Grading the Nationals 2025 trade deadline haul

The Nationals entered the 2025 trade deadline as clear sellers, and new interim GM Mike DeBartolo wasted no time reshaping the roster. In his first deadline since replacing Mike Rizzo following the midseason shakeup, he traded six veterans: Amed Rosario, Kyle Finnegan, Michael Soroka, Andrew Chafin, Luis García (RHP), and Alex Call, acquiring ten prospects in total.

Washington held on to young lefty MacKenzie Gore, passing on any splashy blockbuster, and instead focused on adding depth to a thin farm system. Most of the return centered around high-upside pitching, with a few intriguing position players mixed in.

Overall Deadline Grade: B

The Nationals didn’t make any sensational deals at this year’s deadline, but they did what rebuilding teams are supposed to do: flip short-term veterans into long-term assets. DeBartolo focused on acquiring high-upside prospects, and six of the ten additions now rank in Washington’s MLB Pipeline Top 30. That’s a clear step forward for a system still in need of depth and upside, particularly when it comes to pitching.

That said, it fell short of a perfect deadline. The Nationals held onto veterans like Josh Bell or Paul DeJong, who could have been moved for lower-tier prospects, and who may now walk for nothing this winter. And while adding six new top-30 prospects provides a meaningful boost, most of the returns still have major development work ahead.

Still, the Nationals had an above-average deadline. They didn’t land a franchise cornerstone, but they got younger, deeper, and more flexible for the future. Former GM Jim Bowden called their return “solid but not spectacular,” which feels like a fair assessment. The real test will be how many of these prospects actually develop into big leaguers. For now, let’s dig deeper and assess why the deadline deserves a B.

Nationals trade Amed Rosario to Yankees for Clayton Beeter and Browm Martinez

The first move of the Nationals’ deadline came on July 26, when they sent veteran infielder Amed Rosario to the Yankees. Rosario, who signed a one-year deal with Washington in the offseason, was a natural trade chip. He is a right-handed hitter who mashes lefties (.307 average vs. LHP in 2025) and offers defensive versatility across the infield.

In return, the Nats picked up 26-year-old reliever Clayton Beeter and 18-year-old outfielder Browm Martinez. Beeter has gotten off to a good start with Triple-A Rochester, showcasing a high-velocity fastball and sharp slider that generate big strikeout numbers. Command remains his biggest issue, but the upside is clear. He was the 66th overall pick in the 2020 draft, saw MLB action with the Yankees in 2024, and currently holds a Prospect Savant score of 86. If he continues performing well, he could be back in the big leagues soon.

Martinez was tearing up the DSL, hitting over .400 before a recent injury ended his season, and he fits the mold of a high-upside, long-term flier. Considering Rosario was a one-year rental, Washington did well to land this kind of return. Beeter immediately fills an organizational need for bullpen arms and now ranks as the Nationals’ No. 24 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Martinez gives the system another lottery ticket with serious upside.

Nationals trade Luis García and Andrew Chafin to Angels for Jake Eder and Sam Brown

On July 30, the Nationals sent veteran relievers Luis García and Andrew Chafin to the Angels in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jake Eder and first baseman Sam Brown. Both García and Chafin were midseason signings on short-term deals, so turning them into two young prospects qualifies as a smart, low-risk move for a rebuilding club.

Eder, 26, was once a promising arm in the Marlins system after being drafted in the fourth round in 2020, but a string of arm injuries and Tommy John surgery stalled his rise. He was assigned to Triple-A Rochester and saw MLB action earlier this season, where he held his own, though he has struggled in Triple-A throughout 2025. Many now see him as a potential bullpen piece more than a future starter, but others hold out some hope he can regain form in a new setting. 

Brown, 23, was sent to Double-A Harrisburg and is a high-OBP, low-power first baseman. He lacks the typical pop for the position but brings a disciplined approach at the plate. 

Neither prospect cracked the Nationals’ top 30, but when a team flips two veteran relievers signed just weeks earlier, any return is a bonus. Even if both pieces are long shots, the Nationals did the right thing by adding two more players to their developmental pool rather than keeping Chafin and García through a lost season.

Nationals trade Michael Soroka to Cubs for Christian Franklin and Ronny Cruz

On July 30, the Nationals dealt starter Michael Soroka to the Cubs in exchange for two position player prospects: outfielder Christian Franklin and shortstop Ronny Cruz. Soroka provided Washington with some solid innings as a low-risk reclamation arm, but his expiring contract made him a clear candidate to be moved for future value.

