2026 Spring Training Thoughts
I wish I were as excited about 2026 Spring Training as Rascal is to get some crumbs and butter. But I’m not.
It’s pretty clear that the new boss will same as old boss when it comes to the big club for 2026 – veterans will plug the (numerous) gaps and “the kids” (our guys) will be the last resort.
Mark Zuckerman, who’s now on Substack (definition of mixed feelings: Support the Nats best beat writer while also supporting a platform that the kids call “sus”) is already reporting that Luis García Jr. will split time between 1B and 2B, which cuts down on Yoyo Morales’s chances.
He’s also reporting that Keibert Ruiz appears healthy and willing to modify his setup to prevent injury. Given his contract, and Harry Ford’s lack of MLB experience, Ruiz can’t be easily written off (as much as many people may want to).
Need more proof that rookies have long odds? Look no further than the half-dozen-plus waiver claims—one of which has already been traded—and the signing of a 37-y.o. journeyman to compete for spot in the rotation.
Perhaps the best chance for one of the watchlist guys to make the Opening Day roster is in the outfield, given the lack of offense from Jacob Young and Robert Hassell.
The next-best chance is, as usual, the bullpen… Last year, Brad Lord got the call. Could Riley Cornelio or Andrew Alvarez be the next? Much depends on how the rotation shakes out. Lord, for example, could be a starter given that both Trevor Williams and DJ Herz will start the season on the 60-Day I.L.
Otherwise, I’ll get back into the habit of writing close to every day again, “covering” spring training with the focus on the prospects and minor-leaguers until roughly St. Patrick’s Day or after the first two or three cuts.
“It’s pretty clear that the new boss will same as old boss when it comes to the big club for 2026 – veterans will plug the (numerous) gaps and “the kids” (our guys) will be the last resort.”
Not understanding this take. Is their any MLB team that made less of an effort to sign veterans than the 2026 Nats to date?
The big acquistion was Harry Ford (a prospect).
The big trade was McKenzie Gore for five prospects.
The Nats did just sign Miles Mikolas (for almost nothing $2.5 million).
While I expect Mikolas to be in the rotation to start the season, with almost no investment in him, don’t see the Nats holding back some deserving starter killing it in Rochester or H’burg from getting into the rotation. IMO, the gave prospect Mitchell Parker a ridiculously long leash last year. Outside of Cavalli (a prospect), I don’t see any “veterans” taking away rotation spots. As it is, think the Nats may have the worst rotation in MLB, and there should be more room for prospects?
Thought that the Nats might bring in a vet first baseman? No.
Third baseman? No.
Middle infielder? No
Outfielder? No.
What veterans are taking up spots for deserving MLB ready Nats prospects?
They’re using waiver claims instead of signing free agents. The net effect is the same. And by no means am I arguing there is a bevy of “MLB-ready Nats prospects.” But until they start DFA’ing 40-man guys to make room, it’s a distinction without a difference.