams recorded more than 30 stolen bases for his third consecutive season and led the National League with a 91.2% stolen-base rate.

Gore, who will turn 27 in February, has drawn trade interest with two years of club control remaining. In his first All-Star season, Gore went 5-15 in 30 starts with a 4.17 ERA and career-high 185 strikeouts in 159 2/3 frames. Gore posted a 10.4 strikeout rate (third in the NL), 1.353 WHIP and 98 ERA+. He joined Hall of Famer Bob Gibson as the only pitchers in AL/NL history with 13 strikeouts and no walks in a scoreless Opening Day outing.

Irvin, who turns 29 during Spring Training, went 9-13 with a 5.70 ERA in 33 starts last season. Across 180 innings, he recorded a 1.428 WHIP and 72 ERA+. Irvin led all pitchers in home runs (38) and earned runs (114) allowed. He was one of only eight pitchers in baseball to make at least 33 starts.

The Nats avoided arbitration earlier this offseason and agreed to one-year contracts with catcher Riley Adams on Nov. 21, and right-hander Josiah Gray on Dec. 12.