When a team comes off a 66-win season after coming off a 71-win season, a rebuild is inevitable. And although they didn’t tear the team down to the studs, trading away your 27-year-old, no.1 starter is definitely an extreme makeover. Mackenzie Gore was traded to the Texas Rangers for five prospects, so the Nationals lose their ace, and his loss will make it even more difficult for them to climb out of the basement. James Wood and CJ Abrams will be the keys to the Washington Nationals’ success in 2026.
THE LINEUP
It’s hard to remember that this team once had Bryce Harper and Juan Soto…those days are long gone. The team does have two young players that they are hoping to be cornerstones for years to come, but that remains to be seen. And even if James Wood and CJ Abrams do pan out to get close to what Harper and Soto were, they need much more help to move the needle.
Wood is entering his second full season in The Show, and the 23-year-old, 6’7” monster is looking to build off of his 31HR, 94 RBI, .825 OPS season. For a large man, he has sneaky speed, swiping 15 bags last year. His power/speed combination could produce a 30/30 season.
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Shortstop CJ Abrams is the exact opposite of Wood. Abrams is unassuming in the heart of the infield. He’s two years older than Wood and entering his fourth full season. He is about as consistent as consistent gets. In his first three seasons, he’s averaged 85 runs, 19 HRs, 63 RBIs, and 36 SBs. And he averages 144 games and 561 ABs. Wood played 156 games last season, to go along with 598 ABs.
A nice base of 1150 ABs between the two of them is a solid start…but unfortunately for the Nationals, they don’t have much else. The best of the rest is probably 2B Luis Garcia. He is also 25 years old, but entering his seventh season. He built playing time each year, capping out with 140 games the last couple of years. While he had some regression last season, he is the clear choice at 2B. He was nearly a 20/20 player in 2024, when he had 18 HRs and 22 SBs.
THE ROTATION
Last season, the team had seven pitchers start 10 games or more. None of them had an ERA under 4.17, and that was Mackenzie Gore, who is now in Texas. Cade Cavalli and Brad Lord were the other two who had a sub-5.00 ERA. Jake Irvin looks to be the de facto no.1 starter this season. He led the team last year, with 33 starts. He was 9-13 with a 5.70 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. That encapsulates what this currently is.
BULLPEN
Kyle Finnegan led the team with 20 saves last season, but is now pitching for the Tigers. They enter this season with Cole Henry as their closer. Last season, he made 52 appearances with 2 saves. He, like many other pitchers on the team, posted an ERA north of 4.00. This team may require a rebuild, of a rebuild, of a rebuild.
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