The 2025 regular season is fast approaching, and the Washington Nationals' roster still has a few holes to fill. It's unlikely we'll see another free-agent acquisition. A trade is always possible, but this could be the roster we see take the field in Spring Training in just a few weeks. With that said, which recent Nationals players would fit on this roster? There are many options to choose from, but three players specifically come to mind.
Max Scherzer
When the Nats signed Scherzer, he was tasked with leading one of the best rotations in Major League baseball. He signed with the Nats following the 2014 season and did not register an ERA above 3.00 until 2020. Scherzer fulfilled all the Nats' front office hopes and then some. The 2019 World Series championship had lots to do with Scherzer's effort. The right-hander is currently at 216 wins in his career after 17 years in the Majors.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the Nats need a top-tier starting pitcher. A 30-year-old Max Scherzer in the middle of his prime added to the Nationals rotation would be magnificent. However, the right-hander is at the back end of his career and is currently a free agent. I would not be opposed to Scherzer retiring in a Nationals' uniform if he intends to retire after this season. It's more likely Scherzer will go out chasing another World Series ring.
Ryan Zimmerman
This choice is far too obvious for a few reasons. One, the Nationals have a gaping hole at third base, and two, who wouldn't want "Zimm" back? Zimmerman wasn't only important to the Nationals and an imposing figure in Washington. The nickname "Mr. National" wasn't given for no reason. The former Virginia Cavalier played all 16 Major League seasons with the Nationals and hit two memorable home runs during the Nats' 2019 World Series run.
When healthy, Zimmerman was one of the best third basemen in baseball. In his age-32 season, he posted 36 home runs and 108 RBI in his final elite production season. That 2017 season was unique, as Ryan had battled injuries the previous four seasons and remained healthy the entire year. If Nationals fans could plug in a 21-year-old Zimmerman at third base, I don't think anyone would hesitate. In the 2024 season, Zimmerman jerseys are still frequently roaming Nationals Park's concourse.
Drew Storen
A homegrown dominant reliever in Washington, D.C., has been a dime a dozen since the franchise relocated. Drew Storen is one of those success stories. Selected in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft and the first overall selection in Stephan Strasburg. That Strasburg guy turned out to be a solid ballplayer. Storen was not shabby, sporting a career of 3.45 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, according to baseballreference.com. Storen was in the big leagues in 2010, just one season after being drafted, a much faster trajectory than in today's game. In the 2011 season, Storen recorded 43 saves in 75.1 innings pitched with a 2.75 ERA, his career-best season. Drew was also dominant in 2014 with a 1.12 ERA, but that season ended abruptly in the playoffs against the Giants. That's why I vote his 2011 season as a notch above 2014.
In all seriousness, Storen in one of the best relievers in Nationals' history. He was drafted and developed by the organization and had a very successful Major League career. He would fit perfectly in the Nationals present day roster. The Nats are in dire need of a dominate back-end of the bullpen reliever. Storen fits the mold and I believe his pitching style would translate to today's game.