"The 2025 season was a tough one for the Washington Nationals; there is no question about that. In the few years leading up to this year, the Nationals would trade away their star players to get a return on them, knowing they would not have a shot at re-signing them when they hit free agency. These players range from Max Scherzer to Juan Soto to Kyle Schwarber, and more."
"The Nationals won it all in 2019, with their whole core intact, and with Stephen Strasburg healthy during that Postseason, who later won the World Series MVP. The Nationals, a Wild Card team, overcame significant challenges by defeating the National League's top team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the Division Series that year, following their Wild Card win. The Nationals had it all--then nothing."
"The Nationals have made some great moves in trades, such as the Juan Soto deal. Yes, I know he had many years on his contract left, but the Nationals traded him at the right time, because later on, they wouldn't have been able to get the return they ended up getting as James Wood, CJ Abrams, and Mackenzie Gore's stock all would have risen by now."
The Nationals endured a difficult 2025 season after years of trading away star players rather than losing them in free agency. The franchise won the 2019 World Series with its core intact and Stephen Strasburg healthy, with Strasburg earning World Series MVP. Anthony Rendon left in free agency, and the Covid-shortened 2020 season began a streak of missed postseasons that continues. The Juan Soto trade yielded high-upside prospects including James Wood, CJ Abrams, and Mackenzie Gore. The team now has a young core yet to peak, a new hire in Paul Toboni, and an urgent need for improved starting pitching.
Read at District on Deck
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