With recent transactions, Nats' focus turns back to the future

BALTIMORE – When the Nationals signed Harold Ramirez to a minor league contract on June 15, then called him up to the majors a week later, the intention was clear: Add a proven big league hitter to a lineup and bench that could use more of them, the kind of bat that could help a team win more games and perhaps even keep itself in a wide-open National League wild card race.

When the Nats designated Ramirez for assignment prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Orioles, the intention was also clear, if dramatically altered from two months prior: It’s time to prioritize young players who may have a future with the organization than older ones who don’t.

It wasn’t so much about Ramirez’s production. The soon-to-be 30-year-old hadn’t been great, but he hadn’t been awful, either. It was about creating a roster spot – and playing time – for Andres Chaparro, a 25-year-old rookie acquired two weeks ago from the Diamondbacks for Dylan Floro who theoretically could figure into the team’s long-term plans.

Chaparro, let’s be clear, is not a top-rated prospect. He was the return for two months of a veteran setup man, not two years of a productive everyday player. But his Triple-A numbers over the last two seasons – a .282/.363/.500 slash line with 51 doubles and 48 homers in 242 games – were hard to ignore.

And given the current state of the Nationals, who are sorely lacking in power, especially from the corner infield positions, it made all the sense in the world to get Chaparro up here now and get an extended look at him.

The same applies to Orlando Ribalta, the 26-year-old reliever who also made his major league debut Tuesday night. Given a chance to pitch the ninth inning with his team leading by seven runs, Ribalta recorded only two outs and allowed three batters to reach base before he was pulled with his pitch count up to 28. But he showed off a 97-mph fastball and crisp changeup that became his out pitch in the minors and helped him average 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings this season.

The reliever he replaced: Jordan Weems, who after more than four months of struggles was designated for assignment, his four-walk performance Sunday against the Angels the final straw. As much as they hoped Weems would figure things out, the Nats just couldn’t wait any longer, especially when there was a younger option ready to make his debut.

Chaparro and Ribalta, along with other recent call-ups like Jose Tena and Eduardo Salazar, were probably going to get their chance eventually this season, no matter what. But with the Nationals now clearly back in future-mode after toying with the idea of a surprise wild card chase, there clearly is value in getting a look at these rookies now, rather than waiting until September.

“I think there is,” manager Davey Martinez said. “On a short-term basis, you can’t really tell. We get seven weeks with these guys. We can see a lot, and try to help them get better. I wish we had some veteran guys, I really do. But to get a lot of these young players up here, it excites me, too. One, they deserve to be up here, because they’ve done so well. And we get a broader spectrum of what they can do. That’s definitely going to help us for the future.”

It's not as exciting as playing meaningful games in mid-August. But if the extra few weeks of evaluation now help the front office and coaching staff go into the winter with a better idea what they have in house and what they still need to acquire, it could go a long way toward helping make sure the Nationals are playing meaningful games in mid-August 2025.