President of baseball ops: Paul Toboni · GM: Anirudh Kilambi · partial season
Ranks vs the 30 teams in 2026, or a custom range (defaults to every team-season since 1985, when our data starts).
Each position shows its top 3 by games (top = starter) — click "+more" for the rest. The letter is bats/throws; ⇄ marks a player traded mid-season. Starters are ranked by WAR, bullpen by holds; ★ marks the closer (most save chances). MLB Stats API.
| Player | fWAR |
|---|---|
| Foster Griffin | 1.9 |
| Curtis Mead | 1.5 |
| Jorbit Vivas | 0.7 |
| Joey Wiemer | 0.7 |
| Harry Ford | 0.4 |
| Carson Palmquist | 0.2 |
| Player | 2025 fWAR |
|---|---|
| MacKenzie Gore | 3.0 |
| José A. Ferrer | 1.4 |
| Michael Soroka | 1.2 |
| Alex Call | 0.8 |
| Kyle Finnegan | 0.6 |
| Jorge López | 0.3 |
WAR translated into tier-adjusted market value, then compared with what the player was paid by Nationals. Guaranteed contracts from the 2015-present contract-data period use the known contract period through 2026; everyone else is shown as a 2026 season snapshot.
| Player | Period | fWAR | Tier Market $M | Paid $M | Surplus $M | $ / WAR | Tier | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Wood | 2026 | +4.7 | +67.6 | 0.8 | +66.8 | $0.2M | 1.79× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Cade Cavalli | 2026 | +3.8 | +66.3 | 0.9 | +65.5 | $0.2M | 2.19× | Arbitration · 2026–2027 · $0.9M AAV |
| CJ Abrams | 2026 | +3.7 | +39.5 | 4.2 | +35.3 | $1.1M | 1.32× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $4.2M AAV |
| Jacob Young | 2026 | +2.7 | +34.0 | 0.8 | +33.2 | $0.3M | 1.60× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Andrew Alvarez | 2026 | +2.3 | +26.9 | 0.6 | +26.4 | $0.3M | 1.49× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Foster Griffin↔ | 2026 | +2.1 | +25.5 | 4.5 | +21.0 | $2.1M | 1.49× | Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $5.5M AAV |
| Daylen Lile | 2026 | +2.2 | +21.1 | 0.8 | +20.3 | $0.4M | 1.22× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Curtis Mead↔ | 2026 | +1.8 | +12.1 | 0.8 | +11.3 | $0.4M | 0.85× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Luis García Jr.↔ | 2026 | +2.4 | +15.8 | 5.6 | +10.3 | $2.3M | 0.82× | – |
| Joey Wiemer | 2026 | +0.8 | +5.6 | 0.2 | +5.4 | $0.3M | 0.83× | – |
| Andrés Chaparro | 2026 | +1.0 | +4.3 | 0.6 | +3.7 | $0.6M | 0.56× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Orlando Ribalta | 2026 | +0.4 | +4.3 | 0.7 | +3.7 | $1.6M | 1.34× | – |
| Jorbit Vivas | 2026 | +0.8 | +3.9 | 0.8 | +3.2 | $0.9M | 0.58× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Dylan Crews | 2026 | +0.5 | +3.2 | 0.6 | +2.6 | $1.2M | 0.83× | – |
| Brady House | 2026 | +0.6 | +2.6 | 0.2 | +2.4 | $0.4M | 0.58× | – |
| Jake Irvin | 2026 | +0.5 | +4.1 | 2.8 | +1.3 | $5.6M | 1.02× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $2.8M AAV |
| Harry Ford | 2026 | +0.4 | +1.8 | 0.8 | +0.9 | $1.9M | 0.52× | – |
| Brad Lord | 2026 | +0.3 | +1.5 | 0.8 | +0.7 | $2.8M | 0.67× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Matt Waldron↔ | 2026 | +0.1 | +0.6 | 0.1 | +0.5 | $1.3M | 1.02× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Zak Kent↔ | 2026 | +0.1 | +0.4 | 0.0 | +0.4 | $0.5M | 0.67× | – |
