After clearing waivers, one recent DFA elected free agency on Thursday morning while a Nationals catcher drew more offseason praise
The Washington Nationals nearly pulled off adding good news from the waiver wire after pitcher Konnor Pilkington cleared waivers on Wednesday, setting the stage for his minor league designation. But that didn't end up coming to fruition after the club announced on Thursday that he had the option and elected to declare for free agency instead of accepting his assignment to Triple-A Rochester.
It marks another hit to the Nationals' Triple-A roster in 2026 after utility player Mickey Gasper was claimed by the Boston Red Sox one day prior, but Washington will also begin shifting its attention to its 40-man roster candidates with pitchers and catchers set to report within one week and spring training set to begin in two weeks.
One of the bigger question marks will be what happens behind home plate with Keibert Ruiz looking to bounce back after battling concussions through the 2025 season. The veteran returns in 2026 looking to return as the full-time starter with a chance to prove himself as exactly that through spring training, but for the first time, he'll face stiff competition with a realistic chance to be dethroned either by Opening Day or into the 2026 season.
Ford, ranked the third-best prospect in the Nationals farm system and 71st overall by MLB.com, arrived in Washington after being dealt by the Mariners in exchange for closer Jose Ferrer back in December after the front office was able to capitalize on Seattle's depth at the position.
“Candidly, I think one of the only reasons we were able to make that trade is because the Mariners probably have the best catcher in all of baseball with Cal Raleigh," president of baseball Paul Toboni said last weekend.
Ford is coming off a 2025 season where he posted 16 home runs and 74 RBIs in 97 games with Triple-A Tacoma prior to making his debut, but now in Washington, the front office has been transparent that Ford will get a chance to come in to compete for a starting job.
"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,” Ford told local media following the trade.
The 22 year old catcher is also viewed as part of the reason the Nationals are expected to be an improved defensive team from one season ago, tabbed as the lone selection in the NL East and one of two teams across the National League.
Mike Petriello of MLB.com pointed to Washington being one of five teams likely to improve their defense from 2025. The obvious reason why is the fact that both Josh Bell and Nathaniel Lowe are no longer with the organization with Bell signing with the Minnesota Twins, leaving first base as one of several questions ahead of Opening Day, and Lowe still a free agent after being waived in mid-August last season.
Petriello also tabbed center fielder Jacob Young as one who "remains truly elite" with still plenty of room to grow from shortstop CJ Abrams, outfielder Daylen Lile and infielder Luis Garcia Jr.