The Washington Nationals are officially on the board on the trade front this offseason. After taking over as the new leading man in the front office for the organization, Paul Toboni has now made his first big boy trade as the head decision-maker.
Just minutes ago, the Nationals decided to address one of their biggest needs on the team, acquiring Top 100 catching prospect Harry Ford and right-handed pitching prospect Isaac Lyon in exchange for lefty pitching prospect Jose A. Ferrer. This is a deal that has massive implications for the Nationals moving forward, but a very worthwhile opportunity by Toboni and the front office.
Simply put, the Nationals have not been good enough behind the plate for years now. Keibert Ruiz has been brutal both offensively and defensively since inking his long-term extension, and this trade now has his future with the club in serious doubt. While giving up Ferrer, thought to be the long-term closer of the future for the Nationals, is a steep loss, the upside presented by the return is definitely worth it, in my opinion.
Ford, the #42 prospect in all of baseball and the #4 overall in the Mariners' organization, will now have an opportunity to be the catcher for the Nationals for a long time, as he was set to be blocked by Cal Raleigh behind the plate for awhile in Seattle. The 22-year-old Ford was drafted with the 12th pick back in the 2021 MLB Draft, and has some very enticing tools to get excited about as a Nationals fan.
According to MLB.com, Ford has a 50-grade hit tool, 55-grade power tool, 60-grade run, 50-grade arm, and 50-grade fielding. Overall, his grade is a 55 as a prospect, and he was able to get his feet wet at the end of last season for Seattle. He proved he had nothing left to work on in the upper level of the minors, and should be the starter behind the dish moving forward.
Last year in 97 games for AAA Tacoma, he slashed .283/.408/.460, good for an .868 OPS to go along with 16 homers, 74 RBIs, as well as 74:88 BB:K ratio. Isaac Lyon, the other piece of the return, was just drafted by Seattle in the 10th round of the 2025 MLB Draft, and struggled to a 7.30 ERA in 4 appearances with Low-A Modesto, but did have a 15:3 K:BB ratio on the mound, showcasing his ability to miss bats.
Overall, this is a great way for Toboni and the new regime of the Nationals to make a huge statement to the rest of the league that they are intent on improving this club, and as of now this first deal is a major victory in my book. While sacrificing the potential closer of the future in Ferrer, the Nationals were very weak in the catching department, and the value of relievers can be very volatile.
This trade is eerily similar to the Matt Capps for Wilson Ramos deal with the Minnesota Twins back in 2010, where the Nationals took a chance and gave away their closer for a blocked Top 100 catching prospect that had an abundance of potential. Credit to Toboni for taking an early chance at addressing a position that had become one of minimal hope heading into next season.
Additionally, before he suits up for the Nationals, he might get an opportunity to showcase his skills in the World Baseball Classic, as he will likely be suiting up again for Great Britain in February, as he did 2 years ago at a much younger age.
What do you think of the Harry Ford acquisition by the Nationals? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.