The Nationals are in contract extension talks with their ace, right-hander Cade Cavalli, per a source. The team has not yet confirmed. Robert Murray first confirmed the discussions.
Cavalli, 28, is under contract with the Nationals until 2030. But after missing nearly three years because of a series of injuries, Cavalli has dominated in his first full season in the Major Leagues.
Cavalli is 12-5 with a 3.12 ERA in 164 2/3 innings across 31 starts this season. His 194 strikeouts rank fourth among NL pitchers. He also ranks eighth in strikeout-to-walk rate (4.04), ninth in WHIP (1.17) and 10th in opponents’ batting average (.233). Looking further at his Statcast numbers, Cavalli ranks in the 99th percentile in breaking ball run value (14).
The Nationals have not signed a player to a contract extension since catcher Keibert Ruiz signed an eight-year, $50 million deal during Spring Training 2023.
When it comes to adding pitchers to their rotation, the Nationals have signed shorter-term deals in recent years and promoted from within their farm system (Cavalli was a 2020 Draft pick). The last starting pitcher to sign a deal beyond three years was Stephen Strasburg’s then-record-breaking seven-year, $175 million extension following the 2019 World Series.