The Washington Nationals haven’t made any big splashes during the off-season, but have quietly added some interesting pieces to their already-promising roster. Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training on Feb. 12, and the 2025 team will start to take shape.
Among the pitchers we’ll see this week is right-hander Michael Soroka, who was acquired on a one-year deal. Soroka was 0-10 with the dreadful White Sox in 2024 but was a solid contributor with the Braves before that. Washington also resigned righty starter Trevor Williams, who enjoyed great success with the Nats last season before and after an injury. With Patrick Corbin gone, Soroka and Williams will vie for spots in the starting rotation with the young arms who were mainstays last season: Mackenzie Gore, Mitchell Parker, Jake Irvin and DJ Herz. Josiah Gray, still working his way back from surgery last year, does not figure to make the Opening Day roster, but top prospect Cade Cavalli just might.
Bullpen shakeup
One familiar face we won’t see is last year’s 38-save All-Star closer, Kyle Finnegan, whose services the Nats chose not to retain. Promising young lefty Jose Ferrer looks to have the inside track on the closer job for 2025, but new acquisition Jorge Lopez, a veteran righty who posted a 2.89 ERA last year with two different teams, may have something to say about that. The Nationals also recently signed their first Japanese player, lefty Shinnosuke Ogasawara, and veteran righty Derek Law returns to the bullpen after a very effective 2024 with the Nats.
The Nats drafted several promising catchers last year, but while those players develop in the minors, expect some familiar names to head north with the team after spring training. Keibert Ruiz will likely be the starter once again, with Drew Millas and/or Riley Adams backing him up.
Lineup should improve
Position players report on Feb. 18, and the most significant acquisition Washington made over the winter was first-baseman Nate Lowe, who comes from the Rangers. He’s not as big a name as some of the other available first-basemen, but brings a .272 career batting average and some much needed pop. The Nats also acquired veteran switch-hitter Josh Bell for the second time, and added a solid utility player in Amed Rosario, a career .273 hitter.
The performance of these new additions will matter, of course, but not as much as the continued development of Washington’s young outfielders. James Wood, Dylan Crews and Jacob Young showed great promise last year, but their potential is far higher than what we’ve seen to date.
Time will tell
Washington opens its spring training schedule against the Astros on Feb. 22, and will begin the regular season against the division-rival Phillies on March 27 at Nationals Park.
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