FAQ: What's in store for Nats this winter
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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.
With the World Series concluding late Wednesday, offseason buzz is right around the corner. Let’s look at some important questions facing the Nationals this winter in this FAQ.
Which players are free agents?
Right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. is a free agent. His second season with the Nationals was cut short by injuries, and he went 1-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 32 relief appearances.
Are any players likely to receive qualifying offers?
The deadline for teams to submit qualifying offers is Monday. That Edwards would receive one seems unlikely, with Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey, Tanner Rainey and Jordan Weems among top candidates to pitch late innings next season.
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Which players have options and when does it need to be decided upon?
The Nationals declined a club option worth $3.3 million on center fielder Victor Robles, who was limited to 36 games because of a back injury after starting the season strong. The deadline to decide is Monday.
Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft?
The Nationals’ Top 30-ranked Rule 5-eligible prospects are: shortstop Kevin Made (No. 15), right-hander Cole Henry (No. 18), right-hander Andry Lara (No. 23), left-hander Mitchell Parker (No. 25) and right-hander Zach Brzykcy (No. 28).
Lara, 20, has been in the Nationals’ organization since 2019, when he signed as an international free agent for $1.25 million. He went 6-8 with a 4.58 ERA in 23 starts in High-A this season. The 24-year-old Parker (9-7, 4.72 ERA, 26 starts) led Washington’s Minor League system with 150 strikeouts between Double-A and Triple-A.
Henry, 24, returned from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery to make 10 starts (0-3, 6.21 ERA) between High-A and Double-A. Brzykcy, 24, is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Made, 21, is the newest to the Nats’ organization, acquired from the Cubs at this year's Deadline in the Jeimer Candelario trade. He hit .137 in 22 games with High-A Wilmington.
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The Nationals will have a roster crunch after players come off the 60-day IL and are added back to the 40-man roster following the World Series.
What kind of help do they need, and will they be active in free agency?
Washington needs to boost its offense next season. It has had success in that department with players who had been non-tendered, such as Kyle Schwarber, Candelario and Dominic Smith. Last winter, the only player to receive a multiyear deal was Trevor Williams, and the Nats could follow a similar model of short-term contracts when approaching free agency as they await the debuts of several top prospects.
Who might they be willing to trade?
The Nationals have been active with trading expiring contracts at the Trade Deadline more so than in the offseason. Right fielder Lane Thomas and Finnegan received buzz at the last Trade Deadline, but they are poised to have key roles again on the Opening Day roster.