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As the Nationals enter their first offseason with Paul Toboni as the president of baseball operations, there are key areas of the roster to address. Here are notable dates and decisions to watch this winter.
Which players are free agents?
First baseman/DH Josh Bell, infielder Paul DeJong and right-hander Derek Law are eligible for free agency.
Which players are arbitration-eligible?
Shortstop CJ Abrams, second baseman Luis García Jr., catchers Riley Adams and Jorge Alfaro, left-hander MacKenzie Gore and right-handers Cade Cavalli, Josiah Gray and Jake Irvin are the Nats' arbitration-eligible players.
Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?
The non-tender deadline is Nov. 21. The Nationals face an intriguing decision with starting second baseman García. Only 25 years old, he is the longest-tenured member of the team. He earned $4.5 million this season, a figure that is due to increase in arbitration. This year, García batted .252 with a .701 OPS and 16 home runs. He recorded a .987 fielding percentage at second base, and he also got experience at first base. The question is, how does a new front office see García fitting into their future plans and payroll?
Nine-year veteran Alfaro is a top non-tender candidate. The Nats signed Alfaro to a Major League deal on Sept. 2 after backup catcher Drew Millas went on the IL, leaving Riley Adams as the lone available catcher with Keibert Ruiz also sidelined. The 32-year-old hit .256 in 14 games (nine starts).
Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft, and do they have a crunch for roster spots?
Of the Nationals' top 30 prospects, as ranked by MLB Pipeline, left-hander Jake Bennett (No. 10), outfielder Christian Franklin (No. 12), right-hander Tyler Stuart (No. 28) would need to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft. Unranked right-hander Riley Cornelio, the Nationals' Minor League Pitcher of the Year, is likely to be protected.
The moves need to be made by Nov. 18. The Rule 5 Draft is scheduled to take place on Dec. 10 during Winter Meetings. There will be a crunch for roster spots when players who are currently on the 60-day IL are added back to the 40-man roster following the conclusion of the World Series.
What kind of help do they need and will they be active in free agency? Who might they target?
The Nationals will have to address first base with Bell entering free agency. They could explore the free-agent market in Toboni’s first winter at the helm. Two other options are re-signing Bell or shifting García from second to first base.
Expect the Nats to pursue bullpen arms, too. They could benefit from adding veterans to help the development of young late-inning relievers like Jose A. Ferrer and Cole Henry.
Who might they be willing to trade?
All-Star southpaw Gore’s name entered trade buzz at this year’s Deadline. Expect that to continue to swirl around the 26-year-old Opening Day starter, who does not become a free agent until after the 2027 season. The Nationals likely would need a haul to swap their ace.
The Nats have an abundance of depth in the outfield, and they will face another logjam next season with more outfielders knocking on the door in Triple-A. They divvied up innings among Dylan Crews, James Wood, Jacob Young, Daylen Lile and Robert Hassell III in the second half, but they could clear space this offseason to acquire players at a position of more need.