Grading the 2024 Washington Nationals: pitching edition

Kyle Finnegan pitches in a win August 9, 2024. (Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats.com)

While we enjoy watching the MLB postseason, the Washington Nationals are once again playing golf in October. And that means it’s time again for our annual look at how each National performed in 2024.

Players here are assigned a letter grade or an “incomplete”. I would encourage you not to read too much into minuses or pluses, and to keep in mind that there is somewhat of a grading curve in effect. The expectations for a journeyman pitcher are and should be entirely different than the expectations for an established member of the team. Similarly, the expectations for a rookie aren’t the same as the expectations for a veteran. And, indeed, the expectations for a guy making the major league minimum are less than they are for a guy raking in tens of millions of dollars. (You know of whom I speak.)

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Take Me Out to the Ball Game: A Timeless Anthem

A Century-Old Classic

“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural touchstone that has captivated audiences for generations. Its enduring popularity is a testament to baseball’s timeless appeal and the music’s power to evoke emotion and nostalgia.

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Assembling a 2025 roster for the Nats

Assembling a roster starts with a reality check and that is called the budget. The Washington Nationals have many needs for the offseason, and they have to maximize their opportunities in Dollar/WAR acquisitions. Obviously, Juan Soto‘s +8.1 WAR would be a big plus if the Nationals acquired him — but as we know, Soto will have his choice of suitors. He would almost transform this Nats’ team from 71-wins to 80-wins by himself. The Nationals purged a lot of “addition by subtraction” off of the roster also. Certainly, -4.0 WAR will not be on next year’s roster, and that alone could take this team from 71-wins to 75-wins before any new acquisitions.

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The Washington Nationals’ Spirited Finale and a Season of Growth

Photo by Andrew Lang for TalkNats

As the curtains fell on the 2024 MLB regular season, the Washington Nationals took the field at Nationals Park with the drive and determination that were characteristic of a team undergoing a profound transformation. Their final game of the 2024 season against the Philadelphia Phillies, despite a 6-3 loss, highlighted both the strides made — and the challenges that remain.

With the Phillies securing a 95-win season, their most impressive record since 2011, we all watched that even a great record in the regular season means little in the postseason as the Phillies were quickly knocked out. Today, it is the offseason for both teams. Baseball can be cruel. Here’s the difference — the Nats were not supposed to make the postseason this year. The Nationals’ journey tells a story of young budding talent and hard-earned experience.

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A Hot Dog History: The All-American Bite of Baseball

The hot dog, a culinary staple of American cuisine, has found its perfect partner in the grand spectacle of baseball. The pairing is so iconic that it’s difficult to imagine one without the other. But how did this unlikely duo become so intertwined? Let’s delve into the history of hot dogs at baseball parks.

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The Nats’ Starting Pitcher Conundrum

The Washington Nationals finished 2024 with some surprise reinforcements at Starting Pitcher. Going into 2024, the Nats were reasonably sure MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin and Josiah Gray were going to be a part of the rotation going forward. They had veterans Patrick Corbin and Trevor Williams to lean on to share advice to the young core of pitchers but knew they would need to find at least 2 others to fill out a 5-man rotation.

Then one of their young core, Gray, struggled out of the gate and then was placed in the IL due to a flexor strain (a precursor to Tommy John). Looking back, it makes perfect sense he struggled early on if there were structural issues with the arm that later necessitated surgery.

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2025 Draft Lottery Odds

Another year; another MLB Draft Lottery. Just as we did for the 2023 and 2024 lotteries, a million simulations were run to see the probabilities for all the picks and not just the first pick.

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The Seventh-Inning Stretch: A Rich History

The seventh-inning stretch, a beloved tradition in baseball, involves fans standing up and stretching their legs during the seventh inning of a game. While this practice seems commonplace today, its origins are shrouded in a bit of mystery.

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The Thrill of the Game

Baseball isn’t just a sport; it’s a feeling. The Washington Nationals will soon win more games than not. Walking into that ballpark with a feeling you can win is important for fans. But it is more than that. When I step into a ballpark, I’m hit by the smell of fresh popcorn and hot dogs. The sound of a bat cracking against the ball is music to my ears. Every game unfolds like a story, full of excitement, tension, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s a home run that sends the crowd into a frenzy or an incredible catch that leaves everyone breathless, every pitch creates a new opportunity for magic. Isn’t there something special about watching your favorite team battle it out on the field?

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The free agents who can move the WAR up!

Obviously, Juan Soto‘s +8.1 WAR would be a big plus if the Washington Nationals acquired him. He would almost transform the team from 71-wins to 80-wins by himself. The Nationals purged a lot of “addition by subtraction” off of the roster also. Certainly, -4.0 WAR will not be on next year’s roster, and that alone could take this team from 71-wins to 75-wins. That is where we should begin before we roll the dice on Soto signing with the Nationals in the next 3-months.

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