The Washington Nationals may be out of contention this year, but they may have a window soon to contend and become a force in the National League.
They have a young core that features CJ Abrams, Luis Garcia Jr., James Wood, McKenzie Gore, and Dylan Crews, which should help them take some steps towards respectability.
However, they may ultimately be in the market for some major upgrades in free agency. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report linked them to New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who is expected to opt out of his contract this winter.
"The Nationals just might be in the market for a big-name pitcher this offseason, eager to make the most of a window in which CJ Abrams, Luis Garcia Jr., James Wood, and Dylan Crews are all making way less money than they are worth."
Washington does have Gore healthy, and they will eventually benefit from the return of Josiah Gray next season. Adding a top-level starter to bolster the staff would give them a much better chance to return to contention for the first time since 2019.
Washington hasn't reached the postseason since their World Series run that year, but Cole could be key addition as they try to return to prominence.
Cole missed the early part of the 2024 season with an elbow injury but has since returned, going 5-3 with a 3.86 ERA in his 12 starts.
The Nationals returning to contention would make the National League East a very powerful division, as the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies remain powerhouses, and the New York Mets are also taking steps forward.
We'll see if Washington is ultimately in the mix for Cole this coming offseason.
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