James Wood Has "More To Hang Your Hat On" After Nationals' Season

While the 2026 postseason has already kicked off, the Washington Nationals have already put the finishing touches on the regular season after a strong finish back at home guided the team to a 77-85 overall record, the team's best since 2019.

Outfielder James Wood was a big part of that after finishing one home run away from tying his career high, yet eclipsing 30 home runs for the second consecutive season. Wood, also the recipient of the Player of the Year award tabbed by the media, also joined CJ Abrams as just the fifth set of teammates in MLB history to each record 30 home runs, 30 doubles and 20 stolen bases in the same season.

Wood's .891 OPS ranked fifth among all qualified hitters during the 2026 regular season, while he notched 77 RBIs in 135 games. Wood also slightly reduced his strikeout rate compared to his near-record setting 2025 season, while becoming one of just three players in the MLB to record at least 100 runs and 100 walks in 2026. He nearly became the 14th player across MLB to record 20 home runs and 80 RBIs in a season, though his 77 RBIs cut him short of another accolade.

Wood also did so after missing nearly a month during the second half of the regular season with what manager Blake Butera described as a mild oblique strain, placing him on the injured list as he slowly progressed through August.

Yet the success that the Rockville, Md. native enjoyed during a career season as a National was part of a growing performance by the offense, heading into an offseason with a feeling that the players have, "a lot more to hang your hat on."

The question now is how the Nationals are able to close the margin ahead of 2027, but there is also a question mark about the state of baseball heading into the offseason. Wood acknowledged that the looming lockout has put a pause on what his offseason will ultimately look like, but there are aspects he is able to begin addressing after pointing to his defensive lapses and a feeling that he left runs on the table for the pitching staff.

While Wood looks to build off materializing into a two-time All Star after earning reserve honors as one of three Nationals at the time to appear in the game, the looming lockout also puts a wrench in what the long-term outlook for Wood will look like. After the Nationals inked right handed ace Cade Cavalli to a four year extension, whether Wood is next in line for a similar deal is the big picture question for Paul Toboni and the front office to answer.