Washington Nationals experience decline in payroll heading into new season
The Washington Nationals have seen a significant decline in payroll this offseason largely due to the end of Patrick Corbin's contract, allowing for increased financial flexibility as they build a young team.
The Washington Nationals have not spent significantly this offseason, resulting in a notable decrease in their payroll.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Nationals have recorded the fifth-largest decline in payroll at 15%.
A major factor contributing to this decline is the conclusion of Patrick Corbin's contract, which saw him earning $25 million in 2024. Although the Nationals still owe him $10 million in deferred money this season, they now have increased financial flexibility with his departure.
Per Spotrac.com, the Nationals' total adjusted payroll reached $103,945,407 in 2024. Currently, as teams approach Spring Training, Washington's payroll stands at $83,756,429. They are not projected to make significant moves soon, indicating that this number is unlikely to rise considerably.
This offseason has seen some roster improvements by the Nationals, but they achieved this without considerable expenditure. They acquired Nathaniel Lowe, who is under contract for just $10.7 million. Additionally, they signed Mike Soroka for one year at $9 million and re-signed Trevor Williams at the same salary as the previous year. Veteran first baseman Josh Bell also returned at a low salary.
At present, Lowe carries the highest price tag on the payroll and is the only player owed over $10 million.
The Nationals' economical payroll is largely due to their young talent. Players like James Wood and Dylan Crews, both promising stars, are currently on contracts worth $800,000 per year. In fact, the Nationals have 26 players on their 40-man roster still under pre-arbitration contracts, including Wood and Crews. Their salaries will likely remain low if some of these players are moved to the minor leagues.
Currently, Washington holds the seventh-lowest tax payroll in the MLB. However, they will need to consider paying Wood, Crews, and other young stars if they wish to retain them long-term. Given the trajectory of baseball contracts, this could become a significant financial undertaking.
Despite their youthful roster, the Nationals showcase considerable talent. While they may not achieve the best results this season, the outlook appears promising. Additionally, they will have ample financial resources to pursue big name players in the next offseason if they choose to do so.
