Although spring training is growing ever closer by the day, it still feels like there is so much time in the offseason yet to come. Perhaps that is because there are still a lot of high-quality free agents available in free agency such as Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Bo Bichette, and Framber Valdez, among others, but the offseason is still drawing closer to a close.
While the Washington Nationals have not been as active as many fans would have liked to see them be to this point, the club continues to prove that they are looking at all avenues to improve the club for the 2026 season. They have demonstrated this either via trades, like acquiring Harry Ford from the Seattle Mariners, and have made a few smaller transactions and signings, such as bringing lefty Foster Griffin back to the United States from Japan.
However, Paul Toboni and the Nationals' front office has now struck again during the offseason, as they have brought in righty pitcher Paxton Schultz, who was waived by the Toronto Blue Jays. The latest waiver wire acquisition by the Nationals immediately steps in to the final 40-man roster spot that the Nationals had open, and he should have a decent chance to crack the big league roster if he performs well in spring training.
The 28-year-old Schultz does not have numbers at the big league level that will knock your socks off, with just a 4.38 ERA and 1.419 WHIP in 13 games with 2 starts, but he did showcase some pretty legitimate stuff in his limited time. He sported a 28:8 K:BB ratio in just 24.2 innings, which on the surface is definitely worth taking a chance on.
Given the fact that the Nationals had an atrocious bullpen in 2025, Schultz can serve as a reliever capable of making spot starts every now and then, and will look to firmly establish himself at the big league level. He has little to prove down in the minor leagues at this point, but does have a few options remaining as MLBTradeRumors pointed out.
While we can only hope that with the 40-man roster being full now for the Nationals that they will still not be hesitant to make any big moves, but at this point it doesn't seem too likely that there is going to be a big signing out there that will make sense for the new front office.
What do you think of the Paxton Schultz acquisition? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.