Looking back at the Nats' 2022 season

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

It’s time for the Nationals 2022 season in review. From the first day of Spring Training in West Palm Beach, Fla., to game No. 162 last week at Citi Field, their roster looked significantly different. Let’s take a deeper look into the Nats’ 55-107 season.

Defining moment
The Trade Deadline on Aug. 2 was the turning point of the season with a blockbuster move that changed the landscape of the league. In an eight-player deal, the Nationals traded right fielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell to the Padres in exchange for shortstop CJ Abrams, left-hander MacKenzie Gore, first baseman/designated hitter Luke Voit, outfield prospects Robert Hassell III and James Wood, and righty prospect Jarlin Susana.

What we learned
Soto had been the centerpiece of the franchise, especially following the 2021 Trade Deadline that saw Max Scherzer and Trea Turner dealt to the Dodgers. But in July, Soto -- who had two years remaining on his contract -- became available in trade talks when Washington believed it would not reach an extension. Only weeks later, we learned the Nationals’ future would not be built around the 23-year-old slugger. Instead, the foundation is poised to be other young players, including Abrams, second baseman Luis García, catcher Keibert Ruiz and right-handers Josiah Gray and Cade Cavalli.

Best development
The Nationals bolstered their farm system with the Padres megadeal. Hassell became their new No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, Wood is ranked No. 3 and Susana comes in at No. 8. Wood already was named Washington’s co-hitter of the year in its Minor League awards. In addition, the Nats selected 18-year-old, five-tool outfielder Elijah Green with the fifth overall pick in this year’s Draft. Green is ranked as Washington’s No. 2 prospect.

Area for improvement
The Nationals have several areas of their roster to address this winter, and one that was a recurring theme throughout the season was starting pitching. The starting rotation was shorthanded by serious injuries to Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross. Cavalli, Evan Lee and Jackson Tetreault also were sidelined. Those who did take the mound consistently struggled to go deep into games. As a result, the bullpen was taxed. Manager Dave Martinez’s goal next season is for starting pitchers to go five-plus innings.