3 players the Nationals wish they still had on their roster

It's tough to pick players the Nationals wish they still had. The organization is committed to rebuilding its roster with young talent, and it's clear that they think they may have the answer at some positions. However, there are others where they are clearly lacking, but Washington hasn't had many stars lately.

With that said, there are a few players who very clearly stand out above the rest, as men the Nationals should have brought back to Washington.

Juan Soto

Even though the outfield has been clearly remade with young, former top draft picks, surely Washington still wishes they have their former superstar. Soto had one of his best seasons this year with the Mets, with a surprisingly low batting average of .263, but career highs in home runs (43) and stolen bases (38), and a second consecutive season with 100 runs scored and 100 RBIs.

To be clear, trading Soto to the San Diego Padres was correct, and there's no reason to have second thoughts about it. There's no doubt that three of the team's top four current players - specifically James Wood, CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore - came from that trade, and there's still a chance that Robert Hassell III and Jarlin Susana could become important pieces of a future playoff contender in Washington.

What the Nationals likely do regret, however, is not pursuing Soto more seriously in free agency last offseason. That obviously would've require offering him a boatload of money, as he wound up signing a 15-year, $765 million contract. But that's really beside the point. If the question is simply about who the Nationals most wish they still had, regardless of how much it would cost, Soto has to top the list.

With that said, at a certain point, money can't always be seen as an obstacle. It clearly was in regards to Soto, and it's legitimately unclear whether the Lerner family could have afforded to pay Soto's contract. But then again, the rest of the payroll is so light that one larger number may not be that problematic.

Bryce Harper

Let's consider another player whose ability keeps him in the same conversation as Soto, while also being more affordable and perhaps filling a need more clearly. Once upon a time, the Nationals let Bryce Harper leave as a free agent and turned the keys over to Soto. At the time, the team appeared to have a surplus of outfielders, which also included Adam Eaton and elite prospect Victor Robles.

Although Soto is a better hitter than Harper, this former phenom also finds himself in the MVP discussion most years. Some of his best seasons have now come with the Philadelphia Phillies, and that doesn't sit well with anyone who works for or enjoys following the Nationals.

What makes Harper extra interesting in this regard is that he has changed positions to first base. That makes him a much better fit in Washington now, as first base has been a black hole in the 2020s, aside from a brief period with Josh Bell.

$330 million over 13 seasons is far from cheap, but if you really stop and think about it, that's somewhat of a bargain for an elite player. That's barely more than $25 million per year, and just shy of half the annual cost of Soto. Maybe re-signing Harper should've been given more consideration after all.

Max Scherzer

This is less about current performance and more about a need for leadership. Max Scherzer is a shell of what he used to be, in terms of results on the field and availability. In that way, maybe bringing back Scherzer would tarnish his legacy somewhat. Still, he would carry a lot of value in Washington's pitching staff.

Above all else, Scherzer carries himself with a mindset that is nearly unrivaled. That was especially evident during his time in Washington, when no one could take him off the mound, and his appearance alone would terrify most hitters. Even if he isn't the pitcher he once was, he knows how to prepare, and his veteran perspective is something a young staff could greatly benefit from.

It's not like the current starting rotation in Washington inspires much confidence. Maybe the Nationals could transition him towards becoming a closer. But no matter what, his presence is certainly missed and could go a long way.

Who do you wish was still in Washington? Let me know your thoughts @stephen_newman1 on X.