Franklin, 25, was a fourth-round pick out of the University of Arkansas in 2021 and has steadily climbed the ladder with solid tools across the board. He was assigned to Triple-A Rochester following the trade and is known for his plate discipline, speed, and defensive versatility. He projects as a fourth outfielder who can draw walks, steal bases, and handle all three spots defensively.

In 2025, he stepped forward offensively, posting an .820 OPS in Triple-A while continuing to show improved contact skills. Prospect Savant gives him a PS Score of 92, and he now ranks as Washington’s No. 11 prospect. He will enter a very crowded and youthful outfield picture.

Cruz, just 18, was a third-round pick in 2024 and represents the high-risk, high-reward side of the deal. Now with the FCL Nationals, he brings elite power and athleticism at shortstop, but his hit tool and overall approach at the plate remain major question marks. With proper development, he could grow into an explosive middle-of-the-order threat. Without it, there remains a real chance he flames out.

Many Nationals fans have already compared Cruz to Elijah Green, as both are boom-or-bust prospects with top-tier tools and raw offensive profiles. Cruz has plenty of time to refine his game, and the upside exists if things click.

Overall, this was a strong return for Washington. They added two very intriguing position player prospects for a rental starter, balancing long-term upside with near-term value.

Nationals trade Kyle Finnegan to Tigers for Josh Randall and R.J. Sales

After years as a steady presence in the back end of Washington’s bullpen, fan favorite Kyle Finnegan was finally moved. The 31-year-old closer made over 300 appearances in a Nationals uniform and ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in saves. With his contract winding down and the team out of contention, the front office traded him to the Tigers on deadline day for two right-handed pitching prospects: Josh Randall and R.J. Sales. Fittingly, Finnegan was born in Detroit, making this something of a homecoming.

Randall, 22, is a former third-round pick from the 2024 draft and now ranks as the Nationals’ No. 23 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He was assigned to High-A Wilmington following the trade and is a strike-throwing starter with a mid-90s sinker, a developing slider, and the ability to generate groundballs. He doesn’t rack up strikeouts, but he limits walks and profiles as a back-end starter if his changeup continues to come along.

Sales, also 22, and now at Low-A Fredericksburg, is a lesser-known name but actually outperformed Randall statistically at the same level. He has a 2.71 ERA and a Prospect Savant score of 93, throws strikes, competes well, and adds more depth to the Nationals’ growing stable of arms. Washington did well to bring in two solid pitching prospects for their longtime closer.

Nationals trade Alex Call to Dodgers for Eriq Swan and Sean Paul Liñán

One of the more surprising deals on deadline day came when the Nationals traded outfielder Alex Call to the Dodgers for two exciting right-handed pitching prospects: Eriq Swan and Sean Paul Liñán. Call was not on an expiring deal and was under club control through 2029, but the Nationals chose to sell high on the 30-year-old outfielder.

He quietly built a strong season in Washington, hitting .274 with a .756 OPS and just 36 strikeouts in 237 plate appearances. Call hit .310 against left-handed pitching and developed a reputation for his pesky at-bats, defensive versatility, and high-energy style that made him a fan favorite. With a crowded outfield pipeline, the Nationals saw a chance to flip Call for two top-15 pitching prospects and made the move.

Swan, 23, is a towering 6-foot-6 right-hander who throws absolute gas, with a fastball that touches 101 mph and a pair of power sliders. A former fourth-round pick in 2023, Swan possesses elite raw stuff but still battles serious command issues. The Nationals must focus on refining his control and pitch sequencing, but if they can develop him properly, he has the tools to become a late-inning weapon or even more.

Liñán, 20, brings a completely different profile: his fastball sits in the low 90s, but his changeup is considered one of the best in the minor leagues. If he can develop a second above-average pitch to pair with it, his ceiling could rise significantly. The Nationals assigned both pitchers to High-A Wilmington, and their upside makes this one of the most promising returns of the deadline. According to MLB Pipeline, Liñán now ranks as the Nationals’ No. 10 prospect, while Swan slots in at No. 12.

For a controllable outfielder who was almost certainly not going to be part of the Nationals’ future core, the team did extremely well. Call heads to a contender, and Washington adds two high-upside pitchers with very different strengths. Turning a former waiver claim into two top-15 pitching prospects is exactly the kind of smart, forward-thinking move a rebuilding team should be making.

Washington’s deadline won’t grab national headlines, but it quietly pushed the rebuild forward. They brought in a mix of power arms, toolsy hitters, and long-term projects. Whether any of them become impact big leaguers remains to be seen, but the front office gave itself more chances. Now it’s up to player development to turn that potential into production.

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