The Washington Nationals’ offseason changes has continued into the offseason, now both across the roster and coaching staff.

Grayson Crawford becomes the latest addition to the coaching staff, joining as the new director of pitching under new manager Blake Butera.

Crawford joins the organization most recently from the Mets, widely viewed as one of the most respected coaches at his position. 

“Might be my favorite hire so far. Crawford has gotten to work under the very best in the industry, Sam Briend, when he was with the Yankees. Mets as well are in the upper echelon of pitcher development. This is huge for the farm,” Aaron Lichstrahl wrote on X.

After playing at Sillman College in 2010, Crawford quickly shifted to become their assistant coach before jumping to Pensacola State College just seven months later. In 2011, Crawford began his three-year head coaching career at Christian County High School before heading back to the college ranks at Lindsey Wilson College. The ascension started shortly after after joining Murray State’s staff as an assistant in 2015 before moving to UL Monroe in 2018 then Austin Peay in 2019. Crawford was named the pitching coach at Lipscomb University from 2020-21 before moving to the pros, joining the New York Yankees organization as the pitching coach in 2021.

Crawford becomes the second former college assistant to join the staff after hiring Phillip Cebuhar from UNC-Charlotte earlier in the week. Crawford also joins Corey Ray as the new first base coach, Grant Anders as the new bullpen catcher and MLB development coach along with Desmond McGowan as the new director of amateur acquisitions.

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But Washington also began adding to its roster this week. 

The Nationals signed former Phillies outfielder Leandro Pineda to a minor league deal.

Pineda, 23, becomes the third signing after signing right handed pitcher Eddy Yean to a minor league deal and resigning shortstop-turned-pitcher prospect Erick Mejia.

Pineda added 32 extra base hits and 37 RBIs in the minor league in 2025. He initially signed with Philadelphia as an international free agent back in 2018 and spent the next year playing in the Dominican Summer League before getting 2020 to rest after the minor league season was canceled due to COVID-19. In 2021, Pineda moved to the Florida Complex League while with the Phillies’ Double-A affiliate in 2025, he slashed .211/.320/.364 in 105 games while adding nine home runs, 22 doubles and 37 RBIs.

The latest addition adds to the Nationals’ farm system with Pineda still looking to make his Triple-A debut. Still, this is a sign by Butera and president of baseball operations Paul Toboni working to rebuild the farm system ahead of a complex offseason for the new front office.

Left handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore became a big piece of trade talks over the last week with several teams reportedly inquiring with Toboni opening discussions on the reliever, while shortstop CJ Abrams joined Gore as 15 potential trade candidates ahead of MLB winter meetings set to begin next week.

Washington enters the offseason with over 30 free agents.