Washington

Nationals

The 30-year-old Gasper has hit an impressive .303/.406/.512 in 117 games in Triple-A over the last three years, but he came in at just .133/.250/.195 in 13 games with the Red Sox in 2024 and 45 with the Twins last season. That he’s a legitimate catcher also capable of handling first and second gives him some utility as a 26th man, but he needs some of that Triple-A offense to surface.

Rushed to the majors because of his team’s misfortunes, Lara debuted as a 22-year-old for the Nationals last season, posting an 8.79 ERA in 14 1/3 innings out of the pen. He didn’t show much upside as a minor league starter, in part because of his lack of velocity, but he might be interesting as a reliever. We imagine he’ll be claimed, even if it’s just by a team (hey, Orioles) that will DFA him again a couple of days later.

Penrod pitched his way to the majors in 2024, making seven appearances out of the Boston bullpen, but he was a mess last year, finishing with a 7.83 ERA in six starts and 20 relief appearances in the minors for the Red Sox and Dodgers. He walked a total of 67 batters in 33 1/3 innings. He’ll almost certainly have to prove something in Triple-A before getting another chance.

No word yet on the financial terms of the deal, but the two sides have reached an agreement rather than going to an arbitration hearing. The 27-year-old right-hander had requested $900,000 from the Nationals when figures were exchanged while the club countered at $825,000. Expect the agreement to land near the midpoint. Cavalli is expected to open the 2026 season in the Nats’ rotation and is becoming a popular late-round breakout option for fantasy purposes.

Gott last pitched for the Nationals from 2016-2018 and returns to the organization to compete for a bullpen spot during spring training. The 33-year-old journeyman holds a serviceable 4.65 ERA — 4.24 FIP — 1.31 WHIP and 222/88 K/BB ratio across 243 2/3 innings over 255 career appearances since 2015. He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since the 2023 campaign when he made 64 appearances between the Mets and Mariners. He spent last year pitching at the Triple-A level while working his way back from Tommy John surgery.

One imagines there’s some pressure on the newly acquired Ford to be in Nationals camp gaining reps with all of the team’s pitchers, but at least Great Britain probably isn’t in for a lengthy WBC run. It still might lessen his chances of breaking camp with the Nationals, though giving Keibert Ruiz one last chance as a starter is probably the team’s plan anyway.

The Jays attempted to sneak Schultz through waivers following their addition of Kazuma Okamoto on Saturday, but the Nationals were ready to pounce. The 28-year-old hurler compiled a 4.38 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a solid 28/8 K/BB ratio across 24 2/3 frames for the Blue Jays in 2025. He should have a strong chance of cracking the Nats’ Opening Day bullpen in a middle relief role.

The Nationals weighed non-tendering García after he slipped both offensively and defensively last season, but the offensive decline, at least, was not backed up by his career-best exit velocity numbers. It sounds like he’ll play some first base in spring training, but the Nationals haven’t added a second baseman to push him off the position. They still might wind up bringing in a first baseman instead.

Irvin is coming off a brutal season that saw him post a 5.70 ERA in 33 starts, but he’s proven durable, throwing 327 2/3 innings the last two years, and quantity is just as important as quality for the Nationals right now. He probably will need to bounce back some in order to avoid being non-tendered next winter.

Gore is nearly doubling his 2025 salary of $2.89 million after going 5-15 with a 4.17 ERA and a 185/64 K/BB in 159 2/3 innings last season. Barring a highly unexpected Triple-A demotion at some point, he’s in line to become a free agent after the 2027 season.