With a young core in place and a fresh leadership group, the Nationals are heading into one of the most pivotal offseasons in recent memory. Free agency may also prove to be momentous for some former Nationals players as well.
Several are poised to cash in and land significant contracts this offseason. Could we see a reunion with any of them in the nation’s capital? Even if not, fans will see their familiar faces in free agency. Here’s a look at three of the biggest names.
Kyle Schwarber
Not often does a 32-year-old designated hitter become one of the most sought-after players in free agency, but Kyle Schwarber isn’t your typical 32-year-old. Coming off a career year with the Phillies, he hit 56 home runs, drove in 132 runs and started all 162 games. He also posted a personal best 4.9 fWAR while serving as Philadelphia’s full-time DH. A three-time All-Star, World Series champion and Silver Slugger, Schwarber has built one of the most impressive résumés in the league.
Nationals fans remember Schwarber’s short but electric stint in D.C. back in 2021, when he launched 16 home runs in an 18-game stretch in June. That run included 12 leadoff homers and a three-homer game against the Mets, making it one of the most memorable power surges in franchise history.
It places Schwarber in rarefied company, as the only other players in MLB history to hit 16 homers in any 18-game span are Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa.
Overall, in just 72 games with the Nationals, Schwarber hit 25 home runs, drove in 53 runs and slashed .253/.340/.570 with a .910 OPS and 2.1 bWAR.
Since then, Schwarber has emerged as one of the most feared sluggers in the league. He’s been in the MVP conversation multiple times and finished second in MVP voting in 2025. He consistently ranks among the league leaders in barrel rate, hard-hit rate and xSLG, reinforcing just how great his bat truly is. He is known for his elite power, high walk rate and strong clubhouse presence. While he doesn’t bring much on defense anymore, he doesn’t have to. Teams know exactly what they’re getting from Schwarber at the plate.
Schwarber should land a deal in the range of four or five years and $130 to $140 million, which would qualify as one of the biggest contracts ever given to a full-time DH. The Phillies have made it clear they want him back, but other teams could be in the mix too. The Reds, for example, might try to lure him home since Schwarber grew up in Ohio.
Lucas Giolito
Lucas Giolito has taken one of the more interesting journeys of any pitcher on the market. A former first-round pick by the Nationals in 2012, Giolito was one of the most hyped arms in baseball. Named the South Atlantic League’s Most Outstanding Pitcher in 2014, he also started the All-Star Futures Game for the U.S. team, showcasing his ace potential.
He made his MLB debut in 2016 for Washington. In his time with the Nationals, Giolito posted a 6.75 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 21.1 innings in six appearances. That offseason, the Nats traded him to the White Sox for outfielder Adam Eaton. While Eaton helped the Nationals win a World Series in 2019, Giolito blossomed into an All-Star in Chicago. He threw a no-hitter in 2020 and delivered very strong seasons between 2019 and 2021.
After struggling in 2022 and 2023, then missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, Giolito bounced back in 2025 with the Red Sox. He posted a 3.41 ERA over 145 innings and helped stabilize Boston’s rotation. From June through the end of the season, he looked even sharper, putting up a 2.51 ERA across more than 111 innings and reestablished himself as a reliable mid-rotation arm.
Some concerns about Giolito remain. His strikeout rate dipped, and he missed the postseason with minor elbow irritation, though his UCL is intact and he’s expected to be fully healthy by spring training. He also wasn’t going as deep into games as he once did, a notable change for a pitcher previously known for his stamina and complete games.
Now 31, Giolito probably won’t secure a long-term deal. Nonetheless, he’s likely looking at a two- or three-year contract with an average annual salary around $17 to $19 million. He may not be the ace he once looked like in Chicago, but he still profiles as a steady starter for a team in need of reliable innings. Potential landing spots include a return to Boston, his hometown Dodgers, the Tigers, the Mets and the Giants.
Kyle Finnegan
Kyle Finnegan quietly became one of the most reliable relievers in Nationals history, putting together five straight seasons with a sub-4 ERA from 2020 through 2024. He took over as the team’s closer in 2023 and recorded a career-high 38 saves in 2024, earning All-Star honors along the way.
He also threw an immaculate inning against the Braves on May 5, 2021, one of the rarest feats for a reliever and a highlight of his Nationals tenure. Despite flying under the radar nationally, Finnegan has consistently ranked among the league’s better relievers in key advanced metrics, including ground ball percentage, xERA and xBA.
After being non-tendered and then re-signed by the Nats on a one-year deal, Finnegan opened 2025 back in Washington before being traded to the Tigers at the deadline. The move completely reshaped his season. In Detroit, he cut down on his heavy fastball usage and leaned more on his splitter and slider. The adjustment paid off right away. He posted a 1.50 ERA with a 35 percent strikeout rate and quickly became one of the Tigers’ most trusted bullpen arms down the stretch. In return, the Nationals acquired two right-handed pitching prospects from Detroit: Josh Randall and R.J. Sales.
At 34 years old, Finnegan stands on the cusp of the first multi-year contract of his career. He’s expected to land a two-year deal worth around $20 to $22 million. Teams in need of a steady late-inning arm, including the Tigers, Yankees and Diamondbacks, are likely to show interest.
Nationals fans know how reliable Finnegan remained through the tough seasons after the rebuild began. There’s no doubt they’ll be rooting for him to cash in big this winter.