With Spring Training 2025 set to kick off for most teams this week with pitchers and catchers reporting, the MLB offseason has come to an end for most teams. Sure, there might be a few smaller signings made as injuries arise or for a few guys that remain unsigned, but outside of a couple of big free agents, most notably Alex Bregman, most of the big names have found new homes at this point.
So with that being said, let's take a look at some former Washington Nationals and where they have signed this offseason, and we will try to evaluate what their current outlook and chances to make their club.
RHP Chad Kuhl: signed an MiLB deal with the Atlanta Braves on 02/05/2025
Kuhl, who had a pretty difficult tenure in the Nation's Capital as he undoubtedly struggled with some personal things regarding his wife's breast cancer, is off to the Atlanta Braves on an MiLB deal. He spent last season as a reliever with the Chicago White Sox, but was released before the end of the season.
RHP Tanner Rainey: signed an MiLB deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on 12/08/2024
Rainey, who struggled mightily to begin last season before ending the year as one of the more reliable arms in the Nationals' bullpen, will aim to make the Pittsburgh Pirates' Opening Day roster
RHP Joe Ross: signed a 1-year, $4 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on 12/23/2024
Ross, who spent many years with the Nationals, has rebounded nicely from injuries and reformed nicely as a reliever. He signed with the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies and should be a solid bullpen piece for them.
RHP Max Scherzer: signed a 1-year, $15.5 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on 01/30/2025
The future Hall-of-Famer will head north of the border for at least a season with the Toronto Blue Jays, and it will be interesting to see how long he can keep pitching at a high level. Although his body has begun to let him down, he definitely still has some gas in the tank, and we will find out just how much he has left before the countdown for Cooperstown.
OF Juan Soto: signed a 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets on 12/09/2024
The man, the myth, the legend, the new richest man in baseball is Juan Soto, who ended up looking like a genius after turning down $440 million from the Nationals a few years ago. He will be laughing all the way to the bank, and unfortunately for our pitchers we will be seeing a whole lot more of him over the next 15 years.
RHP Blake Treinen: signed a 2-year, $22 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on 12/09/2024
Treinen has not been a National for quite awhile now, and he has been a valuable piece of the Dodgers' bullpen over the last few years. He chose to re-up with the reigning champs and should continue to be a valuable commodity for them.
RHP Austin Voth: signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the NPB on 02/09/2025
Austin Voth will be headed overseas to try to repair some of his value similarly to the way that Erick Fedde, another former Nationals castoff, did a couple years back. He will be headed to the former team of Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, and should take his spot in their rotation as well.
RHP Jordan Weems: signed an MiLB deal with the Los Angeles Angels on 12/18/2024
Weems, who was decent in 2023 before an abysmal 2024 season, is seeking a chance to revitalize his career with the Los Angeles Angels. He has probably hit close to his ceiling at the big league level, but perhaps their organization can get more out of him.
OF Jesse Winker: signed a 1-year, $7.5 million deal with the New York Mets on 01/16/2025
The final name on this list, Winker, chose to re-up with the Mets after being dealt to their organization from the Nationals at the deadline for righty Tyler Stuart, who is knocking on the door of the big leagues himself. His fiery personality made him a fan favorite in DC during his half season, and his last chance opportunity with the Nationals last Spring on an MiLB deal has now resulted in a brand new contract.
Which of these former Nationals are you rooting for the most? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.