By james art 
The Washington Nationals have been rebuilding for seemingly their entire 20-year existence, outside of their 2019 World Series.
After that run, the team immediately went back to rebuilding, though the current layoff isn’t as long as previous ones, and the team looks poised to be a potent spoiler in the National League East in 2025.
Their current trajectory certainly has people scratching their heads in confusion over their refusal to add big-name talent via free agency this offseason, something the Los Angeles Dodgers have continued to do since winning the 2024 World Series.
The Dodgers’ shopping spree drew the ire of MLB fans across the country, with many arguing it was ruining the sport.
While excessive deferments via a loophole in the current CBA is something that needs to be addressed in the next CBA, excessive spending isn’t ruining the sport as much as the refusal of teams like the Nationals to do so.
“Through an influx of young talent, led by top prospects James Wood and Dylan Crews,” wrote Zachary D. Bleacher Report’s Reimer, “the team of 24 it looked like the 2010 team that ended up being upgraded with Jason Werth.”
“A repeat of this maneuver could put the Nationals on the fringes of the wild card race.” As the team only made waves, 2025 instead, it looks like another year of recovery.”
While Reimer is more pessimistic in his assessment of Washington’s position and how their young core will take another step forward in 2025, he is aware that the club has had to add any number of big-name veterans through free agency. to speed up the process.
The Nationals needed a first baseman this offseason, perhaps their most pressing need, and instead of signing the best name on the market in Christian Walker, they went with Josh Bell.
Bell is no slouch and can periodically put in periods of solid production at the plate, but Walker would provide the club with much better defense while consistently producing at a high level offensively.
There is still time, and the club could add a veteran like Jack Flaherty to its rotation to improve its depth.
However, as it stands, Los Angeles has become an even better unit this winter than it was in 2024, while Washington has remained largely stagnant with its refusal to spend, and that refusal to spend is ruining the sport far more than any other team. who overspends.