The Washington Nationals made a pair of free agent signings official over the weekend after announcing the additions of both left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin and third baseman Warming Bernabel with the latter joining on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training in 2026. While the attention will soon shift back to the status of MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams with speculation around Gore continuing through December into the new year, the 2026 season will hope to feature a bounce back from one of the organization’s most talented young pieces.
With the holiday season approaching and a need to finalize a rebuilding 2026 roster, CBS Sports pointed to right fielder Dylan Crews taking the next step as the top item on the Washington Nationals’ offseason wishlist.
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CBS Sports: It has been tough sledding for Dylan Crews, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 Draft, in his admittedly brief big-league career. He has a .634 OPS in 116 career games, 85 of which came around a significant oblique strain in 2025. The Nationals have a new front office, a new manager, and a new coaching staff. Crews is only 23. The new leadership group getting his career on track would be a very nice holiday gift and a great way to kick off this new era of Nationals baseball.
Though his 2025 season was hampered by injuries after suffering a left oblique strain back on May 21, 2025, Crews led all right fielders in errors in 2025 while posting a slash line of .208/.280/.352 in a season that featured just ten home runs, 85 runs batted in and 17 stolen bases across 293 at-bats and 85 games.
His extended absences and struggles in his second season with the organization raised red flags after Daylen Lile stepped up to fill the void, leading one local outlet to point to a potential move if the start of 2026 doesn’t fare any better. Given the young and new management now leading the Nationals’ organization, Crews enters the 2026 season in a ‘prove it’ role with James Wood anchoring the roster into a rebuild season. And for a front office continuously monitoring the price point for Gore, Crews gives the Nationals the next piece if the floor falls from what’s expected to be a trying 2026 season.
Crews, considered one of the best prospects in the 2023 MLB Draft, became the second overall pick and the Nats latest coveted addition after inking a $9 million signing bonus then beginning his pro career in the minor leagues. Crews ended his college career as the Golden Spikes Award winner after winning the 2023 College World Series with LSU.
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While the first official moves since Paul Toboni has been announced as the new president of baseball operations – and becoming official fresh after assistant general manager Ani Kilmabi was hired as the Nationals’ new general manager