| Jake Bird↔ | 2026 | +0.0 | +0.1 | 0.2 | -0.1 | $8.9M | 0.67× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $1.0M AAV |
| Nasim Nuñez | 2026 | +0.1 | +0.6 | 0.8 | -0.2 | $6.3M | 0.56× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Riley Cornelio | 2026 | -0.0 | -0.2 | 0.0 | -0.2 | – | 0.67× | – |
| Julian Fernández | 2026 | -0.0 | -0.2 | 0.0 | -0.3 | – | 0.67× | – |
| Paxton Schultz | 2026 | +0.1 | +0.4 | 0.8 | -0.3 | $8.9M | 0.67× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Justin Lawrence↔ | 2026 | -0.2 | -1.0 | 0.2 | -1.2 | – | 0.67× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $1.2M AAV |
| Yovanny Cruz↔ | 2026 | -0.2 | -1.3 | 0.0 | -1.3 | – | 0.67× | – |
| Andre Granillo | 2026 | -0.3 | -1.4 | 0.1 | -1.5 | – | 0.67× | – |
| José Tena | 2026 | -0.1 | -0.7 | 0.8 | -1.5 | – | 0.69× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Drew Millas | 2026 | -0.2 | -0.9 | 0.8 | -1.7 | – | 0.52× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Cionel Pérez↔ | 2026 | -0.3 | -1.6 | 0.2 | -1.8 | – | 0.67× | – |
| Max Kranick | 2026 | -0.2 | -1.2 | 1.0 | -2.2 | – | 0.67× | Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $1.0M AAV |
| PJ Poulin | 2026 | -0.1 | -1.4 | 0.8 | -2.2 | – | 1.34× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Cole Henry | 2026 | -0.4 | -1.9 | 0.8 | -2.7 | – | 0.67× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Trevor Williams | 2025–2026 | +1.4 | +11.0 | 14.0 | -3.0 | $9.8M | 0.84× | Free Agent · 2025–2026 · $7.0M AAV |
| Ken Waldichuk | 2026 | -0.5 | -2.4 | 0.8 | -3.3 | – | 0.67× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Richard Lovelady↔ | 2026 | -0.4 | -4.2 | 0.7 | -5.0 | – | 1.34× | Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $1.0M AAV |
| Gus Varland | 2026 | -0.5 | -5.5 | 0.8 | -6.3 | – | 1.34× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Clayton Beeter | 2026 | -0.6 | -5.9 | 0.8 | -6.7 | – | 1.34× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Mitchell Parker | 2026 | -0.6 | -6.5 | 0.7 | -7.3 | – | 1.34× | – |
| Zack Littell↔ | 2026 | -0.6 | -4.9 | 2.7 | -7.6 | – | 1.02× | Free Agent · 2026–2027 · $7.0M AAV |
| Miles Mikolas | 2026 | -1.1 | -5.7 | 2.2 | -8.0 | – | 0.67× | Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $2.2M AAV |
| Keibert Ruiz | 2023–2026 | -0.1 | -0.3 | 18.5 | -18.8 | – | 0.52× | Pre-arb extension · 2023–2032 · $6.2M AAV |
| Jackson Rutledge | 2026 | -0.0 | -0.0 | 0.0 | -0.0 | – | 0.67× | – |
| Carson Palmquist | 2026 | +0.2 | +1.7 | – | – | – | 1.02× | – |
| Matt Krook↔ | 2026 | -0.2 | -1.3 | – | – | – | 0.67× | – |
| Tom Cosgrove | 2026 | -0.2 | -1.0 | – | – | – | 0.67× | – |
| Total | — | +26.2 | +305.4 | 74.3 | +231.7 | — | ||
Every graded 2026 deal involving the Nationals — best expected value first. Surplus is realized value in $M; 18 total.
What the front office was committed to as of 2026, 2026–2032. Guaranteed $ are contract commitments signed by 2026; arbitration & free-agent years are projected from service time. Hover a figure for its luxury-tax (CBT) & actual-cash values.
