Andrew Golden

Miguel Cairo was asked who would be the team’s closer moving forward:

“You will see tonight who it’s going to be. Hopefully you guys find out today.”

Nats, sellers again, trade closer Kyle Finnegan and outfielder Alex Call The Nationals refurbished their farm system — but lefty MacKenzie Gore stayed put at the MLB trade deadline.

Here is @spencernusbaum.bsky.social and my updated story on today's trade deadline. Kyle Finnegan and Alex Call were dealt. MacKenzie Gore was not.

In the last week, Washington added 10 prospects to their farm system in exchange for six players:

And one more from the presser -- Mike DeBartolo talked about Kyle Finnegan's impact on the Nationals:

- On Bell, Lowe: They were open-minded but nothing ultimately came together

- Said the outfield depth played a factor in the team's decision to trade Alex Call.

- The team hasn't decided yet who will close games or who will fill in Soroka's spot in the rotation.

Additional notes:
- Said the conversations were slightly different from years past. Not knocking how they've approach trade deadlines before but said they tried to incorporate more data.

- Targeted pitchers with good "stuff" & strong performance

Threading notes from Interim GM Mike DeBartolo's press conference. (1/3)

First, here's what he had to say about the decision to not trade MacKenzie Gore:

Here's the haul the Nationals acquired in the last week:

Rosario: RHP Clayton Beeter, INF Browm Martinez
Chafin/Garcia: LHP Jake Eder, 1B Sam Brown
Soroka: INF Ronny Cruz, OF Christian Franklin
Finnegan: RHPs Josh Randall, R.J. Sales
Call: RHPs Eriq Swan, Sean Paul Liñan

The Nationals did not trade MacKenzie Gore, per multiple sources.

I really, really like this deal. Probably the biggest return they've gotten for anyone so far this deadline. Swan is new to pitching and has issues with injuries and control, but he has absolutely massive stuff. Liñan has a killer changeup but everything else is meh.

Wilmington has an interesting pitching staff. Jarlin Susana is there on a rehab assignment but you also have:

Swan and Liñan (Call trade)
Randall (Finnegan trade)
Alex Clemmey (Thomas trade, 2024)

Jackson Kent + recently promoted trio (Cranz, Garcia, Tejada Jr) (2024 draft)

Swan and Liñan have spent most of their 2025 seasons with the Dodgers' High-A affiliate.

For those of you wondering why Liñan has two appearances with AAA, the Dodgers were low on arms and had to bring him up.

The return: pitchers Eriq Swan and Sean Paul Liñan

The Nationals have OF depth: Wood, Crews, Lile, Young, Hassell, Franklin (acquired from the Soroka deal last night).

Makes a ton of sense to move Call, who has strong plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills. Heard at least three teams in the playoff picture were interested.

Can confirm OF Alex Call is going to the Dodgers.
@JeffPassan was first with the trade.

Nationals move closer Kyle Finnegan as MLB trade deadline looms Finnegan pitched to a 4.38 ERA and earned 20 saves this season for Washington, which is again a seller at the deadline.

Our initial news story on Kyle Finnegan being traded to the Detroit Tigers for two prospects: right-handed pitching prospects Josh Randall and R.J. Sales:

W/ @spencernusbaum.bsky.social:

Quick contract note about Kyle Finnegan: The Nationals deferred Finnegan's one-year, $6 million contract this year. $2 million in 2027 and $2 million in 2029.

The Tigers will take on the prorated portion of each payment. So about 1/3 of each $2 million payment.

The Nationals are getting back Josh Randall and RJ Sales, per source.

Can confirm that the Nationals have traded Kyle Finnegan to the Detroit Tigers, per source. First was @Ken_Rosenthal.

MLB trade deadline live updates: Mariners to acquire Eugenio Suárez; Jhoan Duran to Phillies The MLB trade deadline is set for 6 p.m. Eastern, but the deals are already rolling in. Follow along all day for the latest news and analysis.

The trade deadline is 6 pm. Thoughts, feelings, and updates here all day. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Also posting to you live from the plane, which is currently above Tennessee.

Can confirm that the Nationals have traded Michael Soroka to the Chicago Cubs for two prospects — SS Ronny Cruz and OF Christian Franklin. @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social was first.

MacKenzie Gore, a hot topic as trade deadline nears, struggles again The left-hander gives up six earned runs and fails to get out of the sixth inning as the Nationals wrap up a 3-3 trip with a 9-1 loss at Houston..

MacKenzie Gore acknowledged the trade rumors have been hard to ignore. But after a tough outing, he’s just focused on getting back on track.

“This is something that is completely out of my control. I’ll get ready for the next one and see what happens.”

MacKenzie Gore on the trade rumors: "I'd be lying if I told you I didn't see it. ... It's a little strange. But, like I said, I've been trying to figure out how to get people out and get ready for each start. But I'd be lying if I told you I didn't see it."

FINAL: Astros 9, Nationals 1. Luis Garcia and Andrew Chafin were traded before the game. MacKenzie Gore allowed six runs. The Nationals offense was flat. 3-3 road trip.

Yanier Diaz just hit a three-run homer off Cole Henry. It's 9-1.

Miguel Cairo just got thrown out of the game. He was chirping at Ryan Additon during the pitching change.

MacKenzie Gore just allowed a two-run homer in the sixth inning to Cooper Hummel. He had words for the umpire after the homer.

He wasn't happy pitch 5 wasn't called strike 3. Would've been the second out of the inning:

The Astros just made a mess of that runners on the corners situation. MacKenzie Gore struck out Cam Smith. Christian Walker slowed up as he ran to second and was thrown out.

4-1 Astros, top 6.

Nats trade relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García as the deadline looms Washington sent Chafin and García to the Angels on Wednesday, ahead of Thursday’s MLB trade deadline.

Here's our story on the Nats trading relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis Garcia for LHP Jake Eder and 1B Sam Brown.

Eder has 9 big league appearances as a reliever, but 66 minor league starts. The Nationals intend to use him as a starter in AAA for now:

So the Nationals got 10 appearances out of Luis Garcia (waiver claim) and 26 appearances Andrew Chafin (minor league deal).

Turned those expiring contracts into a controllable pitcher with 9 big league appearances and a first baseman. Not bad at all.