"This team had underachieving veterans that locked up valuable payroll dollars. They also had mis-managed developmental pieces, although not everyone. The Nationals' most glaring issue of all was perhaps their abysmal bullpen. As the team turns a new page they must learn from these mistakes and build the best possible roster that can compete in 2026. As we have seen, teams can compete on short notice. Why not us?"
"The Nationals have rang up a tab of $100 Million, or so, as of recent years. They are not big spenders so they must be sharp in the roster moves they make. They traded for Nathaniel Lowe, who carried a 1-Year $10 Million price tag that failed miserably. Lowe recorded an average of .216 and an OPS of .665 - not worth $1 Million, let again ten times that. He was then dealt to the Red Sox."
The Nationals' 2025 season consumed significant payroll on veteran signings that underperformed, including a costly Nathaniel Lowe rental and short-term deals for Mike Soroka and Josh Bell. The bullpen performed abysmally and emerged as the most glaring team weakness. Several prospects received MLB playing time but were mismanaged, exemplified by Robert Hassell III's premature call-up and demotion. The combination of underperforming veterans, misused developmental pieces, and bullpen collapse prevented sustainable success. The organization must assemble a sharper, better-managed roster to compete in 2026.
Read at District on Deck
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