The news is out in Washington D.C. has it has MacKenzie Gore headed to the Texas Rangers. In return, the Nationals returned a package of young prospects. From a long-term standpoint, this was a great trade that we have speculated to be in the works for quite some time. From a short-term standpoint, the Nationals have lost their ace, and now they must fill the gap. These are three players that could be signed in free agency to join this young rotation.
Chris Bassitt
This may not be the sexiest pick, but it would be a productive, risk-averse signing. Chris Bassitt is 37-years old, and still going strong. He recorded a 3.96 ERA in 2025, and a solid K-Rate of 8.77 Strikeouts per Nine Innings. The biggest value-add may also be that of his health. Bassitt has played 30+ games in each of his last four seasons. Age may just be a number.
Contractually, Bassitt is expected to command roughly $15 Million per Year. Given the fact that he remains unsigned, the Nationals can surely offer him a 1-2 year deal, and prop him into the lineup at a solid price.
Nick Martinez
Another top remaining pitchers on the market is Nick Martinez. Per Fangraphs, he is the 8th best pitcher to be a free agent in 2026, and the 4th best available. He would be a riskier signing, but one that could prove well worth the risk.
Martinez recently recorded his worst ERA since his return from Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan) at a 4.45. However, Martinez did put up ERA's of 3.10, 3.43, and 3.47 dating from 2024, back to 2022, respectively. That ceiling can be very worthwhile with the new analytical Nationals brass working to get him back into form pre-2025 form.
In current market value, Martinez is expected to command about $14 Million AAV. He is another name that can also be accepting of a shorter-term deal that the Nationals will only want to give. Ultimately, Martinez is 35-year old, and in the back end of his career.
Zack Littell
As we check back into Cincinnati, we find another intriguing free agent in Zack Littell. Unlike the other two options here, Littell is young, aged 30 to be precise. Littell is not a world-beater, but he does own very solid, consistent numbers. His ERA was a 3.81 in 2025 and a 3.63 in 2024. We can speak for days about pitching style, and his ground-ball style of it, but it matters little. Ultimately, we want production in numbers, and his sub-four ERA is good enough.
Littell, however, may command more years on a deal. A one or two year deal could be ideal for the Nationals, but Littell may want three or more. Given his age, and productivity, us Nationals fans should not be opposed to it. It is said that many pitchers reach their prime in their early 30's. Littell is on the brink. His current market value is just about $13 Million AAV, and that price is well within the Nationals budget.