Nationals Face Multiple Arbitration Decisions Ahead of 2027

The Washington Nationals enter the offseason with several key decisions to make, but that also includes multiple in-house candidates who enter the offseason with stay or go decisions.

The Nationals enter the offseason with eight arbitration eligible players, on the lower side across the league with multiple teams facing double digit decisions ahead of the offseason. The cream of the crop for Washington is infielder CJ Abrams, who enjoyed a career season despite being moved from shortstop to second base at times over the second half of the season. Abrams may be the safest bet to return in 2027 in regards to arbitration, albeit the near-consistent trade rumors dating back to last offseason into the 2026 trade deadline adds a question surrounding Abrams' long-term future with the organization. Still, the star infielder and two-time All Star selection has cemented himself as a core piece of the organization's foundation alongside outfielder James Wood and ace Cade Cavalli, who is officially locked in until at least 2030 with a team option in 2031.

Outfielder Jacob Young, who appeared in all but 12 games in 2026, could also be another strong candidate to return in 2027 after amassing ten home runs this past season despite owning just five home runs through his first three seasons. Young also posted a new career-high with 50 RBIs while posting a .252 batting average, though his defensive presence was on full display once again to carve a clear role in the outfield rotation. Given the questions surrounding Dylan Crews amid a setback 2026 season, Young's presence on the Nationals' roster could loom even larger in 2027.

Richard Lovelady, meanwhile, eclipsed a 4.00 ERA for the second consecutive season, while Mitchell Parker notched just one save and owned a 6.58 ERA despite entering the 2026 season as a candidate to become the closer. Josiah Gray, meanwhile, was able to make his return to the diamond this offseason with a chance to carve out a role in 2027, whether it be in the bullpen.

Of course, the caveat in whether the Nationals ultimately avoid arbitration with any of the eight players stems from what the offseason ultimately materializes into ahead of a potential lockout.

List of Nationals' Arbitration Eligible Players Ahead of 2027 Offseason

- CJ Abrams: $10.2 million

- Jake Irvin: $3.4 million

- Jacob Young: $2.3 million

- Richard Lovelady: $1.7 million

- Josiah Gray: $1.6 million

- Jake Bird: $1.3 million

- Mitchell Parker: $1.1 million

- Ken Waldichuk: $1 million