After more than three years of rebuilding, the Nationals enter the offseason with a very clean long-term payroll outlook, young core players emerging at multiple spots on the roster, and a front office that sounds motivated to get back into contention sooner than later.
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johnsilver
Here’s one: Does Gallo take the 2.5m cash, thinking he can find 5.5m under someone’s cushions, equaling the 8m option he (and Boras) has for next season? Any other agent and easy call, but never tell with the perpetually greedy boras. I see no chance Gallo finds a guaranteed mlb deal period if he chooses the opt out, but we shall find out soon enough.
jbigz12
lol are you aware of how bad Gallo has been? It’s a mutual option so it doesn’t matter anyway. But he’s not getting a ML deal this offseason.
SalaryCapMyth
Man, yearly team Outlook is member only now? That was one of my favorites. That’s a bit of a body blow. All well.
traverave
Putting a previously free series behind a paywall is certainly a choice. I don’t see that working out very well
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
I would love to see the nats spend a ton and get competitive in the NL east next year, they would be even tougher then the NL west if they have 4 playoff caliber teams
NavalHistorian
As a Nats fan, I hope they spend, and I think they will spend some money, but I don’t see a run at Soto or even Alonso as even remotely plausible. Mark Lerner isn’t his Dad. Ted’s the guy who pushed for them to spend even if it was more than the team itself could reasonably afford..Ted did Strasburg’s deal directy with his agent over Mike Rizzo’s objection.
The Nats have not spent since Ted died, and it’s not just because they’ve been in the midst of a rebuild. In 2023, someone in the Lerner family objected to the settlement the Nats had reached with Strasburg that would allow him to retire, and the team not to have him on the 40-man during the offseason. Somebody in ownership reportedly wanted Strasburg to agree to more team friendly terms. The team self insured Strasburg’s deal, so none of that money is offset by insurance. Mark Lerner isn’t going to spend like his Dad, especially when the family’s real estate holdings took a serious beating in 2020 and have yet to recover.
Secondly, the Nats love deferred money deals. So they still owe Scherzer $15 million and Corbin $10 million in 2025.
Rizzo’s said they don’t want to acquire a free agent that “blocks” a prospect in the minors. He did the ill fated short term deal with Nick Senzel for that reason. He then hedged his bet on House when he acquired 3B Cayden Wallace from the Royals for Hunter Harvey at the deadline. Wallace was the Royals 2nd round pick in 2022. I would be stunned if Rizzo signed a 3B.
Ruiz is a terrible defensive catcher, and he’s got a long term contract. I would not be surprised if the Nats “big” signing this offseason is a good defensive catcher who can help develop the young pitchers and allow the team to move Ruiz to 1B.
C Yards Jeff
@NavalH. Great insight. Thanks.
In regards to ownership strategy, sounds like “Like father, NOT like son”. Didn’t know Ted mettled. IE negotiated the Strausberg deal though Rizzo advised otherwise. So Mark stays out of it and lets Rizzo do his thing?