Last thing on Dion's mind was being traded to Nationals

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PHILADELPHIA – Left-hander Will Dion had one thing on his mind when he woke up the morning of the Trade Deadline: taking a bus ride to Syracuse, N.Y., with his teammates on the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.

Not being traded.

“Zero shot,” Dion said. “Wouldn't even cross [my mind].”

Yet the next day, Dion was reflecting in a different clubhouse, in a different uniform, with an opportunity to pitch in the Major Leagues for a different organization.

“It’s been quite a few 24 hours,” he said.

Dion was one of four players acquired by the Nationals from the Guardians’ organization on Monday in the Foster Griffin deal. The Nats also received fellow left-hander Josh Hartle (now ranked as their No. 28 prospect), right-hander Kendeglys Virguez and outfielder Nick Mitchell.

Dion, 26, was drafted by Cleveland in the ninth round of the 2021 Draft out of McNeese State. He envisioned his May 26 debut as being the first chapter in his Major League career with the Guardians. It turned out to be a glimpse into his future; Dion’s big league debut was against the Nationals.

“My first batter was taller than me, James Wood,” the 5-foot-10 Dion said. “He was taller than me on the mound. That guy's a monster.”

This season, Dion made 12 relief appearances at the Major League level (4.58 ERA, 19 2/3 innings) and another 21 in Triple-A (5-0, 3.62 ERA, 37 1/3 innings). There was an appeal to Dion’s complete résumé – he had made 87 starts in his first five seasons in pro ball, too.

“Early on, we’ll probably use him out of the bullpen – one to two innings,” said manager Blake Butera, who noted Dion also could be utilized as an opener. “But the thing that’s great about Will is he was a starter most of his career in the Minor Leagues. … [He said,] ‘I feel pretty comfortable being able to do whatever’s asked, because I’ve always pitched, whether a starter or length, up until this year.’ He’s able to provide whatever we need.”

Butera also understands what kind of pitcher the Nationals are getting with Dion on the mound. Like Butera, Dion is from Louisiana. Dion joked that their geographic similarity has them “bonded by blood.” Butera remembers Dion “shoved against us” when Butera was managing the High-A Charleston RiverDogs versus the Lynchburg Hillcats.

“[Louisiana players] are very competitive,” Butera said. “... They're not really going to get rattled very often. I think it goes back to just how big baseball is, especially college baseball, in Louisiana. … I just don't think he's going to be afraid. That's what I saw a few years ago in the Minor Leagues, and that's what I saw when he pitched against us.”

After Dion was told he was traded to the Nationals, he still had 4 1/2 hours left on his bus ride to Syracuse. Dion had time to say goodbye to his teammates, make phone calls to those close to him and even watch a movie. On Tuesday morning, he drove a rental car the four-hour scenic route to Philadelphia to meet his new team at Citizens Bank Park.

“They’ve made changes, I think, for the better,” said Dion. “This is an organization that's up and coming, and I think it’s going to be a good organization. They just keep getting better in every aspect, so I'm excited.”