Brewers, Rays Show Washington Nationals How to Take the Next Step

The 2026 World Series matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays is proof to clubs like the Washington Nationals that you can strategicly build your way to the top.

Neither Milwaukee nor Tampa Bay have relied on a big payroll to build their rosters. Both developed young players, made trades to fill holes and found contributors who cost less than established stars. Their success is worth studying as the Nationals decide what comes next.

Washington has made progress, going from 71 wins in 2024 to 66 in 2025 and 77 this season. But will need to extend their measured approach into spending in 2027 and beyond.

James Wood and CJ Abrams are cornerstones in the lineup and the farm system has added a wide range of talent under the new front office led by Paul Toboni. Washington ranked sixth in MLB Pipeline's midseason farm system rankings, a significant improvement from 17th before the season.

The Brewers and Rays show why that progress matters, but also why it cannot be the end of the plan.

Milwaukee built much of its roster through the draft and international signings. Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick are among the players who have developed into major league contributors. The Brewers have also made trades to bring in established talent, including Christian Yelich and William Contreras. They have not needed to sign the biggest names in free agency to build a team capable of winning.

Tampa Bay leaned more heavily on trades and finding players other teams undervalued. Junior Caminero, now one of the Rays' most important hitters, came over from Cleveland in a deal that brought Tobias Myers the other way. The Rays have continued to turn those kinds of moves into useful major league players, even while working with a limited payroll.

The Nationals do not need to copy either team and can land somewhere in the middle of those ideas, but will need to bump up the MLB's lowest payroll to fill in needs that are harder to solidify from within or on the trade market.

For Washington, the top need is pitching. The Nationals scored 821 runs this season, but their pitching staff struggled to keep opponents off the board. The bullpen was a particular problem, and the team needs more dependable starting pitching as well. The offense has given the Nationals a reason to believe they can improve quickly. The pitching staff is a big reason they finished eight games below .500.

This is where the front office can make a difference over the offseason. Washington does not need to spend recklessly or hand out long contracts just to show it is serious about winning. It should look for starting pitchers who can take pressure off the younger arms, add reliable bullpen options and improve the depth behind its best players.

The Brewers and Rays have shown that a team does not need to spend like a big-market club to reach the World Series. They have also shown that developing young players is only part of the job.

With targeted spending and a few good decisions on the trade market, the Nationals can make a serious push toward contention in the near future.