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax threshold | $244M | $247M | $250M | $253M | $256M | $259M | $262M |
| Guaranteed contracts | $26M | $14M | $6M | $6M | $6M | $6M | |
| Proj. arbitration | $7M | $1M | |||||
| Proj. pre-arbitration | $18M | ||||||
| Player benefits | $18M | $18M | $18M | $18M | $18M | $18M | |
| Total CBT payroll | $69M | $33M | $24M | $24M | $24M | $24M | |
| Tax space | +$175M | +$214M | +$226M | +$229M | +$232M | +$235M | |
| Est. tax bill | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Luxury-tax (CBT) basis: contract AAV + ~$18M benefits/bonus-pool — distinct from the base-salary payroll above. Threshold is the CBA line. Tier-1 payor rates on the overage. Forward years show only guaranteed deals (arb/pre-arb not yet set). Figures are estimates.
| Player | Age | Svc | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trevor Williams | 34 | 9.027 | $7.0M | FREE AGENT | |||||
| Luis García Jr. | 26 | 6.000 | $5.6M | FREE AGENT | |||||
| Keibert Ruiz | 27 | 4.064 | $5.4M | $5.4M | $7.4M | $9.4M | $9.4M | $12.0MCLUB | $14.0MCLUB |
| Zack Littell | 30 | 6.043 | $2.7M | $12.0MMUTUAL | FREE AGENT | ||||
| Miles Mikolas | 37 | 9.037 | $2.2M | FREE AGENT | |||||
| Cade Cavalli | 27 | 2.141 | $862k | $4.0MCLUB | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Player | Age | Svc | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJ Abrams | 25 | 3.130 | $4.2M | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |||
| Max Kranick | 28 | 3.011 | $1.0M | FREE AGENT | |||||
| Richard Lovelady | 30 | 3.052 | $718k | FREE AGENT | |||||
| Justin Lawrence | 31 | 3.167 | $232k | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |||
| Cionel Pérez | 30 | 4.151 | $222k | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||||
| Jake Bird | 30 | 3.051 | $177k | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Player | Age | Svc | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Griffin | 30 | 1.034 | $4.5M | FREE AGENT | |||||
| Jake Irvin | 29 | 2.152 | $2.8M | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Ken Waldichuk | 28 | 2.150 | $825k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Harry Ford | 23 | 0.028 | $820k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| James Wood | 23 | 1.091 | $807k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Jacob Young | 26 | 2.037 | $794k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Jorbit Vivas | 25 | 0.056 | $791k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Daylen Lile | 23 | 0.120 | $786k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Gus Varland | 29 | 0.169 | $785k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Clayton Beeter | 27 | 0.129 | $785k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Brad Lord | 26 | 1.000 | $785k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| José Tena | 25 | 1.031 | $784k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Cole Henry | 26 | 0.169 | $784k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Nasim Nuñez | 25 | 1.086 | $783k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Drew Millas | 28 | 1.038 | $783k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| PJ Poulin | 29 | 0.055 | $769k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Curtis Mead | 25 | 1.094 | $755k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Paxton Schultz | 28 | 0.078 | $752k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Mitchell Parker | 26 | 2.000 | $728k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Orlando Ribalta | 28 | 1.013 | $662k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Andrés Chaparro | 27 | 1.002 | $603k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Dylan Crews | 24 | 1.035 | $574k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Andrew Alvarez | 27 | 0.028 | $567k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Joey Wiemer | 27 | 1.089 | $235k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Brady House | 23 | 0.105 | $235k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Matt Waldron | 29 | 1.107 | $100k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Andre Granillo | 26 | 0.076 | $96k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Zak Kent | 28 | 0.037 | $43k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Julian Fernández | 30 | 2.042 | $18k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Yovanny Cruz | 26 | – | $10k | ||||||
| Riley Cornelio | 26 | – | $4k | ||||||
| Jackson Rutledge | 27 | 1.025 | $4k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Matt Krook | 31 | 1.048 | — | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Tom Cosgrove | 30 | 2.085 | — | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Carson Palmquist | 25 | – | — |
How each 2026 acquisition stacked onto Nationals's playoff-odds curve. The side table is ranked by PPA.