Building strong bullpens was never a strong suit of Nationals’ former GM Mike Rizzo, and that fact was on clear display this season, as the Nats’ relief unit was as bad as bullpens come, finishing last
in baseball with a 5.59 ERA and second to last with a 4.86 FIP. While some additions to the group, such as Cole Henry and Clayton Beeter, provided solid performances in the present and hope for the future, the loss of key arms such as Kyle Finnegan, Andrew Chafin, and Luis Garcia at the deadline was a detrimental blow to an already shaky group.
Entering 2026, Paul Toboni and his staff are now charged with turning one of the worst bullpens in the sport into at least a group that can tread water. In the long term, the best way to achieve this goal is to continually take chances on high upside arms through the draft, internationally, and through waiver claims, eventually creating a system that can turn out relief arms almost at will, In the short term, however, the focus will need to be on developing the arms currently in-house and taking a chance on relievers in free agency. Let’s take a look at some impending free agent arms I’d like the Nats to take a chance on this winter.
RHP Phil Maton
One name I want the Nationals to be all over this offseason is Phil Maton, who, after years of being a good, not great reliever, broke out in 2025 for the Rangers, as over 61 1/3 innings he posted a 2.79 ERA, 3.04 FIP, and struck out over 11 batters per 9 innings, all career bests. These results were no fluke either, as the underlying numbers for Maton were as good as they get, with him ranking in the 99th percentile for average exit velo, 98th percentile in whiff rate, and 95th percentile strikeout rate. Despite sitting under 90mph with his fastball, Maton was nails out of the bullpen for the Rangers in 2025, and is an easy bet to at least come close to repeating his performance in 2026. Turning 33 right before next season, Maton could provide value for the Nats over multiple season if given a multiyear contract, perhaps even fetching some prospects at the trade deadline if need be.
RHP Devin Williams
Seasons don’t get much unluckier than the one Williams had in 2025, as in 62 innings pitched, he posted a career worst 4.79 ERA, but an impressive 2.68 FIP. It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly caused Williams failures this season in the Bronx, as struck out as many hitters as ever, walked fewer hitters than ever, and his home run rate only went up slightly, but overall an increase in barrells allowed and some bad BABIP luck led to Williams crumbling in situations where he usually thrived. He now hits the market at 31 years old with his value at its lowest point, and the Nats have an ideal chance to buy low on a reliever with potential to be one of the best right handed relievers in baseball again.
LHP Hoby Milner
Another one of my favorite leoptions for the Nats to target in free agency is Hoby Milner, a funky lefty who was very consistent for the Rangers in 2025, posting a 3.84 ERA and 3.39 FIP across 70 1/3 innings pitched. Milner, like Maton, does not throw hard at all, sitting high 80s with his fastball, but it does not matter because he doesn’t rely on his fastball to get outs, and excels in all other aspects of the game, including limiting hard contact and keeping the ball on the ground. An underrated aspect of Milner’s game is how different a look he can be for hitters, going from facing hard throwing righties constantly to a lefty reliever who relies on breaking balls, making him an ideal pitcher to follow arms like Cade Cavalli in games. Entering his age 35 season, Milner is older than the other 2 options on this list, but could be a weapon out of the bullpen for the Nats in 2026.
