Long-term salary flexibility for nationals

The Nationals chose another risk-averse offseason. At the end of last season, Washington general manager Mike Rizzo teased the possibility of increasing impact on the roster.

“We need a few bats that can hit the middle of the lineup and absorb the responsibilities of some of these great young core players and assist them in creating our offense. We have core players who are the middle batsmen,” Rizzo told MLB.com’s Bill Ladson. This offered some hope for the Naths, but that wasn’t the case.

Nathaniel Low and Josh Bell It has always been Washington’s largest lineup acquisition. Lowe, Nats Robert Garciahas been an above-average batsman for three consecutive seasons. He is a legal medium bat. Bell reunited with Bell, who has been one of the best batsmen in the game, is less exciting at a 6mm free agent deal.

Lowe will earn 10.3 mm to 11.1 mm in the penultimate arbitration season, and has been Washington’s most expensive acquisition of 2025. Michael Soroka And bring it back Trevor Williams Two years and 14 mm. They’re Shinnosuke of Ogasawara ($3.5mm in two years), Jorge López ($3mm) and Amed Rosario ($2mm). Williams and Ogasawara are the only players who have been committed to many years. The latter contract was paid to him like the seventh or eighth starter. Lowe’s control of arbitration in another season is under arbitration control and may cost more than 15mm, but if they are not keen on this price, the National may trade or be inclined to him.

It wasn’t that seductive offseason, which showed the front desk felt they were one or two steps away from the top three teams in the NL East. They remain the fourth largest team in the department. Lowe may be a legitimate win upgrade from last year’s first baseman set, which hits just .241/.310/.376. In addition, they rely mainly on internal improvements.

Nationals have greatly reduced their spending during the reconstruction period. The Lerner family is considering selling the franchise and does not want to offer long-term deals to potential buyers. Although they are no longer actively exploring the possibilities of sales, maybe they haven’t given Rizzo and his front desk room a great splash.

If so, if largely unobtrusive, the front desk action is understandable. This lineup seems to be a year away from a viable playoff year. Such as the pursuit of free agents in the middle Anthony Santander or Sean Manaea It is unlikely to change this. They will never seriously threaten the Metropolis, Yankees, etc. Juan Soto. Like a rotating arm Corbin Burnes or The biggest explosion The ceiling lift required for rotation may have been provided, but this requires an ownership group willing to approve $200mm+ free agency deals.