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It’s hard not to look at the Nationals’ 2026 season as what could’ve been.
The team remained in the playoff race for most of the summer before scuffling around the trade deadline, leading to a sell-off for prospects. Despite the second-half downturn that saw the bullpen remain unstable and the offense regress, the Nationals undoubtedly took a positive step forward in their rebuild.
With a year of intentional development plans and technological upgrades, Nationals players finished the season feeling upbeat about the franchise’s direction.
“It’s massive,” said right-hander Cade Cavalli, who signed a four-year, $47 million extension in September. “Like I said, all that adds up to winning, and that’s what we’re trying to do here. There’s no rebuild going on. We’re trying to go win, and you can feel that from [the front office]. And when you feel that from the top down, it’s pretty cool as a player.”
This offseason, before a likely lockout after the league’s collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1, is a proving ground for the franchise.
While they have avenues to augment an already impressive offense, addressing their pitching deficit is likely at the top of the franchise’s to-do list. To be serious threats in the National League playoff race, the Nationals need a surefire starter and likely multiple additions to the bullpen. Here are five pitchers that are options for the Nationals this winter.
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Kris Bubic
Bubic, a former All-Star, has been a starter for the majority of his career (89 starts) but appeared out of the bullpen for the Dodgers in the postseason, allowing two earned runs in two appearances.
There are also health concerns with Bubic: He missed the second half of the 2025 season with a left rotator cuff strain and dealt with left elbow soreness. The 29-year-old, a first-round pick in 2019, would be an upside bet for the Nationals. His walk rate (11.5%) spiked last season and needs to decrease, but he misses bats at a solid rate and induces grounders, which is a necessity for the Nationals after allowing the fourth-most homers in the majors (218).
Spotrac projects Bubic’s market value at around $17 million per year, which shouldn’t be an issue for the Nationals, given they have more payroll flexibility after Stephen Strasburg’s albatross of a contract is off the books.
Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd
This option should be contingent on whether the Nationals believe they can help Boyd recapture some of his past success. Boyd’s strikeout rate plummeted last season to a paltry 18.5%. That dip in strikeouts, combined with a jump in his walk rate, is concerning for a Nationals team that didn’t have enough guys with premium velocity on the staff overall.
But Boyd brings ample experience as a starter (221 starts) and is by all accounts a tremendous locker room presence. Like Bubic, Boyd was an All-Star in 2025, so he’s not too far removed from past success. Durability is also a question mark for Boyd, who was limited to 22 starts in 2026 but had a lengthy stint on the injured list after hurting his knee while playing with his children.
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Kevin Ginkel
Baseball Savant pages aren’t everything, but boy does Ginkel’s jump off the screen. Seeing red on these pages is a good thing, and Ginkel has a whole lot of red on his. Ginkel posted a 4.12 ERA in 2026 — his expected ERA was 3.55 — but his underlying numbers are incredibly encouraging.
He misses bats at a high rate (26.2%) and induces chase (36.1%). I don’t have to unpack all the ways the Nationals’ bullpen struggled, but needless to say, they were short on relievers that could beat guys in the zone. That inability to miss bats led to some inexcusable walks. The Nationals finished with the seventh-highest walk rate in the majors last season; Ginkel’s 6.2% walk rate ranked in the 88th percentile.
Ginkel leans on a nasty slider and a four-seamer that sits at 95.7 mph.
Colorado Rockies right-hander Jordan Romano
Romano shouldn’t be of high priority, but a lot of bullpen success is predicated on finding pitchers before they have their breakout season. Bullpens are notoriously volatile, so year-to-year success is highly unlikely.
Look at the Brewers’ bullpen, one of the sport’s best despite seeing All-Star closers Josh Hader and Devin Williams depart in free agency. Trevor Megill was acquired after a 2022 season that saw him post a 4.80 ERA with the Twins. Now, he’s a postseason star and a critical part of a team that won the World Series.
The Brewers have a proven track record of cycling through relievers and maximizing their players, a blueprint the Nationals are striving to emulate. Romano is interesting because, though he pitched just 33 2/3 innings, his profile could be conducive to success.
He limited hard contact, which is impressive considering he played part of the season at hitter-friendly Coors Field, and he has a long extension, giving the hitter less time to respond. He doesn’t have plus stuff, but it’s still good enough, and he could be an interesting low-cost option.
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Alex Vesia
Vesia penned a poignant and emotional tribute to Dodgers fans after Los Angeles was eliminated from the playoffs. It wasn’t a goodbye, but it spoke to the uncertainty the veteran reliever faces after six seasons in Los Angeles.
Vesia posted a 2.64 ERA with a 31.2% strikeout rate. His velocity was in line with his 2025 mark, though he struggled with walks (13.5% walk rate). Vesia would bring high-leverage innings and a World Series pedigree to a bullpen that is short on experience.
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