The Washington Nationals are gearing up for a new season with a blend of young talent and veteran acquisitions, aiming to build a stronger roster compared to last year. Despite a D+ offseason grade from ESPN's David Schoenfield, the team made strategic moves by signing Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Bell, Paul DeJong, and Amed Rosario, who are expected to enhance their power-hitting capability. Additionally, the team retained Trevor Williams and added Michael Soroka and Shinnosuke Ogasawara to bolster their pitching staff.

While the Nationals are not expected to challenge for a playoff spot this year, they have set themselves up for future success by allowing their younger players to develop. The aim is to avoid rushing into free-agent signings that could derail the rebuilding process. This cautious approach is aimed at evaluating the performance of their prospects while ensuring they do not lose significant players in the process.