Key Points

• The Washington Nationals are considering trade-deadline moves to strengthen a bullpen that has been their biggest weakness in 2026.
• President of baseball operations Paul Toboni said the club has been in “deep in conversations” with relievers as it explores upgrades.
• Washington’s bullpen has the worst ERA in MLB at 5.30, and the club has also blown 27 saves this season.
• The Nationals have not yet made a move, despite injuries and waiver-wire activity around the bullpen in recent weeks.
• League interest has surrounded players including Foster Griffin and shortstop CJ Abrams, though Washington has not confirmed any decision on either player.
• Toboni said the market remains unsettled, with several teams still unsure whether they will buy or sell.
• The Nationals’ recent form means their next stretch of games could help determine whether they act as buyers or sellers before the Aug. 3 deadline.

Washington, D.C. (Evening Washington News) July 23, 2026 – The Washington Nationals are continuing to explore bullpen upgrades as the MLB trade deadline approaches, with Toboni saying the club has remained active in conversations even though no deal has been completed yet.

What did Paul Toboni say about trade talks?

As reported by MLB.com and other outlets citing Toboni, the Nationals president of baseball operations said the club has been “deep in conversations” with relievers it wants to target, while also stressing that discussions have not yet produced a move.

He also said there are “a good amount of teams” that still do not know exactly what they are doing, which has slowed the market.

The trade deadline is Aug. 3, leaving Washington with limited time to decide whether to buy, sell or take a middle path.

Why is the bullpen such a concern?

Washington’s relief corps has been a major issue throughout 2026, with MLB.com reporting that the bullpen’s 5.30 ERA is the worst in the league.

The Nationals have also recorded 27 blown saves, leaving them well short of the MLB record but still in a damaging position for a team trying to stay in the Wild Card race.

The problem stands out because the offence has been among the strongest in baseball, giving the club a chance to contend if the pitching can be improved.

Which players are drawing attention?

Foster Griffin has been a name to watch in rumour mill coverage, with one report saying he was unlikely to be dealt and another suggesting executives around the league believed a trade involving him was still possible.

CJ Abrams has also attracted outside interest, although Toboni did not clarify how serious those discussions are.

Abrams has been linked to trade speculation in other coverage as well, but there is still no confirmation that Washington is prepared to move him.

How does the market look right now?

The broader trade market has been described as cautious rather than frantic, largely because several clubs remain close enough to contention that they have not committed to a direction.

That matters for Washington because the Nationals could wait to see how their next several games play out before deciding whether to add help or pivot in another direction.

A tighter market could also affect the price of bullpen arms, making it harder for the Nationals to find a deal they like.

What has happened around the roster already?

The Nationals have already turned to internal options and the waiver wire while trying to manage injuries and underperformance in relief.

The club has also made a number of recent roster changes and has continued to monitor its broader pitching depth through Triple-A Rochester. Those steps show that Washington has not been passive, even without a trade completed yet.

Background of this development

The Nationals entered 2026 with a new front-office direction under Toboni and have spent much of the season balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term roster planning.

Their unexpectedly strong offence has kept them in the postseason conversation, which is why the deadline has become more complicated than in recent years when they were clearer sellers.

In previous seasons, Washington was generally seen as a rebuilding team, but this year’s record has created a different set of decisions.

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What could this mean for the Nationals?

If Washington adds bullpen help, it could improve the club’s chances of staying in the Wild Card race and reduce pressure on the starting rotation and offence.

If the Nationals do not improve the relief corps, the current weaknesses could become more damaging as the schedule reaches the deadline period and the final playoff push.

For fans, the next several games may shape whether the club behaves like a buyer aiming for October or a team still leaning into roster-building for the future.