The offseason for the Washington Nationals has only just really begun within the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately for them, they were not a postseason team, meaning that they got to kick off their offseason planning a little bit earlier than a lot of other teams around the league.
Although free agency has not even really yet begun, the Nationals are getting a clearer picture about each of the players that will be available to be signed this winter, although the status of next season is currently up for major debate at this point in time. The Dodgers clinching a third consecutive World Series will likely only make the divide greater between owners and players, with a lockout looming.
While there is so much uncertainty within the future, one thing that is known at this point is that a pair of former Nationals will not be back in 2027. On Thursday, 2 Nationals relievers who spent time with the club during the 2026 season both elected minor league free agency, giving them a head start on free agency.
Justin Lawrence and Max Kranick elect minor league free agency
Of course, those pitchers would be righties Justin Lawrence and Max Kranick, both of whom were members of the dreaded 2026 Nationals bullpen that made history for all the wrong reasons. The 2 of them, along with fellow former National Jeimer Candelario, are all hitting minor league free agency where they will be looking for another minor league deal for 2027.
Lawrence came over from the Minnesota Twins via the waiver wire, although he spent time with the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates before his time with the Twins. Overall in 2026, Lawrence pitched to an ugly 7.34 ERA and 1.951 WHIP across big-league time with the Pirates, Twins, and Nationals.
Kranick, on the other hand, pitched to a 9.33 ERA and 2.182 WHIP after returning from an injury that he suffered while he was a member of the New York Mets last year. He was given a 1-year major league deal while still recovering from his injury, but he could never fully put it all back together with the Nationals.
Both of them were outrighted off the 40-man roster after being unable to consistently throw enough strikes, and now will be looking for another organization to take their talents to. Hopefully, both players can land somewhere and rebuild their confidence and abilities and earn another crack at the major leagues.
Would you want either Justin Lawrence or Max Kranick to return to the organization at all? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.
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