MLB 2025: Washington Nationals Over/Under For Wins

• Oddsmakers have the still-rebuilding Washington Nationals at over/under 69.5 wins
• The Nats are very, very young and have amassed significant talent in the trades of stars Juan Soto, Trea Turner, and others
• Before the 2025 season started, owner Mark Lerner said the team is not yet ready to commit big dollars to free agents
• The hulking outfielder James Wood and pitcher MacKenzie Gore have superstar potential

Are the Nats Being Strategic or Just Cheap?

While something is to be said for sticking to a plan and accepting shortcomings, there is also an argument for being slightly more aggressive. The Nationals are trapped in that middle-Earth. Their team is reasonably talented enough to consider trying to make a playoff run in 2025. This is particularly true with 12 MLB teams making the playoffs every year.

Even more puzzling is that there are always solid major league veterans available on a short-term deal with mutual benefit. The Nats settled for Paul DeJong, Nathaniel Lowe, Amed Rosario, and Josh Bell.

President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo has a keen eye for talent, as he has shown with his acquisitions of Gore, CJ Abrams, and Kelbert Ruiz and in drafting Wood. Regardless, at what point will they try to win?

Another Year To Watch Who’s Traded at the Deadline

The Nats have veterans other teams can use, including the above-listed players who were signed for this year, pitcher Trevor Williams, closer Kyle Finnegan, and pitcher Mike Soroka. Their tactics do not bode well for an overachieving season.

This will be the fifth straight year the Nationals are not even bothering to try and win. The owner said it before the season. Barring an inexplicable jump from their youngsters, they will be focused on the future. That means 2026 (maybe) and beyond.

The Nationals Will Not Win 70 Games

The only thing that might save the Nationals from challenging for the worst record in the National League is that the Marlins are trying to win less than they are. The Rockies are worse than the Nats.

Still, this is a young team with talent. They will show flashes, but by the time the summer rolls around, the focus will be on trading away their marketable veterans. That means they will fall under 69.5 wins.