General GM Mike Rizzo spoke to reporters, including MASN's Bobby Blanco, yesterday for the first time since the club sent the right-hander away. Hunter Harvey to the Royals for a third chance Cayden Wallace and the 39th pick in the 2024 draft. Rizzo did not praise Harvey, describing him as an “organizational success story,” but noted that he felt the trade was “important to us …
The subject of Harvey's deal, which comes despite the right-hander being under team control through the 2025 season, has led to questions about the outfielder's status. Lane Thomas and close Kyle Finnegan, both of whom are under contract for one season after 2024. When asked about the pair's availability, Rizzo confirmed that both are available, though he stressed that the extra year of control means he's in no rush to trade either. player. When discussing Thomas, Rizzo said that because the club controls the 2024 campaign, “we're going to make a deal that we're comfortable with.” And if we don't, we won't make a deal.” He went on to say that he looked at Finnegan “in the same way, exactly” and that the team “wouldn't be able to get rid of him.” [Finnegan] it's easy.”
While it's unclear what the Nationals' current price is for Thomas or Finnegan, it's no surprise that the team's GM has indicated he won't deal with either player unless his price is met. Thomas, who turns 29 next month, has been a staple for the Nationals during the rebuild with a .256/.317/.438 slash line (106 wRC+) since joining the club during the 2021 season. He enjoyed something of a breakout season last year, blasting 28 home runs while swiping 20 bases and hitting a solid .268/.315/.468 in 156 games for the Nats. Thomas hasn't found much power in 2024 but has been a powerful hitter, swiping 24 bags in 306 trips to the plate so far this year. In a market that doesn't have many quality hitters clearly available, it's easy to imagine Thomas getting interest from clubs looking for outfield help like the Mariners, Dodgers, or Phillies.
As for Finnegan, the 32-year-old is in the midst of a breakout year in his fourth season as the Nationals' closer. In 40 2/3 innings of work this year, the righty has already collected 26 saves while posting a league-leading 2.43 ERA and striking out a solid 25.8% of the batters he's faced. Home runs have been a problem for Finnegan in his career as he has allowed 15.7% of his balls out of the yard, including 16.7% this year. That leaves him with a pedestrian 4.05 FIP, but his long record as an elite relief arm with Washington (where he posted a career 3.37 ERA in 267 1/3 innings of work) should still make him among the most attractive. helping arms available to teams in need in the late innings.
In other Nationals news, manager Davey Martinez told reporters (including MASN's Mark Zuckerman) that long-term prospects are high. Cade Cavalli was dealing with a “dead arm” problem while undergoing Tommy John surgery in early 2023. That problem was compounded by Cavalli coming down with the flu, and that led to the Nationals restarting the right-handed pitching system. The right-hander last appeared in a minor league rehab game on June 21 and has recently started to improve, although Martinez suggested the club still expects him to play this year. Cavalli has one major league start under his belt but looked good at the Triple-A level in his final full season in 2022, where he posted a 3.71 ERA in 20 starts while striking out 25.9% of the batters he faced.
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