The Nationals now reflect on their 2025 season and come to the realization of the many mistakes made. This team had underachieving veterans that locked up valuable payroll dollars. They also had mis-managed developmental pieces, although not everyone. The Nationals' most glaring issue of all was perhaps their abysmal bullpen. As the team turns a new page they must learn from these mistakes and build the best possible roster that can compete in 2026. As we have seen, teams can compete on short notice. Why not us?
1. Veteran Contracts Ate Up the $110M Payroll
The Nationals decided that they would compete in 2025, and I cannot knock them too much. However, if you are going to do this, at least be right. The team was very wrong in the moves' they made.
The Nationals have rang up a tab of $100 Million, or so, as of recent years. They are not big spenders so they must be sharp in the roster moves they make. They traded for Nathaniel Lowe, who carried a 1-Year $10 Million price tag that failed miserably. Lowe recorded an average of .216 and an OPS of .665 — not worth $1 Million, let again ten times that. He was then dealt to the Red Sox.
The team also signed Mike Soroka and Josh Bell each to 1-Year deals around $6 Million. Bell was perhaps not the worst signing at the time, but was it necessary? Bell came on late this season, but is now a free agent. You could have spent this time developing your youth at the top, but you did not. Meanwhile, Soroka did not even finish the season in town. Again, not the worst signing at the time, but could we have done better? None of these options panned out for the long-term future of this team.
2. Lack of Developmental MLB Playing Time
The team had an array of prospects find themselves in the majors at one point or another. They could have been managed better. Robert Hassell III was called up when Dylan Crews went down injured. First off, he may not have been ready and second off, they sent him back down in June. No player can always breakout right away. It is possible that Hassell needed more time. He eventually came back to the majors, but his output has his roster spot in question. Maybe I am wrong about their management of him, but it clearly has not proved great results (yet).
Meanwhile, Nasim Nunez seemed to solidify his spot on the 2025 roster. At the very least, he is a favorite to make the team. Why did he take so long to get called up, especially given that he played up in the majors in 2024.
Brady House is another rookie that struggled while Daylen Lile and Brad Lord stayed up for an extended period of time and found great success. I am no manager, but perhaps if this team did not try to compete in 2025, they could have spared the cash and let the prospects develop all season long. Just take a look at the Miami Marlins... they almost made the playoffs with this method.
3. Poor Bullpen Construction
The Nationals bullpen went from an ERA of 4.14 in 2024 to 5.59 in 2025. This was largely due to the fact that they failed to retain items and traded others. While I cannot knock the trades in a time of despair, they could have built a good bullpen from the start. If they wanted to be competitive, this should have been very important within that.
The Nationals traded Robert Garcia to the Rangers for Nathaniel Lowe. This obviously failed while Garcia surged to a sub-3.00 ERA in 2025. The team also traded Kyle Finnegan, which may not have been necessary should the team have been ultimately competitive. They also then traded away a key reliever in Hunter Harvey for prospects which still might pay, but did not fit the "competitive" script.
When it all boils down to it, the team mismanaged their goals in 2025. They could not be competitive but also develop a future. It is difficult. They should have committed to their youth fully, in my opinion, but it is also easier said after the fact. What were your issues with this 2025 unit? Let me know on X - @jetbets17