Eleven years can change everything in baseball. What once seemed like a sure path to glory can quickly turn into a lesson in humility. Back in 2014, the Washington Nationals were riding high. They had just clinched their second NL East title in three years, boasting a roster that looked unstoppable on paper. Fans were convinced that a few minor adjustments would propel them to the World Series. But here’s where it gets controversial: winning is never as easy as it looks. Fast forward to today, and the Nats find themselves in a very different place, leaving fans wondering what went wrong—and what’s next.
As we stand on the brink of 2026, the baseball offseason feels like a sprint, especially with Spring Training camps just six weeks away. It’s a time when every move matters, and every decision is scrutinized. Eleven years ago, the Nats were making headlines with a series of bold trades and signings that reshaped their future. In early December 2014, they sent left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler to the Texas Rangers in exchange for infielder Christopher Bostick and right-handed pitcher Abel De Los Santos. But it was their next move that truly shook the baseball world.
And this is the part most people miss: the Nats traded outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and left-handed pitcher Travis Ott for right-handed pitcher Joe Ross and a player to be named later (PTBNL), who turned out to be none other than Trea Turner. This trade alone would redefine the franchise’s trajectory. They didn’t stop there. The Nats also swapped right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard for third baseman Yunel Escobar, paving the way for Ryan Zimmerman to shift to first base. Add in a slew of minor league signings, including Dan Uggla and Heath Bell, and it seemed like the Nats were fine-tuning a championship-caliber team.
But the real bombshell dropped on January 21, 2015, when owner Ted Lerner pulled off a clandestine move that no one saw coming. In a deal brokered directly with agent Scott Boras, Lerner signed right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer to a record-breaking $210 million contract. It was a gift to the fanbase, but also a bold statement of intent. As Peter Schmuck once quipped, ‘Obviously, Scott Boras goes [direct] to ownership for the same reason that Willie Sutton robbed banks: because that’s where the money is.’ The signing caught everyone off guard, especially since the Nats already had a stacked rotation with Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez, Tanner Roark, and Doug Fister. Roark ended up in the bullpen, but the question lingered: Why add to an already strong rotation?
Here’s the controversial truth: Lerner’s move was all about foresight. Both Fister and Zimmermann were set to become free agents after the 2015 season, and Lerner believed Scherzer would be the difference-maker. He was right. Despite criticism, the deal proved to be one of the best free agent signings in years. Scherzer’s agent, Scott Boras, later remarked, ‘Ted Lerner went out and signed Max Scherzer and gave him a record contract, record years, and he was annihilated for it! They told him that was a mistake. That was an overpay!’ But hindsight is 20/20, and Lerner’s gamble paid off.
Yet, even with Scherzer and Bryce Harper winning the most prestigious awards in 2015, the team fell short of expectations. Injuries, poor management, and a struggling bullpen derailed their season. Fast forward to 2026, and the Nats find themselves in a similar predicament. Their current roster, by most accounts, looks underwhelming. FanGraphs projects them for just 75 wins, with minimal offseason additions like Foster Griffin (+2.0 WAR) and Harry Ford (+0.8 WAR) unlikely to turn the tide. The rest of the improvement will have to come from within—unless President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni has a few tricks up his sleeve.
But here’s the real question: Does Mark Lerner, now at the helm after his father’s passing, see the glaring deficiencies in his team? Or is he choosing to ignore them? The 2015 Nats lacked leadership, and the same could be said today. Without a veteran leader to anchor the clubhouse, the team risks repeating history. Toboni may be playing his cards close to the vest, but if he won’t make a move, Lerner needs to step in—just like his father did. As the famous New Yorker cartoon by Alex Graham once quipped, ‘Take me to your leader.’ The Nats need that leader now more than ever.
So, what do you think? Is Mark Lerner doing enough to address the team’s shortcomings, or should he take a more hands-on approach? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions.
