Checking in on the 6 former Nationals that were dealt at the 2025 trade deadline

The Washington Nationals made their intentions clear at the July 31 trade deadline. Sitting at the bottom of the NL East, the front office shipped out six veterans to contenders as part of a sell-off for young talent. Amed Rosario went to the Yankees, Luis García and Andrew Chafin moved to the Angels, Michael Soroka was dealt to the Cubs, Kyle Finnegan joined the Tigers, and Alex Call headed west to the Dodgers. Now that the dust has settled, it’s a good time to check in on those former Nationals and see how they’re doing with their new clubs.

Amed Rosario

Rosario’s time in Washington was short-lived, but it was enough to catch the Yankees’ attention at the deadline. New York added him for his defensive versatility around the infield and his strong splits against left-handed pitching, where he’s hitting .312 this season.

The 29-year-old got off to a strong start in pinstripes, going 3-for-7 with a double and an RBI across four games. Unfortunately, his momentum ended when he crashed into the outfield wall on August 10, suffering a shoulder sprain that put him on the 10-day injured list. The Yankees hope he’ll be back after the minimum stint, and Rosario has already resumed some light pregame work. If he bounces back quickly, he could still give New York a useful bat down the stretch.

Luis García

García distinguished himself as one of Washington’s steadier bullpen arms in the weeks leading up to the deadline, and that form has carried over to Anaheim. Since joining the Angels, the 38-year-old right-hander has worked seven games with a 1.35 ERA, allowing just one run in 6.2 innings while striking out seven. He’s already picked up two holds and quickly carved out a spot in high-leverage situations.

García has strung together 5.2 scoreless innings dating back to August 5, showing the same sharp stuff that made him so valuable in Washington. Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery praised him as a veteran who has pitched in every role, from the fifth inning to the ninth. García has already earned his new club’s trust. For a team in the middle of a playoff push, his experience and consistency provide just what Los Angeles needed.

Andrew Chafin

Like García, Chafin has settled in quickly with the Angels and given them another dependable bullpen option. The veteran lefty owns a 3.00 ERA across seven outings, with the only damage coming on August 12 when he allowed two runs against the Dodgers. Outside of that, he’s been steady, delivering 5.1 scoreless innings in his other work.

Chafin’s funky delivery and fearless approach make him a tough matchup for hitters late in games. Montgomery called him “an unbelievable competitor,” noting his willingness to take the ball whenever he’s needed. For an Angels team that badly needed bullpen help as they fight for a playoff spot, Chafin fits the bill.

Michael Soroka

Soroka’s stint in Washington ended with warning signs. His fastball velocity had dipped and there were questions about whether he was pitching through an injury. Those concerns proved valid in his Cubs debut on August 4, when he lasted just two innings before leaving with shoulder discomfort. The next day, Chicago placed him on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain.

In that lone start, Soroka allowed one run on a solo homer and struck out three, finishing with a 4.50 ERA over two innings. His fastball sat just above 90 mph, continuing the dip fans had noticed in Washington. It was a frustrating setback for the 28-year-old, especially after he had shown some promise in July with the Nationals, posting a 3.00 ERA over his final four starts before the trade.

The Cubs still hope Soroka can return in September, and he’s already begun playing catch as part of a throwing program. But for now, his move to Chicago hasn’t gone as planned. Even Cubs leadership admitted just days after the trade that the gamble “wasn’t looking like a good bet.”

Kyle Finnegan

Finnegan has been dominant since arriving in Detroit. The veteran right-hander immediately took over as the Tigers’ closer and hasn’t allowed a run in his first seven outings. Over 7.2 innings, he gave up just two hits, struck out 10, and converted all four of his save chances.

It’s a big turnaround from his time in Washington, where his ERA sat in the mid-4s before the trade. In Detroit, that mark has dropped to 3.66, and his strikeout rate has climbed from 8.7 K/9 with the Nationals to 11.7 K/9 as a Tiger. Finnegan credits an “adapt or die” mindset and some tweaks to his pitch mix for the improvement.

The Tigers’ coaching staff has clearly helped unlock another level for him. His arrival has turned their bullpen into a real strength for a team pushing hard toward October.

Alex Call

Los Angeles brought in Call to give the Dodgers another outfield option, someone who could grind out at-bats and give them coverage against left-handed pitching. So far, though, the results haven’t followed. In 11 games, he’s collected just three hits in 20 at-bats, hitting .150 with a .492 OPS.

Most of Call’s time in L.A. has come as a late-inning defensive sub or an occasional start against lefties. He’s drawn a few walks, executed a double steal, and even made a highlight-reel catch in the outfield, but the bat hasn’t followed. Manager Dave Roberts has praised Call’s tough at-bats and grinding style, though right now he looks more like a depth piece than a difference-maker.” If his offense picks up, he still has a chance to give the Dodgers some value off the bench down the stretch.

More Nationals content from District on Deck