- LHP Matt Cronin
- RHP Michael Cuevas
- OF Robert Hassell III
- C Maxwell Romero Jr.*
- LHP Dustin Saenz
- RHP Chase Solesky
- 3B Cayden Wallace*
To make things easier, I have only denoted the players who are not Rule 5 eligible. As I wrote a year ago, the Nats followed the playbook:
Send a catcher, a few Rule 5 guys, a couple of guys who were hurt (always a large pool from which to pick), and one player that checks the prospect box.
With the Nats being the Nats, there’s some overlap here. But to say that this list in uninspiring, specious, or curious would be like saying water is wet. But before I go any further, happy birthday to Chase Solesky (today) and a belated one to Matt Cronin (last week). Both are now 27.
In all seriousness, I’m not sure what the benefit is to either of them (aside from another few paychecks) or the Nats. Of the pitchers, only Saenz had his regular season significantly shortened by injury (wait, what?). Any success increases the odds (however long) of being drafted in December. Is the Nats scouting so bad that the 230+ regular-season IP was not enough to make an evaluation?
Clearly, the prospect box is checked by Cayden Wallace to large extent and Robert Hassell to a small extent. Both are 23 and coming off injury-shortened seasons.
Anyway, not much else to say, aside from maybe this. Have at it in the comments…