The Nationals’ offseason spotlight is already starting to build, with award season bringing a few familiar names into the mix.
Daylen Lile is among the club’s most notable candidates after earning his first Gold Glove Award nomination. He’ll be up against the Brewers’ Jackson Chourio and the Cubs’ Ian Happ in left field. Lile’s defensive jump in his first full Major League season stands out, with his outs above average rising to +1 after sitting at -8 in 2025.
The first major checkpoint arrives Monday, Nov. 2, when Louisville Slugger reveals the finalists for the 2026 Silver Slugger Award. James Wood and CJ Abrams both made strong cases at their positions, with Wood posting a .503 slugging percentage and Abrams at .497. Those marks ranked second among all players at their respective spots.
That same announcement will also include the 2026 finalists for Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Cy Young Award and Reliever of the Year in both leagues.
Jacob Young already has one honor locked in, having won the Nationals’ Heart & Hustle team award for the second straight year.
A little later in the month, Jarlin Susana could get a chance to shine on a bigger stage. The right-hander has been rolling in the AFL with the Salt River Rafters, and the Nationals’ No. 4 prospect, ranked MLB No. 66, is a likely candidate for the AFL Fall Stars Game on Sunday, Nov. 8.
That same night, MLB Network will air MLB Awards at 9 p.m. ET from The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
The ceremony will cover the Hank Aaron Award, Comeback Players of the Year, Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman Relievers of the Year, Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter of the Year, MLB Executive of the Year, and the All-MLB First and Second Teams. Abrams, Wood and Cade Cavalli were all on the 2026 All-MLB Team ballot.
Abrams and Wood are not expected to win, but both should still draw votes after the seasons they put together.
In Other News...
Nationals Already Face Tough Calls In Paul Tobonis First Roster Crunch
The Nationals wasted little time making their first move of the offseason roster shuffle, claiming right-hander Braxton Roxby off waivers and designating Zak Kent for assignment. It is the kind of transaction that barely registers on its own, but for a club already dealing with the constraints of players on the 60-day injured list, it is also a reminder that the work of trimming and rearranging the roster has already begun.
Paul Tobonis front office is expected to stay busy as it evaluates the full picture and looks for ways to reshape the group heading into next season. More moves are likely on the way, including possible non-tenders for players such as Jake Irvin and Jose Tena, which would only add to the sense that this winter will be less about tweaking and more about making hard choices. [Read more 🡒]
Nationals Deadline Trade Still Hinges On One Risky Rotation Bet
Paul Tobonis deadline move brought Connelly Early back into his orbit in Washington, a familiar name for the Nationals new decision-maker after he drafted the left-hander in Boston. The trade also came with Curtis Mead, whose season was derailed almost immediately by a wrist injury that cost him the rest of the year, leaving the deal to be judged less on what it produced right away and more on what each player can still become.
Early was hurt when the trade was made, but he made it back late in the season and looked effective in a brief appearance, which only adds to the intrigue around how Washington views his role going forward. For the Nationals, the real question now is whether this kind of rotation gamble pays off, or whether the return they got will be defined by the health and development of a pitcher whose path has already been interrupted once. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jays Linked To Risky Trade Idea Fans Will Debate
C.J. Abrams has become the kind of player who naturally shows up in trade chatter when a club is looking for a jolt, and that is exactly what has happened with Toronto. The Blue Jays have been linked to a speculative idea that would send the Washington Nationals infielder north as a way to help improve their offense for the 2027 season, with Abrams strong 2026 production making him an obvious fit on paper.
The appeal is easy to see, but so are the complications. Any deal for Abrams would likely come with a steep prospect cost, and Toronto would have to weigh whether the upgrade is worth thinning out its depth, especially with defensive questions still part of the conversation around him. For the Nationals, it is the sort of rumor that underscores how valuable Abrams has become, even if the real challenge is knowing what kind of return would ever make moving him worthwhile. [Read more 🡒]