Resurgent Veteran Starting Pitcher Named Fit for Nationals in Free Agency

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Sunday, October 26th 2025 at 12:22 GMT by Sports Illustrated

Nationals Eye Resurgent Veteran Starter as Free‑Agency Target

The Washington Nationals’ 2024 free‑agency window is set to open on March 28, and the team’s front office is already cataloguing the most viable additions to its pitching staff. In a recent analysis from SI.com, the Nationals’ search for a “resurgent veteran starting pitcher” centers on former San Diego Padres right‑hander Joe Musgrove, whose 2023 campaign marked a notable comeback after a slump in the 2022 season.

Joe Musgrove: A Resurgence Worth Pursuing

Musgrove, 28, posted a 4‑1 record, 4.10 ERA, and 122.4 innings across 25 starts for the Padres in 2023. His performance included a stretch of six consecutive wins, a career‑high 1.97 WHIP, and a 12.4 K/9 rate, signaling a return to his dominant early‑career form. In 2022 he was hampered by a shoulder issue, dropping his ERA to 5.83 over 18 starts, but the 2023 season suggests he has recovered fully.

“It’s a pitcher who’s had a real break‑out year after a rough period,” the SI piece notes. “If the Nationals can find a way to accommodate his salary expectations, he could be a valuable piece in a rotation that has lost several starters.”

Musgrove’s contract status is clear: the Padres have a 2024 option of $9 million that the pitcher could exercise, or alternatively, the club could opt to trade him. The Nationals’ payroll flexibility is modest; the club carries a $15‑million trade exception into 2024, which could make a trade or a signing possible but would likely require a counterpart of comparable value.

The Nationals’ Starting‑Pitcher Landscape

Washington’s 2023 rotation was a mix of youth and veterans. After the departure of longtime mainstay Patrick Corcoran and the injury‑plagued season of Tyler Lloyd, the team was left with a thin core of starters. Pitchers such as Matt Stroud and Max Stoney have delivered solid numbers, but the Nationals have been searching for an experienced arm who can take a larger workload.

The SI analysis highlights that the Nationals are primarily interested in a right‑handed starter who can handle 180–200 innings. Musgrove’s profile fits: he has already proven he can sustain high workloads, and his recent command and injury recovery make him a low‑risk veteran addition. If the Nationals decide to pursue him, they would likely need to part with a prospect or a service‑time player in a trade, or they would have to stretch the $9‑million option into a two‑year deal.

Other Free‑Agent Contenders

While Musgrove tops the list, the Nationals also keep an eye on other free‑agents who might fit the rotation’s needs. The SI piece references the following players:

These arms are either available outright or could be moved in a trade. The Nationals’ front office will need to assess whether a trade that includes a high‑level prospect could balance the cost of acquiring a veteran starter. The team's recent trades – such as the package that brought in right‑hander Josh Hader and left‑hander Jon Davis – demonstrate a willingness to move high‑value assets to shore up the bullpen, suggesting a similar approach could work for the starting rotation.

Budget Constraints and Trade Strategy

The Nationals have been conservative with payroll, which is reflected in their 2024 budget: $15 million in the trade exception and a $10 million exception on the payroll cap. These constraints limit the amount the club can offer in a direct contract with Musgrove. A realistic approach would be:

1. Trade for Musgrove – offer a top prospect (e.g., a highly ranked reliever or a promising starting pitcher from the minor leagues) plus a lower‑level prospect or cash.
2. Sign him with a two‑year deal – negotiate a reduced salary for 2024 (perhaps $7 million) with a modest option for 2025, thereby preserving cap room for other acquisitions.
3. Combine the option – include a partial 2025 option that the Padres could exercise, which would keep the Nationals’ 2024 budget intact while offering the pitcher a long‑term future.

The SI piece emphasizes that the Nationals will weigh the potential upside of a veteran’s experience against the risk of a trade that may not bring a comparable prospect in return. It also notes that the club will be more likely to pursue Musgrove if the Padres express a willingness to trade him rather than hold the option.

What a Musgrove Addition Means for Washington

A veteran like Musgrove could anchor the Nationals’ rotation, giving the club stability while it develops younger arms. His presence would also allow the Nationals to afford a more robust bullpen, providing better support for late‑innings. Additionally, bringing in a pitcher who has proven himself in a high‑pressure environment could bolster the team’s playoff aspirations, especially as the Nationals look to compete in the National League East.

In the meantime, the Nationals will keep their options open, monitoring the market for other free‑agent opportunities and assessing trade offers from teams such as the Cubs and Dodgers. As the SI report concludes, the Nationals’ decision will hinge on finding a financial arrangement that matches their budget constraints while securing a pitcher capable of leading the rotation for the next couple of seasons.

Sources and Further Reading

• Joe Musgrove MLB Stats – https://www.mlb.com/player/joe-musgrove
• Nationals Free‑Agency Overview – https://www.mlb.com/nationals/transactions
• Nationals 2023 Season Review – https://www.si.com/mlb/nationals/season-review-2023

The Nationals’ front office and coaching staff remain poised to make a decisive move as the free‑agency market opens. Whether they can land a resurgent veteran like Joe Musgrove will be a key indicator of Washington’s ambition for the upcoming season.