Whether or not to sign Alex Bregman is a topic of much debate here. There are a variety of concerns. Some relate to blocking prospects; while others are concerned about the length of the deal. Bottom line — however you look at it — signing Bregman makes the team much better in 2025.
Of course news broke that Josh Bell was acquired as a free agent which keeps Bregman as a possibility, but most likely removes the Nats from going after Anthony Santander.
Included here are some different scenarios that address the concerns relating to blocking prospects.
Hopefully, the declining market for 3B will convince Bregman to accept a 6-year deal. He is currently holding out for 7-years per rumors.
An interesting article hit that Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, might have overplayed his hand and has cost Bregman some teams that wanted him because those teams went in another direction.
Scenario 1
Sign Bregman. Move him to 2B when Luis Garcia Jr. leaves as a FA. Promote one of Brady House, Cayden Wallace, or Yohandy Morales to be the starting 3B. One or more will likely already be on the roster.
Don: Barring a trade, House is going to be on the 40 man roster in 2026 simply because he is Rule 5 eligible in December 2025. In this scenario, Morales may very well be slotted at 1B if Lowe goes the FA route as well. In the meantime, House being on the roster provides some flexibility because he can DH or play 3B and maybe even some 1B.
Steve: Bregman is the reigning AL Gold Glove winner. So much of Bregman’s value comes from defense, offense, and being a team leader. House will run out of MiLB options sooner than Garcia becomes a free agent so you might want go with a Scenario 2.
Andrew: They always say you find a spot for the best players. House, Wallace and Morales will each have to prove themselves. Also, don’t forget Trey Lipscomb. He might figure it out.
Scenario 2
Sign Bregman. Trade Garcia next off-season (or deadline) Promote House since he will need to be on the active roster.
Steve: Once House proves he is ready to take over, you trade Garcia. This is the scenario that I like. Remember, Boras made it easy when free agency opened to say that Bregman would be willing to play 2nd base, and he would probably be a Gold Glover there too.
Don: When I first started thinking about this, Scenario 1 was where I started. Given that Garcia still has two more years of control, and that House needs to be on the 26 man roster this winter, suggested this as a better option. Yes, you could trade House; but Garcia would likely net a much better return.
Andrew: Looking at Garcia’s page, was he Super-2 last year? That would give him team control through 2027. I’m not sure if that is accurate. If he is a free agent after 2026, your scenario has more urgency. Of course top prospect Seaver King then comes into focus also. Of course Abrams is a free agent after the 2028 season and that brings in another situation. If not Bregman, Scenario 5 is a short-term solution for 3rd base because Jose Tena is not a 3rd baseman in the defensive definition of the position. Since Anthony Rendon moved on after 2019, the Nats have only had a fill-in from Ildemaro Vargas, and 4 months of a decent defensive 3rd baseman with Jeimer Candelario. The rest has been some horrid defense.
Don: Correct, Garcia has 3 years of control. Assuming he does not regress, two years of control should mean a good return in a trade.
Scenario 3
Sign Bregman. Trade Garcia now. Abrams stays at SS, Nunez to 2B. In September promote House since he will need to be on the active roster due to Rule 5. Move Bregman to 2B.
Steve: Creative, but I would not move Bregman mid-season to 2nd base. I would get Brady House reps at 3rd base and have Bregman DH some and vice versa. This would be an opportunity for House to get some playing time at the MLB level. It might also be wise for House to get some reps at 1st base in the minors — because you never know.
Don: I agree Steve with your alternative. And if we do that, then maybe Abrams at 2B and Nunez at SS makes more sense. In my original thinking, I did not want to have to change both middle-infielders at basically the same time. Your idea of splitting time between 3B and DH makes more sense.
Andrew: I agree with both of you. But I could see Bregman getting a game here or there at 2nd base to see what he has.
Scenario 4
Sign Bregman. Trade Garcia now. Baker to 2B until House is ready. Once House is ready, move Bregman to 2B and House to 3B.
Don: By far the least likely. But who knows? I’ve long felt that Baker has a future in MLB. Is now the time to find out? Maybe Rizzo thinks so given he was the extra player added this past September. Or maybe that was just another favor to Dusty Baker.
Steve: Baker is a nice story. I don’t think you fill a hole and create another hole by trading Garcia who was a bright spot in 2024.
Andrew: Yes, Baker adds to the number of players. I agree with that thought about you don’t fill one hole and create another — unless you think Baker is good enough to not create a hole.
