While the MLB offseason continues to move closer to its conclusion with Spring Training 2025 kicking off in just under a month, there are still a ton of free agents that have yet to find a new home for next season. Many of those names include some former Washington Nationals, and in this article I will identify 3 beloved former Nationals who are are still unsigned at this point, and what their odds of being signed in the near future might look like.
Max Scherzer
Out of all 3 names on this list, this one is probably the one that deserves the term "beloved" the most, as the 40-year-old righty should one day go into Cooperstown with a Curly W on his hat. If you recall, the Nationals actually signed Max Scherzer to a contract a decade ago tomorrow, inking him to a 7-year $210 million deal back in 2015 that ended up being one of the best contracts in the history of professional sports.
He signed a 3-year, $130 million deal with the New York Mets in 2021, and that one did not age nearly as well as his deal with the Nationals did. There is no doubt that Max is nearing retirement, and due to his body beginning to break down, it is truly fair to question if he should remain a starting pitcher at this point of his career. If he were to be open to a bullpen move, perhaps the Nationals would have some interest?
Scherzer will definitely land a 1-year deal from some team out there, but for what role it will be for remains to be seen. I do think that he could be a very serviceable reliever at this stage of his career, and perhaps a team that has never won a World Series will sign him, given that he's helped 2 franchises in the Nationals and Rangers win their first ever title.
Kyle Finnegan
Kyle Finnegan had an up-and-down tenure with the Nationals, but it would be hard to be anything but thankful for all that he contributed to the club. While he was never a shutdown reliever where you could turn the game off in the 9th inning because it was a guaranteed save, he was fairly reliable, and his gaudy save totals over the last couple years reflect that.
I do expect Finnegan to find a deal before Spring Training, and I would guess that it would be for a closing role. A reunion with the Nationals could still be possible, but with the team signing Jorge López and already having Jose A. Ferrer, who could possibly be the next closer, it is unclear whether or not the team would consider bringing him back.
Michael A. Taylor
The final name here is a little bit different as Michael A. Taylor has been a free agent for a bit longer than a lot of other names. He had a rocky 2024 season after signing a 1-year, $4 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates last offseason, ultimately resulting in his release from the club in September after he hit below the Mendoza Line.
He has always been a glove-first outfielder who won a Gold Glove Award with the Kansas City Royals back in 2021, and any team that might be interested in signing him will know that as well. His defense and baserunning has never been an issue, but even dating back to his time on the Nationals he has had trouble with consistency at the plate.
Going into 2025, I could easily see him getting an MiLB deal at this stage and attempting to make a roster out of Spring Training. If he does get a big league deal, it will definitely be a 1-year deal for a smaller amount, and we will be keeping tabs to see where he ends up.
Do you want the Nationals to bring any of these names back? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.