FAQ: What to know about Nats' offseason
This browser does not support the video element.
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 to start looking ahead to offseason needs and potential action. Here are seven questions facing the Nationals to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.
When are the GM and Winter Meetings?
The GM Meetings will be held on Nov. 4-7, in San Antonio, Texas, and the Winter Meetings will follow on Dec. 9-11 in Dallas.
Which players are free agents?
Right-handers Jacob Barnes and Trevor Williams as well as left-hander Patrick Corbin are entering free agency this offseason.
This browser does not support the video element.
Are any of them likely to receive qualifying offers, and what is the deadline for that?
The deadline for teams to tender qualifying offers is the fifth day after the conclusion of the World Series, and the deadline to accept is Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. ET. However, none of the Nats' candidates is expected to receive a qualifying offer.
Which players have options, what’s the dollar figure and impact on payroll, and when does it need to be decided upon?
First baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo has a mutual option worth $8 million with a $2.5 million buyout. Gallo appeared in 76 games during an injury-hampered season in which he batted .161 with 10 home runs. The option deadline is five days after the conclusion of the World Series.
Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?
Catcher Riley Adams, who appeared in 41 games with the Nats and 40 games with Triple-A Rochester this season, is a non-tender candidate. The tender deadline is Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. ET.
Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft, and do the Nats have a crunch for roster spots?
Players who will need to be protected to avoid the Rule 5 Draft include top prospects like outfielder Robert Hassell III (No. 13), right-hander Andry Lara (No. 17) and infielder Kevin Made (No. 25). Other notable prospects who could be added to the 40-man roster are left-handers Andrew Alvarez, Tim Cate and Matt Cronin, right-handers Chase Solesky and Seth Shuman and infielders Jackson Cluff and Jack Dunn. The Nationals would need to clear roster space to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft.
This browser does not support the video element.
How might the roster crunch be resolved, and when does that need to be set?
Hassell and Lara are likely candidates to be added to the 40-man roster. Hassell was invited to Major League camp this year, while Lara is coming off a standout season in which he led the Nats' farm system in wins and WHIP. The deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft is 6 p.m. ET on Nov. 19.
What kind of help do the Nats need and will they be active in free agency? Whom might they target?
The Nationals will look to boost offensive power, address the corner-infield positions, round out the starting rotation, and possibly add a more veteran backup catcher. The club has found success in targeting non-tendered players who go on to have bounce-back seasons in Washington.
This browser does not support the video element.
Whom might the Nats be willing to trade?
All-Star closer Kyle Finnegan was part of Trade Deadline buzz this season, and his name is likely to be mentioned again. Finnegan, 33, ranked second in the NL with 38 saves. He isn't set to become a free agent until 2026.