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Mitchell Parker and DJ Herz are two promising young pitchers for the Nationals as they head into the 2025 season. Parker, 25, had a noteworthy rookie year in 2024, finishing with a 7-10 record and a 4.29 ERA over 29 starts, while showcasing resilience despite some inconsistency down the stretch. He struck out 133 batters and impressed early on, filling in for an injured teammate. Meanwhile, 24-year-old DJ Herz also displayed potential in his rookie season with a record of 4-9 and a 4.16 ERA across 19 games. Herz overcame early command issues to end strong with a 2.76 ERA over his last 10 starts, drawing comparisons to Stephen Strasburg due to standout performances. Both pitchers will be key to the Nationals' future, with their development critical to the team's success.

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In this episode of the Talk Nats Podcast Dan discusses the thrilling news of the Washington Nationals winning the 2024 Draft Lottery, securing the coveted No. 1 pick for the third time in franchise history. Despite finishing with a losing record for a fifth consecutive year, the team's luck changed as General Manager Mike Rizzo expressed pride in the organization and the value of the pick. With the draft scheduled for July 13, all eyes are on promising prospect Ethan Holliday, a 17-year-old infielder, while other talents like Jace Laviolette and Seth Hernandez are also in consideration. The episode emphasizes optimism for the future, as the Nats aim to rebuild and return to competitiveness by 2025.

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The Nationals podcast discusses the significant news of Juan Soto signing a remarkable 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, a move that deeply impacts Nationals fans given Soto's previous ties to D.C. and the competitive nature of the NL East. The Mets' owner, Steve Cohen, is determined to win a World Series, reflecting a broader trend in baseball toward aggressive spending. As the Nationals aim to build a contender by 2025, they are also seeing the benefits of the Soto trade through emerging talents like James Wood and CJ Abrams, although they still face roster gaps that need addressing ahead of the Winter Meetings. Ultimately, the upcoming season presents a crucial test for the young Nats team as they adapt to a tougher division.

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The Nationals face a challenging offseason as they aim to bolster their lineup, particularly in addressing their significant power shortage, having ranked near the bottom in home runs for the past two seasons. With emerging talents like James Wood and Dylan Crews set to debut and the potential addition of 2021 first-round pick Brady House, there's hope for improvement in slugging. However, to truly enhance their offensive capability, the team will need to seek established power hitters through free agency, especially for the first base position, which has been a weak spot since Ryan Zimmerman's retirement and Josh Bell's trade.

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In the latest episode of the Talk Nats Podcast, the discussion centers on the upcoming 2024-25 offseason and the uncertainty surrounding Juan Soto's potential return to the Nationals. At just 26 years old, Soto is poised to be one of the biggest free agents, but with competition from teams like the Yankees and Mets, the Nats face challenges in re-signing him. The conversation highlights the impact of Soto's trade to the Padres in 2022 and the implications it has on the team's future competitiveness, especially relying on emerging talents like James Wood and CJ Abrams. With the Nationals struggling in recent seasons and needing significant player development alongside strategic free agency moves, the prospects of reuniting with Soto appear slim. The host emphasizes the need for the Nats to demonstrate a credible plan for contention to entice Soto, while reflecting on past drafting and development decisions that could have altered the current rebuilding phase.

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James Wood, a 22-year-old outfielder, was acquired by the Nationals in a high-profile trade from the Padres in August 2022. After making his MLB debut on July 1, 2024, he showcased potential with a solid performance, registering a .264 batting average and notable on-base and slugging percentages. Despite a challenging stretch early in his season, Wood rebounded to demonstrate impressive plate discipline and power, highlighted by an OPS of .862 in his final games. Moving forward, he shows immense offensive potential, particularly with a high exit velocity and low chase rate, although he can improve by being more aggressive at the plate and enhancing his defensive skills, especially in left field. With guidance from manager Davey Martinez, who sees him as a potential superstar, the focus will be on achieving consistency and refining his approach as he continues to develop in his young career.

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The Washington Nationals have transitioned from being a high-spending team to focusing on rebuilding over the past three years. Despite their minimal spending during this period, the team's progress in rebuilding has led to calls for increased investment in the upcoming winter. The Nationals are looking to strengthen their roster for the 2025 season by targeting experienced bullpen support, an impactful bat, and a quality starting pitcher. While there are differing views within the organization regarding the potential increase in payroll, the ownership's influence on the budget is crucial, with expectations for an uptick in spending after the 2024 season. With minimal financial commitments and room for improvements, it is anticipated that the team should have the resources to make the necessary additions to the roster and be competitive in the upcoming season

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The recent developments for the Washington Nationals include the demotion of CJ Abrams to Triple-A Rochester, citing internal reasons rather than performance issues, which will not affect his arbitration status. Manager Martinez expressed hope for Abrams' improvement and emphasized the team's support for him. Meanwhile, MacKenzie Gore delivered an outstanding performance against the Cubs, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning and leading the Nationals to a 5-1 victory, showcasing his potential as a staff ace. Joey Gallo also made a significant offensive contribution with a three-run homer, providing crucial insurance runs for Gore's pitching.

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The Nationals faced the Marlins in a game that started with a promising three-run lead but ended in a disheartening 6-3 loss. Despite a strong start and early lead, the Nationals fell flat and committed three errors, contributing to their downfall. Manager Davey Martinez expressed disappointment with the team's performance and highlighted the need for better defense and consistent play. Martinez fielded a lineup that included promising young players CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews, and James Wood, who played a key role in the Nationals' early lead. Pitcher Mitchell Parker delivered a strong performance, but the lack of run support put pressure on the Nationals' bullpen. The team missed several opportunities to extend their lead and struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position, ultimately leading to their defeat despite some bright spots like Crews' impressive catch in right-center field and Parker's efficient pitching display.

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