Washington
3 Reasons Why Washington Nationals Should Trade Their All Star Veteran
As the Washington Nationals head into the offseason, there are going to be a lot of important decisions about what is the next step for the franchise.
In 2024, the Nationals might have had an identical record to the season before, but it felt like it was a step in the right direction. A lot of the young and talented players for Washington played a lot of games, and some of their elite prospects began to make an impact.
From the Juan Soto trade a few years prior, the Nationals had CJ Abrams make the All-Star team, James Wood come up and produce very well for half a season, and MacKenzie Gore emerged as the best pitcher on the staff.
Even though there are a lot of young players with a lot of upside on the team, the Nationals are lacking veterans. That could be an area that they will try to address this offseason, but they could also wait another year before trying to compete in order to let their young talent continue to develop.
If they choose to wait, moving one of their veteran assets would be a wise move. Even though he was an All-Star last year and the closer for the team, here are three reasons why Washington should trade Kyle Finnegan.
Anytime a good relief pitcher becomes available, he is usually a hot commodity among contending playoff teams. As shown in the playoffs this season, with multiple teams playing bullpen games, relief pitchers are becoming more and more valuable.
While Finnegan isn’t an elite closer, he is a very good relief pitcher who could help a lot of teams. If he was to become available, there would be plenty of suitors for him this winter.
With the value of a good relief pitcher to a team being so important, the return in a trade for one is also good. Last campaign, the right-hander totaled 38 saves and a 3.68 ERA on a 71-win team. Finnegan will be under contract through 2025 before hitting free agency, as moving him with a full season to play compared to a half of season obviously increases his value.
Even though it feels like the Nationals are getting close to competing again, 2025 might not be the season. Next year, players like James Wood and Dylan Crews will be looking to play in their first full seasons in the Majors, as being a playoff team next campaign might be unrealistic.
Barring some big moves in trades or free agency, 2025 will more than likely be another year of development for some of the young players, with hopefully a nice increase in wins. If the team doesn’t make some moves to compete in 2025, there is no reason to hold on to their veteran closer.
The Washington Commanders are looking for a bounce back performance from their offense, and they’ll need their wide receivers to take a step up to do so.
Terry McLaurin is the clear No. 1 option at the position, but after him, there are several questions about how the rest of the room will shake out. The No. 2 spot is wide open, and there are several players who could fit the role and others in David Blough’s new scheme. Analysts Santana Moss, Logan Paulsen and Fred Smoot broke down the position on one of the most recent “Command Center” podcast episodes, and as one of the franchise’s all-time best receivers, Moss had a few thoughts on the group. Here’s his assessment on three wideouts and how they could fit into the offense.
“Knowing that he can play both outside and inside, I would think with some of the guys and their size and their experience, I would mainly probably see Antonio attack that middle. I think his route running ability is already to the level of some of these guys who have already played at this level. And just showing me that you don’t look like that this is new to you … He ain’t scared to go out and compete against these guys. To me — and we don’t know anything; we’re just sitting here speculating and assuming — I’d say he’s a slot guy out the gate.”
“I think if I had to just say if I look at that paper, and I asked any coach in this building by name how they think this guy played…if you tell me that Burks played well this offseason, he would be my No. 2 out the gate. He would be my No. 2 wide receiver because one: he brings size, he brings speed, he brings a gear at that size that a lot of people ain’t comfortable checking … You got a guy with size, leaping ability, the catch radius and can run.”
“They talk about how he was one of those guys from Day 1 that could play every position, and that’s stemming from him being a quarterback. Quarterbacks learn the game a little different from just a regular skill position guy. Luke came in here, and he knew X, he knew Z, he knew Gator. When you have those intangibles and you have that kind of mindset when it comes to playing that position, they can use him where they want to use him. That’s why I said he’s a great committee guy. He’s a guy that I know I’m gonna have on special teams as a returner, and guess what? If he’s not the starter, I’m okay with that because I know I’m going to ask more of him if somebody needs to take a breather.
WASHINGTON — The Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., is featuring Georgia among its participating states. The fair had to close for several hours Friday because of the heat, but reopened to visitors.
Georgia’s booth showcases the state’s No. 1 industry: agriculture. The display focuses on peaches, peanuts, Vidalia onions and poultry.
One fairgoer said Georgia’s agricultural offerings were a surprise.
“I was not aware that you did eggs in Georgia. I should have figured that out since Waffle House is pretty much in every town, but that was a learning, and then, of course going along with eggs is chickens,” the attendee said.
All states are represented at the fair, though not all are participating directly.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Storm Team4 is tracking severe thunderstorms, flood watches and flash flood warnings. See all weather alerts here.
4 things to know about the weather:
- Strong storms and downpours taper off as a cooler pattern settles into the DMV
- Temperatures fall back below normal for early July with highs mainly in the 80s
- Periods of clouds and scattered showers/storms remain possible through midweek
- Humidity stays up there, but the dangerous heat is taking a break (thank goodness)
After a heat wave and some strong thunderstorms, the weather pattern across Washington and the DMV turns noticeably less hot this week.
A frontal boundary settling south of the region will bring cooler temperatures, more clouds, and periodic chances for showers through midweek. While it won’t be a washout, keep the umbrella nearby as unsettled conditions linger. Temperatures remain much more comfortable compared to the recent heat wave.
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
MONDAY
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and storms possible
A few pockets of heavier rain cannot be ruled out
Humid, but significantly cooler. Heat Index and low 90s
Wind: East to northeast 5–10 mph
Chance of rain: 50%
Highs: 85° to 89°
MONDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy with a few lingering showers
Mild and humid
Wind: Light
Lows: 71°–74°
TUESDAY
Mostly cloudy and cooler
Showers still possible
Less intense humidity compared to previous days
Highs: 82°–86°
WEDNESDAY
Mostly cloudy with a few breaks of sun; highs in the lower 80s
A few showers possible
THURSDAY
Warmer and more humid as sunshine returns
Scattered afternoon storms possible
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
-
Politics31 seconds ago
Preliminary Hearing for Man Accused of Killing Charlie Kirk Starts in Utah
-
Lifestyle31 minutes agoWhat a divorce coach wishes couples knew before ending a marriage
-
Technology39 minutes agoHoto’s PixelDrive screwdriver is down to $60, matching its best price
-
World46 minutes agoCuba plunges into third major blackout this year as power crisis worsens
-
Politics49 minutes agoTop Platner ally turns on him after bombshell rape allegation rocks campaign: ‘Red line’
-
Health54 minutes agoExperimental vaccine shows promise against dangerous intestinal illness
-
Sports1 hour agoEngland’s Jordan Henderson officially ruled out after freak fall causes fracture, opts for surgery
-
Technology1 hour agoStarship delivery robots leave campuses for cities
