Grading the Washington Nationals' 2026 Season

The Washington Nationals have officially put the finishing touches on the 2026 slate after wrapping up a 77 win season in year one under Blake Butera. It's why, despite the Nationals falling out of the playoff contention over the final six weeks, the 2026 season grade draws a B-.

It marked a breakout season on offense after the Nationals ranked third in runs scored (821) and RBIs (777), fourth in doubles (281), fifth in triples (31) in addition to top ten in home runs (210), hits (1,356), OBP (.321). Yet the Nationals enter the offseason with a clear need: pitching.

The Nationals ranked fifth-worst in team ERA (4.67) while allowing 218 home runs and tossing 605 walks, both ranked top five worst teams across baseball. President of baseball operations Paul Toboni and the front office made a handful of notable in-season moves, including designating both Miles Mikolas and Zack Littell for assignment amid setback seasons.

Yet now, the Nationals have arguably the bigger task with all eyes on what the front office do to round out its pitching staff.

And after a regular season where the Nationals comfortably set the MLB record for the most blown saves, it may not be much of a hot take to say that addressing the pitching is the top priority for the Nationals this offseason. Had the Nationals even trimmed a quarter of their blown saves, 2026 could have fared much differently.

Still, the Nationals' offense has put enough of a touch on the season to redirect the outlook on year one. CJ Abrams and James Wood both comfortably set new career highs en route to becoming two time All Star selections, while Andres Chaparro and Yohandy Morales were among the new faces who emerged. Even Keibert Ruiz, who entered the 2026 season with questions whether he would remain the starting catcher, ended the season recording a new career high with a .280 batting average while notching double digit home runs for the third time in the last four years.

The offense has reason for optimism ahead of 2027 -- should a 2027 season materialize -- to give Toboni and the front office a building block to work off.

Yet with the focus on pitching, maybe the bigger question is whether the Nationals will finally pivot from tradition under the Lerner family and spend. The Nationals entered the season with the sixth-lowest payroll with only two National League teams spending less, a consistent theme under leadership. With a chance to add a marquee name to both the rotation and bullpen, the Nationals' fate could fare much differently in the seasons ahead.