In trading away much of their current roster before yesterday’s trade deadline, the Nationals prioritized talent that was close to Major League ready. The hope and expectation was that many of the players acquired over the past few days will soon join Juan Soto, Victor Robles, and company in DC to begin shaping the next Washington contender.
As such, it is expected that Mason Thompson — acquired from the Padres in the Daniel Hudson deal — will be activated and placed on the active roster later today, while Josiah Gray — a key piece in the Max Scherzer trade — will be activated to join the rotation later this weekend, per Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post (Twitter links). They won’t need a corresponding roster move to add Thompson, as the Nats played with only a 25-man roster for yesterday’s game.
Gray immediately becomes the most interesting starter in the Nationals’ rotation — as well as the most important. There’s little reason to hold him in the minors for any length of time, except for the fact that the 24-year-old has very little pitching experience in the grand scheme of things and only 15 2/3 innings at Triple-A. Looking to maximize the three-year window following this season before Juan Soto hits free agency, the Nats have little time to waste in letting Gray try to establish himself as a pro-ready starter.
Besides, the Nationals have very few options in the upper minors, and they need to fill two rotation spots after trading Scherzer and Jon Lester. Gray will slot right into the rotation behind Patrick Corbin and Joe Ross, with Erick Fedde and Paolo Espino likely to hold down the other two spots.
The same is true in the bullpen, where the departures of Brad Hand and Hudson leave glaring holes. Kyle Finnegan has stepped in as the closer for now, but in the long-term, the rest of the bullpen is largely up for grabs. Tanner Rainey has been off all season, though they certainly hope he can find himself again before the year is out. Wander Suero has long been a middle reliever who sometimes plays up into a setup role for manager Dave Martinez. Will Harris should be a key man, but he can’t seem to stay healthy.
Thompson, 23, should have every opportunity to carve out a role for himself. Baseball America ranked him as the Padres’ 15th-ranked prospect in the midseason report — and he figures to be considerably higher in a talent-poor Nationals system. BA pegged him for middle or late relief, noting a 94-98 mph heater, 12-to-6 curve, and above-average change-up.
All in all, it’s prove yourself season in Washington, where Thompson, Gray, as well as Lane Thomas, Carter Kieboom, Luis Garcia, and probably Keibert Ruiz should have the next two months to prove they are ready to be regular Major Leaguers.
Camden453
Remember, if you’re rebuilding, sit on prospects. Do not make trades
There are countless examples of trades ruining rebuilds. What wins is young talent and depth, not aging star players
The Berrios and Hand trades were terrible for the Jays. Prospect depth wins
Take for example the Braves. They didn’t make any major trades. As a result, they won multiple division titles
Faith in the Padres
Goals just to win the division huh? Wonder where the Braves would be had they sold high on some of the highly touted pitching and brought in proven pitchers.
Jays aren’t rebuilding though. So I don’t quite see your comparison.
They paid a high price of Austin Martin for Jose Berrios sure, but they’ve got a competitive window now with Bichette, Guerrero Jr, Hernandez in addition to spending big on Ryu, Springer, Seminen. The Jays in all likelihood offer Berrios a QO and get a draft pick back after 2022.
The Jays traded Riley Adams for Brad Hand. A 25 year old catcher ranked #17 in their system.
They still have prospect depth. Trading 3 guys in 2 deals didn’t deplete the farm.
Dexxter
I’m reserving judgement on that Jays trade until the off-season.
If they re-sign Ray or bring in a comparable pitcher in free agency and roll into next year with 3 very good starters… then I’m ok with this trade.
But if they traded a very valuable prospect package so they can let Ray walk…. Essentially just giving up prospects so they don’t have to pay a free agent pitcher…. That I’m not so Ok with.
Camden453
@Faith in the Padres
Yeah, they tossed a depth piece at catcher for two months of Brad Hand when they were 50-48 with three teams ahead of them in the standings
It’s been a nice season for the Jays, but you have to recognize that it’s still another rebuilding year and not blow any of your prospects
Certainly not Martin and SWR on 1 year of Berrios. Now they have less prospect capital when they are in a legitimate position to win in 2022 or 2023
bucsfan0004
Couldnt agree more. The goal is to win a WS, not go balls out to finish 91-71 and 3 games back of the 2nd WC
tstats
All good points but I think something we all must realize is that the QO might be disappearing after this CBA
iverbure
Camden453 what a great post. This person obviously watches baseball and remembers baseball beyond a year. All you gotta do as a team is make the playoffs. Playoffs are a crapshoot. A lot of people don’t understand that. I’d say most don’t.
natsgm
Nats winning the WS when they clearly weren’t the best team is perfect example. They were just the hot team
SoCalBrave
The Nats were 72-30 over their last 110 games in 2019. They weren’t just a “hot” team, they had the best record in baseball over the last 2 thirds of the season and were quite possibly the best team, despite being a wild card.
Tatsumaki
Just call him Juan solo. No help now
Chief Two Hands
“You were supposed to fire up…we both fired up…”
“It’s like living with a six-year-old.”
Roger Dorn 0-for-the Century
“You killed the invisible swordsman.”
tstats
Never tell him the odds
Chief Two Hands
Gray looked pretty good in his couple outings with the Dodgers, and Ruiz has been a top prospect for a while, just kind of blocked by Smith. As a Dodgers fan, I think the Nats did well with this trade. The inclusion of Turner surprised me, but without him it would have been just one top prospect coming back. Good trade for both teams, I think. Hopefully the Dodgers extend Scherzer for 2-3 years. Just to clarify, I think this trade is good for both, but awesome for the Dodgers.
Tatsumaki
I agree, hoping max gets extended. Think seager is gone as well or bellinger possibly kershaw too. This year kershaw and kenley are gone. Next year trea Turner needs new deal, the year after buehler needs new deal, then bellinger and Julio urias. Can’t keep everyone. Hope I’m wrong though
tstats
Bellinger should be allowed to walk and just pick Taylor up for the extension and use Seager money on Trea Turner
BeforeMcCourt
Other than you seem to want it to happen, there’s no reason to have kershaw leave. He had the 6th best FIP in the NL when he hit the IL. Ridiculous
bucsfan
I was at last night’s Cubs/Nats game and it was a bit weird. I got the sense that Soto already felt it was all up to him, while the younger guys who played were trying to seize their opportunity. The game had the feel of a getaway day game where the starters had played the 3 days prior. Overall a fun game if not the most polished.
sascoach2003
I admittedly don’t see the Nats much, but did see a lot of Andrew Stevenson as he came through the ranks, they need to see what he has, as well as Ruiz, Thomas, et al.
Jesse Cook
As a Cardinals fan,if Thomas can get regular at bats I think he can be a good player for the Nationals. He has some pop,little bit of speed and is good on defense,just was not given much of an opportunity in St.Louis with Carlson,Bader and O’Neill as their everyday outfielders.
Armaments216
The new Washington Grays era begins
Chief Two Hands
Wake us when it’s over. Gray from the Dodgers looks promising, though..
Colt 45
Only NL East team to win last night
Now sitting 6 and a half back of the Mets.
Gonna be lit when they win the division this year.
laswagn
Ruiz = Santana
Gray = Strowman
The Nationals did well for their future.
Papabueno
Looking forward to seeing the new guys play.
Rendon, Max, and Turner were a few of my favorites. It’s a bummer seeing them leave. At least we still have Soto (for now anyway).
Hopefully, a few of the new prospects will turn into solid MLB players.
believeitornot
Just don’t see this team winning with Robles playing every day. He was actually considered a better prospect than Soto. Look how that turned out.