While the Nationals' roster movement remains unclear with trade speculation around pitcher MacKenzie Gore still alive, new catcher Harry Ford continues to draw buzz for Washington.
The dominos have started to fall in the Washington Nationals' offseason after finalizing the 12-man coaching staff this week, along with a handful of signings and trades with Foster Griffin becoming the first official free agent signing of the Paul Toboni era.
“The Nationals approached me with a great opportunity - to come back and be that starter,” Griffin told local media this month about signing with the Nationals. “And I’m hoping it all pans out."
It could prove to be an impactful signing for the Nationals with starting pitching a big question mark for the Nationals as ESPN pointed to it as the stat needing to improve in 2026. Of course, the success of the pitching staff will also hinder on the status of MacKenzie Gore, whose trade speculation has died down through the month though has remained on the table with Toboni continuing to draw interest around the league. CJ Abrams was also loosely linked to trade speculation, though that has been viewed as a less likely move compared to Gore.
But with the lack of signature offseason moves, coupled with a Gore trade away from entering full rebuild mode, the Nationals' lack of marquee roster movement puts a question mark on what year one of the Blake Butera era looks like.
The Athletic views the Nationals as "rebuilding" alongside the St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins and Chicago White Sox.
"In the midst of rebuilding their front office and coaching staff, the Nationals have also traded a reliever for a catcher who was a somewhat recent first-round pick, and they’re at least contemplating blockbuster deals involving top starter MacKenzie Gore and shortstop CJ Abrams. Maybe they’ll stop short of a total rebuild, but this is clearly the Nationals’ direction."
Washington did get a handful of key pieces this offseason, including in the trade with Seattle that landed catch Harry Ford, who debuted as the second-best prospect in the Nationals' farm system and 42nd best across baseball where he will look to become a key part of the future.
“I love that I’m going to get a chance to fight for a spot on the team,” Ford said. “I know the other catchers, Ruiz and [Riley] Adams, and so I’m really glad and excited to get to work with them as well. But I am thankful for the chance to be, I guess, a little more in the conversation than in Seattle.”
MLB.com also pointed to Ford as the prospect to watch for the Nationals in 2026.
"The Nationals acquired Ford from the Mariners in December, and it's not a question of if he will play but rather how big his role will be. Ford, the 12th overall Draft pick out of high school in 2021, made his Major League debut on Sept. 5. He appeared in eight games as a backstop behind Cal Raleigh. But in Washington, he will contend with Keibert Ruiz for the starting catcher role. Said Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, "I don’t think he’s close to what his potential might be.”