We’ve been waiting all winter for the reliever market to heat up. Finally, with two weeks to go before pitchers and catchers report across Florida and Arizona, we’re starting to see action.

Just not by the Nationals. Yet.

Over the course of 24 hours Tuesday through Wednesday, six prominent late-inning relievers either signed as free agents or were traded to new clubs. The list includes bona fide closers like Carlos Estevez (two years, $22 million with Royals), Kirby Yates (one year, $13 million with Dodgers) and Ryan Pressly (one year, $14 million with Cubs) and noted setup men Taylor Rogers (one year, $12 million with Reds), Tommy Kahnle (one year, $7.75 million with Tigers) and Ryne Stanek (one year, $4.5 million with Mets).

It often just takes one move to trigger an avalanche, and it does appear that’s what is now happening with the reliever market. The next question: Will the Nats dive in themselves?

We’ve noted several times how much the Nationals bullpen is lacking in proven arms after losing Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey, Dylan Floro, Robert Garcia and Jacob Barnes from last year’s group. So far, they’ve added only one experienced reliever in Jorge Lopez (one year, $3 million) to go along with holdover Derek Law. Young left-hander Jose A. Ferrer figures to be a prominent member of the group, and Rule 5 draft pick Evan Reifert figures to get a serious look this spring as the club decides whether to put him on the Opening Day roster or offer him back to the Rays.

Most of the attention this time of year – and, really, most of the offseason – is on big names. Sluggers. Starting pitchers. Free agents seeking multi-year deals, hopefully helping transform franchises in the process.

But there’s never been a Hot Stove League that ultimately wasn’t filled with dozens of relievers joining new clubs. And very often, those seemingly lower-profile moves prove to be just as important as the big-ticket ones.

The Nationals almost always are involved in this market, and there’s every reason to believe they once again will be involved this winter. (Or, perhaps, this spring.)

Mike Rizzo added a host of experienced relievers prior to the 2024 season, and many of those guys were signed not in November, December or January, but rather in February, even after pitchers and catchers reported for camp. Only one bullpen arm was signed prior to Feb. 1: Dylan Floro, who also got the only major league contract of the eventual bunch, for a modest $2.25 million.

Then came a flurry of minor league signings as camp was beginning. Richard Bleier and Robert Gsellman on Feb. 2. Luis Perdomo on Feb. 8. Jacob Barnes on Feb. 16. Derek Law on Feb. 22. Matt Barnes on Feb. 27.

It’s still early November, so the Hot Stove is far from heating up. But with this past week getting us further removed from the end of the World Series, the offseason – specifically free agency – has officially begun.

For the Nationals, that means it may be time to make some significant offseason additions to the major league roster after years of waiting for their in-house prospects to reach the bigs, opening the window for them to compete again.

Mike Rizzo reportedly said at the General Manager Meetings this week in San Antonio that he thinks the Nats could make a big free agent signing this winter if it makes sense for the club, which would be a stark contrast to the organization’s philosophy over the last three offseasons.

So with that in mind, let’s take a look at MLB Trade Rumors’ list of the top 50 free agents and which players its staff predicts will land in Washington …

1B PETE ALONSO
Top 50 rank: 7
Contract: Five years, $125 million

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