The Nationals didn’t need to wait for the Winter Meetings to begin on Monday in Orlando to make a notable trade.
The Nats acquired catcher Harry Ford (MLB’s No. 42 prospect) and right-hander Isaac Lyon from the Mariners in exchange for lefty Jose A. Ferrer, who had been Washington’s closer in the second half of the season, on Saturday.
This marked Paul Toboni’s first trade as Nationals president of baseball operations.
TRADE DETAILS
Mariners acquire: LHP Jose A. Ferrer
Nationals acquire: C Harry Ford (No. 2 prospect), RHP Isaac Lyon (unranked)
The acquisition of Ford adds a catcher who does not become a free agent until 2032 to a Nationals catching dynamic that has faced uncertainty.
Starting catcher Keibert Ruiz, who signed an eight-year contract in Spring Training 2023, was sidelined during last season by concussions. The Nationals expect him to be ready for camp, but his availability will have to be determined. Washington also signed backup catcher Riley Adams to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration last month.
In a Mariners organization headlined by MVP finalist catcher Cal Raleigh, Ford played most of last season in Triple-A. He batted .283 with 18 doubles, 16 homers, 74 RBIs and seven stolen bases with a .408 on-base percentage, .460 slugging percentage and 19.1% strikeout rate in 97 games in Tacoma. Ford, who was Seattle’s No. 3 catcher, appeared in eight games as a September callup while the Mariners ramped up for their deep postseason run.
The Mariners selected Ford with the 12th overall pick in the 2021 Draft out of North Cobb High School (Ga.). He played for Team Great Britain in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
While the Nats added a potential long-term catcher, the move leaves a big question mark in the bullpen.
Ferrer took over the closer role when Washington sent Kyle Finnegan to Detroit at the Trade Deadline. Ferrer, 25, was 4-4 with a 4.48 ERA and 11 saves in 76 1/3 innings last season. The Nats could explore righty Cole Henry as a closer in 2026, or they could acquire one this offseason.
The Nats did add to the ‘pen in this trade with the 21-year-old Lyon. A 10th-round pick in the 2025 Draft out of Grand Canyon, Lyon pitched 12 1/3 innings with Single-A Modesto this season. He went 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA and 15 strikeouts to three walks. Lyon is the son of former big league pitcher Brandon Lyon.
More insight on this trade is expected from the Nationals at the Winter Meetings.