"The Nats brought in Drew Smith. He just went through his second Tommy John but says he's fully recovered. He's been a live-arm guy who has always outperformed his fancy stats. If one was to theorize it could be because his fastball is fantastic and when he needs to dial it up to get an out he can do it."
"As a minor league deal it's fine and I guess the Nats have reached the time when they feel thy can pick up bargains. Will they make many more moves? I doubt it but expect a few more here and there. Maybe a veteran catcher. Maybe a DH. Another reliever. Not anyone that would excite you but gap fillers. The signings aren't going to be the focus of the Spring though."
"Will CJ Abrams be here on Opening Day? The Nats are in rebuild mode with an aim to have the #1 minor league organization in baseball. It seems pretty clear that trading Abrams, with limited control left, would be a way of getting there. What is the plan at Catcher? Ruiz has the money but he's been literally unplayable in recent years. Do they start with Millas? Ford? Or is there a vet out there they will throw back behind the plate at first?"
The Nationals signed Drew Smith on a minor league deal after his second Tommy John, with questions about durability and a fastball-driven profile. The team appears focused on low-cost, gap-filler additions such as a veteran catcher, a DH, or another reliever rather than splash moves. The organization is in rebuild mode aiming to strengthen its minor-league infrastructure, and trading CJ Abrams is a plausible path given limited control. Key spring concerns include the catching plan (Ruiz, Millas, Ford, or a veteran), the DH/outfield rotation, and injury updates for pitchers like Josiah Gray, Herz, and Williams.
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