Nationals GM Mike Rizzo spoke to reporters, together with Bobby Blanco of MASN, yesterday for the primary time because the membership shipped right-hander Hunter Harvey to the Royals in trade for third base prospect Cayden Wallace and the thirty ninth choice within the 2024 draft. Rizzo was effusive in his reward of Harvey, who he described as an “organizational success story,” however famous that he felt that the commerce was “vital for us to do…for the way forward for the franchise.”
The subject of the Harvey deal, which occurred despite the right-hander being below group management for the 2025 season, led naturally to questions concerning the standing of outfielder Lane Thomas and nearer Kyle Finnegan, each of whom are additionally below management for one season after 2024. When requested the provision of the pair, Rizzo confirmed that each can be found, although he emphasised that the additional yr of management means he isn’t essentially in a rush to commerce both participant. When discussing Thomas, Rizzo mentioned that as a result of the membership has him below management past the 2024 marketing campaign, “we’re going to do a deal that we’re comfy with. And if we don’t, we gained’t do a deal.” He went on to say that he considered Finnegan “The identical manner, precisely” and that the membership was “not going to do away with [Finnegan] straightforward.”
Whereas it’s not solely clear what the Nationals’ present asking value is for both Thomas or Finnegan, it’s hardly a shock that the membership’s GM is indicating that he gained’t be dealing both participant until his value is met. Thomas, 29 subsequent month, has been a gradual common for the Nationals all through their rebuild with a .256/.317/.438 slash line (106 wRC+) since first becoming a member of the membership partway by way of the 2021 season. He loved one thing of a breakout season final yr, slugging 28 house runs whereas swiping 20 bases and hitting a strong .268/.315/.468 in 156 video games for the Nats. Thomas hasn’t hit for fairly as a lot energy in 2024 however has been an much more prolific base stealer, swiping 24 baggage in simply 306 journeys to the plate to date this yr. In a market with out many high quality hitters who’re clearly obtainable, it’s straightforward to think about Thomas getting curiosity from golf equipment in search of assist in the outfield such because the Mariners, Dodgers, or Phillies.
As for Finnegan, the 32-year-old is within the midst of a profession yr in his fourth season because the Nationals’ nearer. In 40 2/3 innings of labor this yr, the righty has already racked up 26 saves whereas pitching to a sterling 2.43 ERA and putting out a strong 25.8% of batters confronted. House runs have been a difficulty for Finnegan in his profession as he’s allowed 15.7% of his fly balls to go away the yard, together with 16.7% this yr. That’s left him with a considerably pedestrian 4.05 FIP, however his prolonged observe report as a top quality high-leverage reduction arm with Washington (the place he’s posted a profession 3.37 ERA in 267 1/3 innings of labor) ought to nonetheless make him among the many most engaging reduction arms obtainable for groups in want for assist in the late innings.
In different Nationals information, supervisor Davey Martinez advised reporters (together with Mark Zuckerman of MASN) that longtime prime pitching prospect Cade Cavalli has been coping with a bout of “useless arm” whereas rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure he underwent in early 2023. That difficulty was compounded additional by Cavalli catching the flu, and that led the Nationals to restart the right-hander’s throwing program. The correct-hander final appeared in a minor league rehab sport on June 21 and has solely simply begun to ramp again up, although Martinez recommended that the membership nonetheless expects him to pitch this yr. Cavalli has only one massive league begin below his belt however regarded good on the Triple-A stage throughout his final full season again in 2022, when he posted a 3.71 ERA in 20 begins whereas putting out 25.9% of batters confronted.
