The Washington Nationals face scrutiny for parting ways with former closer Kyle Finnegan, who remains a free agent. Predictably, he has drawn interest from teams like the Chicago Cubs, a franchise looking to revamp its roster and solidify its bullpen. Finnegan had a stellar first half of the previous season, posting a 2.45 ERA with 25 saves, leading to an All-Star selection. However, his performance faltered in the second half, resulting in a 5.79 ERA, prompting the Nationals to non-tender him.

As the Cubs consider adding Finnegan, they currently rely on rookie Porter Hodge as their closer, who performed admirably last season. However, bringing in the experienced Finnegan could provide stability, allowing Hodge to further develop without the pressure of being a full-time closer. Meanwhile, the Nationals have found a possible replacement in Jorge Lopez, who had a rough start in New York but bounced back with solid performances in Chicago.

The Atlanta Braves are facing a significant challenge in their bullpen as right-hander Joe Jiménez is sidelined due to surgery and lefty A.J. Minter is reportedly heading to the New York Mets. Despite signing several pitchers to minor league contracts this offseason, the Braves have yet to make a significant addition to their bullpen. With the offseason clock ticking, they are exploring affordable relief pitcher options for potential Major League contracts.

Colin Poche, a left-handed pitcher formerly with the Tampa Bay Rays, is on the market after posting a 3.86 ERA in 43 appearances in 2024, although he had previously achieved a 2.23 ERA when healthy. Lucas Sims, once a Brave, had a mixed year with the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox, finishing with a 3.57 ERA but showing promise in September after recovering from injury.

Other candidates include Matt Moore, who had a successful stint before regressing in 2024, and Kyle Finnegan, a 2024 All-Star with the Nationals. The Braves are looking for low-risk, high-reward signings to bolster their bullpen as the new season approaches.

The Washington Nationals are making significant strides in addressing roster weaknesses as they approach the upcoming season. The team's first base now appears fortified with the acquisition of Nathaniel Lowe via trade with the Texas Rangers and the re-signing of veteran Josh Bell. However, the third-base position still poses challenges that require attention. Heading into Spring Training, catcher Keibert Ruiz's ability to maintain his second-half performance will also be critical for the lineup's overall strength.

On the pitching front, the Nationals secured veteran Mike Soroka, who is expected to bolster either the starting rotation or the bullpen. Trevor Williams has also been retained for the starting lineup, which previously lacked experience. Although MacKenzie Gore leads the team in Major League experience, the bullpen remains a pressing concern, especially following the trade that sent Robert Garcia to Texas.

One of the more surprising offseason moves was non-tendering closer Kyle Finnegan, who had enjoyed a standout season with 38 saves and an All-Star selection. This decision came after failed arbitration talks and has left the late-game situation precarious. However, the slow-moving relief pitching market may allow the Nationals to re-sign Finnegan at a reduced cost, providing an opportunity to enhance his value while addressing a key roster gap. Additionally, Jacob Burnes, who had a modest performance last year, could also return on a Minor League deal if he doesn't receive a better offer from other teams.

The Washington Nationals have had a quiet offseason despite entering free agency with significant financial resources. The team has avoided bad contracts, resulting in a low payroll, but has yet to make any impactful additions to their roster.

After non-tendering their closer, the Nationals are in search of a new one, alongside a veteran starting pitcher. They also have positional needs at third and first base, as well as designated hitter. While several free agents are still available, the Nationals must act swiftly to bolster their young core.

The Washington Nationals are facing a crucial offseason as they enter the Winter Meetings with significant roster gaps. With a young, promising team and financial resources, they aim to accelerate their rebuilding process.

Despite their potential, the Nationals have been quiet in the free agency market. They need to address key positions, including first base, third base, and starting pitching, as well as a surprising void in the bullpen after non-tendering All-Star closer Kyle Finnegan.

Finnegan had a stellar first half in 2024 but struggled in the latter part of the season. His performance has drawn interest from the Chicago Cubs, who are looking to bolster their bullpen after a disappointing season.