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.

At the 2023 Trade Deadline on Tuesday, shortstop CJ Abrams appeared in his 99th game of the season and southpaw MacKenzie Gore prepared for his 22nd start the following day.

It was a far different scenario than they were in one year ago, when they were part of the blockbuster Juan Soto trade between the Nationals and Padres.

“It’s flown by,” Gore said Tuesday afternoon. “It’s just crazy. It shows you how much can happen in one year.”

Talks of a potentially massive deal had swirled leading up to last year’s Deadline. Abrams tried to not pay attention to the buzz in his rookie season, but noted, “It’s kind of hard not to, it was kind of stressful.”

On Aug. 2, 2022, Gore arrived early to Petco Park ahead of a doubleheader to rehab an elbow injury. Abrams was still at home preparing for the games. Then the eight-player trade was completed. Like that, Gore was on his way to meet the Nationals on the road in Philadelphia and Abrams was heading across the country to join Triple-A Rochester for a few weeks.

“[I was] just kind of in shock,” said Gore, 24. “That was a huge trade.”

Said Abrams, 22, “I heard a lot. I still was a little surprised … I just kind of went with it, just tried to stay positive through it all.”

The Nats acquired Abrams and Gore -- along with prospects James Wood (Washington’s No. 1 prospect, No. 4 overall), Robert Hassell III (Washington’s No. 5, No. 88 overall) and Jarlin Susana (Washington's No. 6) -- to be key players in their next chapter.

“It seems like yesterday,” said manager Dave Martinez. “They both have matured a lot. I think they’re starting to grow and understand who they could be. We’ve seen it a lot because CJ plays every day, but every five days you watch MacKenzie pitch and I think every day he’s getting better.”

Gore spent the remainder of the 2022 season rehabbing, and he joined the Nats starting rotation in Spring Training. He is 6-8 with a 4.42 ERA through his first 21 starts. Gore ranks sixth among NL pitchers in strikeouts per nine innings (minimum of 100 frames) with 10.53.

“Now it’s just all about getting better and performing,” said Gore. “But we’re definitely moving in the right direction here, and I feel like it’s been pretty obvious just with everybody here. I think everybody’s kind of made a step forward from a year ago than wherever they were.”

Among those who have grown is Abrams, who played 38 games in the Minors and 90 games in the Majors last season. As the leadoff hitter since July 7, he is batting .345 with three doubles, one triple,

three home runs, nine RBIs, 20 runs, seven walks and 14 stolen bases. Abrams also set a Nationals single-season team record (2005-present) with 22 consecutive stolen bases without being caught.

“[A year ago,] I could have thought it would happen,” said Abrams. “Anything can happen as long as you believe in it.”

This time last season, Abrams and Gore were entering a new phase of their young careers. As the Nationals explored the trade market leading up to Tuesday’s Deadline, they were being factored in as players to build around.

“The future’s bright for both those guys, and I’m excited that they’re going to be here for a long time,” said Martinez. “It’s good to have those guys. We’ve got two good ones there, and I can’t wait for these other guys to come up and show what they can do.”