What's ahead for Nats at Winter Meetings?

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The Nationals will address their 2025 season needs next week at the Winter Meetings, taking place Monday-Wednesday in Dallas.

Washington finished 71-91 for the second season in a row. Heading into 2025, its young core will have another season (for some, their first) of Major League experience to continue their development and growth.

This offseason, it remains to be seen whom the Nationals will acquire to add to their young group and what the lengths of those contracts will be.

Key events

• Sunday: HOF Classic Baseball Era Committee results released
• Tuesday: MLB Draft Lottery
  
• Wednesday: Rule 5 Draft

Club needs

• Corner infield: The Nationals have vacancies to fill at first and third base. They declined their mutual option on veteran Joey Gallo at first base, where Andrés Chaparro and Juan Yepez will return to vy for playing time. At the hot corner, José Tena impressed after he was acquired at the Trade Deadline. With veteran utility player Ildemaro Vargas becoming a free agent, Tena likely will see more playing time at third. But Washington could pursue more experience at both positions, with veterans like Christian Walker, Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman among the top free agents.

• Bullpen: Jacob Barnes became a free agent after the season, and the Nats non-tendered All-Star closer Kyle Finnegan and Tanner Rainey in November. That leaves 34-year-old Derek Law as the oldest pitcher in a young bullpen that does not have a closer. Southpaw Jose A. Ferrer has shown late-inning potential in his early career, but the close-knit ’pen still is likely to see several new faces added this offseason.

Potential trade candidates

Finnegan was the Nationals’ biggest trade candidate prior to being non-tendered. Law is likely to garner interest as a proven veteran on an expiring deal, although the Nats have been active in such trades at the Deadline and not the offseason.

Prospects to know
Outfielder Robert Hassell III, the Nationals’ No. 13 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is projected to join the young outfield this season. Acquired from the Padres in the 2022 blockbuster Juan Soto deal, Hassell battled injuries early in his career. He had a standout Arizona Fall League, was added to the 40-man roster and will be in big league camp for the second year in a row.

Right-hander Brad Lord (No. 30) is on track to debut with Washington in 2025. Lord went 10-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 25 starts last season. He led Nats Minor Leaguers in ERA, opponent’s batting average and win percentage, and ranked second in wins, WHIP, strikeouts, innings pitched and starts.

Rule 5 Draft
The Nationals did not protect their No. 25 prospect, shortstop Kevin Made, from the Rule 5 Draft. Made signed with the Cubs for $1.5 million in 2019 before he was traded to the Nats in the ‘23 Jeimer Candelario deal. Made hit .220 with 18 doubles, two home runs, 32 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 93 games between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg last season.

The Nationals, who selected right-hander Thaddeus Ward in 2022 and infielder Nasim Nuñez in ’23, are likely to explore their options again in the Rule 5 Draft.

Burning question

How big will the club go in free agency?

With a young core in place and Patrick Corbin’s six-year, $140 million contract off the books, the Nats have both a foundation and financial flexibility this winter. Washington could enhance its roster with a veteran player who brings experience and leadership to provide insight to players such as club top prospect Dylan Crews (also the No. 1 prospect in baseball) and James Wood, and adds offensive power to a lineup that has struggled with run production. The Nats have most recently added to their roster with short-term Major League contracts and Minor League deals, but they could explore larger-scale options to build around their youth.