SPRING TRAINING COVERAGE 2025

THE LEAD

This was a busy weekend for the Nats, with three games for the big leaguers and two Spring Breakout games for the prospects. Collectively the Nats won two, lost two, and drew one of those five games, but more importantly, certain things got a little clearer for the final 26-man roster, specifically that Mitchell Parker looks to have further solidified his hold on the final spot in the rotation. [Read more about the final spot in the Nationals pitching rotation: The Fifth Starter Showdown: A Nationals Tradition Unlike Any Other.]

But Hal is not George; Hal eventually blinked and let himself get outbid for our old friend Mr. Soto, who probably would have put up 7+-WAR seasons for a decade in Yankee Stadium. Hal might prefer to eat those innings more cheaply, since he has demonstrated an aversion to just blowing away offers a la George. After all, the Yankees are hardly the only team that could use Alcántara, and while he has an incredibly reasonable contract for a proven Cy Young pitcher in his late twenties who is a top-five pitcher in baseball when fully healthy - $35 million over the next two seasons combined with a $21 million team option for 2027 - there are teams out there with a surplus of young MLB-caliber pitching that would come at a much lower freight, both in salary commitments and prospect capital. Can you think of such a team?

 SPRING TRAINING COVERAGE 2025

Game Recap(s)

The Washington Nationals fell to the Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 11-5, as a hot start by the offense was undone by shaky pitching and a power surge from Tampa Bay’s lineup. Michael Soroka took the mound for the Nationals, while the big three of CJ Abrams, James Wood, and Dylan Crews held the first three spots in the lineup. Because today was also day two of the Spring Breakout series, there was little to no top prospect involvement. Read more here

Spring Breakout Recap

Yesterday, the Washington Nationals prospects were defeated by the New York Mets Prospects 5-1. New York Mets pitching prospect Jonah Tong really impressed as he silenced the Washington Nationals’ prospects. According to reports, Tong topped 97 MPH as he often sat 94ish last MiLB season. The Nationals’ sole run came in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a T.J. White sacrifice fly, which scored Randal Diaz. Left-hander Alex Clemmey got the start for the Nationals and pitched three innings of one-run baseball, giving up only three hits, striking out six Met’s prospects, and walking only one batter.

 WASHINGTON NATIONALS PERSPECTS

Whither the Yankees?

As discussed earlier, what team might possibly have a surplus of inexpensive pitchers who can at least eat the innings (and, for their own sake, continue to improve in one of the stronger organizations for pitchers in the majors) that Cole would have thrown in 2025? Well, the Nationals are one. I’m not saying that the Nats are going to or even necessarily should make a trade with anyone, but either DJ Herz or Mitchell Parker is otherwise likely to find themselves in Rochester this time next month, so a remote possibility exists that Brian Cashman calls Mike Rizzo to inquire about a minimum-salary pitcher with MLB experience.

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 WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING

Speed Reads

📌 Susana & Sykora getting noticed (MLB.com)

📌 Nats’ players’ dream teammates (MLB.com)

📌 Spring Training Standouts (The Athletic)