It is possible that Cruz’s upcoming eye surgery will correct the vision problems that certainly contributed to this decline, but the Nats aren’t likely to take the $13MM risk (the cost of exercising their end of Cruz’s mutual option) on Cruz bouncing back at age 42. 234/.313/.337 slash line over 507 plate appearances resulted in his worst OPS since 2007. Unfortunately for Cruz and the Nats, time finally seemed to catch up to the veteran slugger, as Cruz’s. Even with the arrow directly pointed in the rebuild direction last offseason, the Nats still spent $15MM on a one-year guarantee for Nelson Cruz, as the club was hopeful that Cruz could at least be a trade chip come deadline time. That strategy is likely to continue this offseason, though it can’t be assumed that the Nationals will only pursue stopgap-esque players. Keibert Ruiz, CJ Abrams, James Wood, Lane Thomas, Josiah Gray, MacKenzie Gore, and Robert Hassell III are all viewed as potential long-term contributors, and the progress of this group (plus other homegrown products like Luis Garcia and Cade Cavalli, among others) in 2023 may help president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo determine the rebuild’s timeline.ĭuring the last two offseasons, Rizzo’s front office targeted veterans on short-term contracts, first in an attempt to return to contention in 2021, and then mostly about filling roster holes last winter. Those two blockbusters and a collection of other deals brought a wealth of young talent into the District, to the point that the Nationals hope a good chunk of their next winning core is already in place. The offloading of veteran talent began at the 2021 trade deadline (highlighted by the Nationals’ move of Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Dodgers), and Washington was again a big seller at the last deadline, with Juan Soto and Josh Bell dealt to the Padres in another headline swap. Until a new owner is officially confirmed, the Nats are in something of a limbo, though their direction was already clear even before the Lerners announced their exploration of a sale in April 2022. Details about the potential sale have been in relatively short supply, which means that it could still be some time before a buyer emerges, and before the sale is officially approved by the league. With the Lerner family expected to sell the Nationals, the ownership question is certainly the biggest-picture issue hanging over the team’s offseason. Cesar Hernandez, Will Harris, Anibal Sanchez, Steve Cishek, Sean Doolittle, Erasmo Ramirez, Joe Ross.Nelson Cruz, DH: $16MM mutual option for 2023 ($3MM buyout)Īrbitration-Eligible Players ( projected 2023 salaries via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz).Patrick Corbin, SP: $59MM through 2024 ($10MM is deferred).Stephen Strasburg, SP: $140MM through 2026 (approximately $45.7MM is deferred).While the club hopes for some improvement next year, it may still be a relatively quiet offseason as the Nats continue their rebuilding path. The Nationals’ 107 losses in 2022 tied the second-highest loss total in the franchise’s 54-year history in Washington and Montreal. Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022.
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