With the Washington Nationals season over it’s time to look ahead to free agency. Although the Nats missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season there was a bunch of good that can be taken away from this season.
They finished 77-85 and were in contention to make the playoffs up until around the trade deadline. The offense was a major success all season and Cade Cavalli transformed into a top of the rotation starter. The Nationals locked him down late in the season with a 4-year, $47 million contract extension.
Despite all that success the DH spot in the lineup underperformed all season and I believe the Nationals will be looking for a new shortstop this offseason.
The type of free agents I would like to see the Nationals sign are players that can bring lineup flexibility. James Wood, CJ Abrams, and Daylen Lile are three players that will need rest days throughout the season as they will be asked to carry much of the load. Blake Butera will need to be able to have those guys out of the lineup for a day or two and not lose a ton of production if the Nats want to make the playoffs.
(Note: The reason I have not included any upgrades to the bullpen is because that was previously done. You can read that article by clicking here.)
Shortstop
My basis for the saying there is a need at shortstop is that we learned during the season CJ Abrams will be eventually moving to second base. Frankly, I think everyone can agree with that but because of this, that would open up a hole at shortstop. I have taken into account Eli Willits being ready by the start of the 2028 season at the latest or even someone like Seaver King getting an opportunity at the big-league level as soon as next season, but you cannot sit there and expect that to happen.
Mauricio Dubon
A very consistent player over the years, Mauricio Dubon was traded from the Houston Astros to the Atlanta Braves last offseason and turned in the best year of his career. He finished this season hitting .276 with 28 doubles and 73 RBI's. He has hit at least 20 doubles in each of the last four seasons.
The offensive production is an extra positive because what makes Dubon so valuable is that he can play all over the field. This season for the Braves he played shortstop, third base, left field, and centerfield for the Braves. He is also a two-time Utility Gold Glove winner. The contract that it would take to sign him would be either two or three years for around $10 million annually.
I believe he could be a very nice shortstop for the Nationals in year one of his deal. After that King or Willits would be ready to take over the shortstop position. The remainder of his deal Dubon would be able to move around the field filling in when someone like Daylen Lile or James Wood needs a day off.
Off the field he brings a steady veteran presence to the clubhouse. Dubon has spent years contributing to winning teams such as the Astros and the Braves and would be a nice sounding board for the young Nats hitters to bounce stuff off of.
Designated Hitter
The DH spot was one of the few areas in the lineup that struggled this past season. The Nats had a couple of guys DH throughout the season, but Jose Tena got most of the action logging 114 games. He struggled only being able to muster up a .222 batting average with seven home runs.
Brandon Lowe
Brandon Lowe is coming off a very good year for the Pittsburgh Pirates after being acquired last offseason via a trade. Lowe set career highs in terms of hits with 152 and finished with a 5.4 WAR. He is a great lefty power bat that is known to hit tons of home runs and drive in about 100 runs a season when he is able to stay healthy. At 32 years old Lowe still has a couple of good seasons left him that I think will be helped by him becoming a DH.
The Nats would have to offer him a three-to-four-year deal worth around $70 million total to be in contention for signing him. He can also play second base if needed meaning if the Nationals go through with their plans of moving CJ Abrams there, they would be able to get him off his feet for a day or two by inserting Lowe into that spot.
Let me know in the comments or on X (PaulMcCoy97) what you think of the Nationals adding Mauricio Dubon and Brandon Lowe or who would you like to see the Nats add in free agency.
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