Honestly, being a Nats fan lately feels like waiting for a slow-cooker that someone forgot to plug in. You know the ingredients are in there—the high-end prospects, the flashy trades, the "new era" talk—but the heat just hasn't kicked on yet.
Well, it’s January 2026, and the stove is finally starting to flicker. But it isn't exactly burning the way people expected.
If you’ve been doom-scrolling through Washington Nationals news rumors, you’ve probably seen the Mackenzie Gore trade talk. It was everywhere. For months, it felt like a foregone conclusion that the Nats would ship their young ace out for a king's ransom. Then, the Yankees went and traded for Ryan Weathers from the Marlins. Just like that, the most obvious "Godfather offer" vanished.
Now, the vibe has shifted. The rumors aren't about who’s leaving; they’re about how this weird, young roster is actually going to function under the new regime of Paul Toboni and Ani Kilambi.
The Mackenzie Gore Trade That Never Was (For Now)
Let’s get real about Mackenzie Gore. Most people assumed the front office was desperate to move him because they’re "still rebuilding." That’s a mistake. The Nats aren't looking to dump talent for the sake of it.
The rumor mill went into overdrive when the Orioles and Red Sox were poking around, but the asking price was reportedly sky-high. Rightfully so. Why would you trade a rising lefty ace unless you’re getting back a package that makes you better tomorrow? With the Yankees pivoting to Weathers, the market for Gore has cooled significantly.
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Expect him to be the Opening Day starter. It’s basically a lock at this point. Unless a team like the Dodgers or Mets loses a starter to a freak injury in February and panics, Gore is staying in D.C. to lead a rotation that desperately needs a spine.
Why the Trevor Gott Signing Matters More Than You Think
You probably saw the news about Trevor Gott returning on a minor-league deal and rolled your eyes. I get it. He’s 33, coming off Tommy John, and wasn't exactly a Cy Young candidate before the injury.
But look at the context. The 2025 Nationals bullpen was, frankly, a disaster. It was the worst in the league by several metrics. Bringing back a veteran like Gott isn’t about finding a closer; it’s about "dumpster diving" for stability.
The Nats have been quiet on the big-name relievers. They missed out on Pierce Johnson, who went to the Reds for $6.5 million. That was a bit head-scratching. If you won't spend six million on a proven arm, what are you doing? Basically, the strategy here is clear: throw ten veterans on minor-league deals at the wall and hope three of them stick. It’s cheap, it’s frustrating, but it’s the current blueprint.
The Dylan Crews Breakout: Fact or Friction?
There is a lot of noise about Dylan Crews right now. After a 2025 season that was largely derailed by a nasty oblique strain, he’s become the ultimate "prove it" player.
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People are worried. He hit just .208 last year. That’s not what you want from a number two overall pick. But here’s what the rumors miss: the internal data on Crews is still very high. The new coaching staff, led by manager Blake Butera, is obsessed with his "five-tool" ceiling.
They’ve been working with him at the new prospect minicamps on "trajekt" machines to fix his swing path. Basically, they're trying to get him to stop chasing the high heater. If Crews can stay healthy and click with James Wood, that outfield goes from "promising" to "terrifying" real fast.
International Signing Day: The Next Wave
While everyone was focused on the big league roster, the Nats just dropped nearly $6 million on a new class of international free agents.
Samil Serrano is the name you need to know. He’s 6’3”, hits from both sides, and scouts are already drooling over his "easy power." Then there’s Isaias Suarez. Both are 17.
- Samil Serrano: $1.97 million bonus (Power-hitting OF)
- Isaias Suarez: $1.9 million bonus (Athletic, developmental OF)
- Angel Ramirez: $1 million bonus (Switch-hitting OF)
Notice a pattern? They signed a ton of outfielders. The Nats are clearly betting on "up-the-middle" athleticism to be the identity of this franchise by 2028. It’s a hitting-heavy approach that signals a departure from the old "pitching-first" philosophy of the Mike Rizzo era.
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What’s Actually Happening with CJ Abrams?
The rumors about a CJ Abrams extension have been curiously quiet. This is the one that actually keeps people up at night. He’s the face of the team. He’s the energy.
The Nats settled with him to avoid arbitration (along with Luis Garcia and Gore), but the "long-term" talk has hit a wall. Whether that’s because the Lerner family is still flirting with a sale or because the new front office wants to see one more year of consistency, nobody knows for sure.
But you’ve gotta wonder: if you don’t lock him up soon, does he become the next superstar to walk?
Actionable Next Steps for Nats Fans
The "news rumors" might feel like a whirlwind, but here is what you should actually be watching as we head into February:
- Watch the 40-man roster churn: The Nats are active on the waiver wire. They just grabbed Paxton Schultz and Joey Wiemer. These aren't stars, but they are the "glue" players that a 70-win team needs to reach 81.
- Monitor the Mackenzie Gore "Godfather" watch: Keep an eye on the Orioles. They still need an arm. If they get desperate, the Gore trade rumors could reignite in a heartbeat.
- Check the spring training health of Keibert Ruiz: He had a rough 2025 with concussions and a plummeting OPS. If he doesn't look right in March, the Nats might have a massive, expensive problem behind the plate.
- Follow the jersey numbers: It sounds silly, but top prospects like Brady House (now #12) and Robert Hassell III (#6) changing to "big league" numbers usually means the team expects them to spend most of the year in D.C.
The 2026 season isn't about winning the World Series—it's about finally figuring out which of these young guys are actually part of the future. The rumors are just the noise around that discovery process. Keep your eyes on the kids; that's where the real story is.