After signing veteran righty and 2019 All-Star Michael Soroka to a 1-year deal on Thursday, could the Nationals look to make any additional moves to bolster their rotation? Apparently the club plans to use him as a starter, but if the club decides to use him in a Trevor Williams role where he alternates between the rotation and bullpen, who are 3 current free agents that could help the club's starting rotation?
LHP John Means
While most pitchers on the Nationals pitching staff are south-paws, veteran LHP John Means is a perfect low-risk, high-reward player. Means, a former all-star in 2019, has been derailed by injuries since the start of his career. Since being called up, Means has been placed on the injured list 10 times, including multiple shoulder strains and 2 Tommy John surgeries. Means when healthy has been a reliable arm in the rotation. In 73 career starts, Means holds a 3.68 ERA, striking out 334 batters over 401 innings. Means' best season came in 2021 when he threw a no-hitter and pitched to a 3.62 ERA over 26 starts. Unfortunately, signing Means only gives you 2 months of the south-paw, as Means is expected to be out of action until July. Means is 32, so if he pitches well in those 2 months, he would be worth another year or 2. Means has a sub-3 ERA in the last 2 seasons, though that is only factored by 8 starts. Mike Rizzo should offer Means a 1-year, $5 million deal, and that would be worth it.
RHP/OF Michael Lorenzen
While Lorenzen has not swung a bat since the DH rule was added to the National League, the veteran right-hander has become a very reliable starter since transitioning from a reliever/outfielder. Michael Lorenzen spent the 2024 season with the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. In 24 starts, Lorenzen pitched to a 3.31 ERA, with 97 strikeouts and 60 walks. Lorenzen found a grove once being traded to Kansas City, pitching to a 1.57 ERA in 7 starts. This offseason has been pretty cold for Lorenzen, but recent information has begun drawing interest in the right-hander. Lorenzen has told teams that he is willing to play outfield and transition back to a two-way player. During Lorenzen's career in Cincinnati, he was used as a reliever and outfielder. Most players fail to succeed both, but Lorenzen proved he could handle a bat. In 133 at-bats, Lorenzen has hit .233 with 7 homers and 24 RBI, including an emotional home run the day he returned to MLB following his father's passing. Lorenzen also pitched a no-hitter against the Nationals in 2023 during his time in Philadelphia. Mike Rizzo should offer Lorenzen a 2-year deal worth $15-20 million.
RHP Cal Quantrill
Quantrill, a former top prospect with Cleveland, has had a rough few years since his 2.89 ERA in 2021. In 2024, Quantrill pitched to a 4.98 ERA, striking out 110 and walking 69. No, the numbers are not great, but in a batter-friendly park, the numbers are better than most. In his career, Quantrill has pitched to a 4.07 ERA in 123 starts, accumulating 537 strikeouts over 719 innings. Quantrill is an innings eater, and the Nationals need an innings eater in the rotation with the young group, much like Patrick Corbin's role in 2024. Mike Rizzo should offer Quantrill a 1-year deal worth $8 million.
Honorable Mentions
Of course, any pitcher would be nice to add, but certain veterans are more dependable than some. The Nationals and Mike Rizzo could look to former Nationals Trevor Williams for the 2025 season, who pitched to a career-best 2.03 ERA in 13 starts in 2024 for DC. They could also look at veteran left-hander Patrick Sandoval, who made waves on Team Mexico in the 2022 World Baseball Classic. Sandoval has a career 4.01 ERA over 536 innings and was named to the All-WBC team in 2024. Regardless of who it is, the Nationals need to add a veteran starter to take some weight off the predominantly young-led rotation in 2025.