The Nationals are adding a veteran reliever.
The Washington Nationals have reportedly reached a $3 million deal with reliever Lucas Sims for the 2025 MLB season, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Sims has been in the majors since 2017, having previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Boston Red Sox.
Sims made his MLB debut in 2017 with Atlanta, where he took on a flexible role, appearing in 14 games and starting 10 of them. Since then, he has mostly been used as a full-time reliever, having started just four games since his debut year.
He moved to Cincinnati in 2018, where he pitched until 2024 before joining the Boston Red Sox. In 2024, across both teams, Sims posted a 4.38 ERA over 58 appearances. He began the season strong with a 3.57 ERA in Cincinnati, but struggled in Boston, finishing with a 6.43 ERA.
The Nationals are hopeful that the 30-year-old right-handed reliever can regain his form and find success in Washington.
This offseason, Washington has focused on adding depth and strengthening their bullpen. The team’s rebuilding effort has been ongoing since they traded Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres in 2022. However, the Nationals are showing promising signs of progress, with a roster filled with young, talented players.
In 2024, Washington won 71 games, which isn’t outstanding, but they showed glimpses of potential. The team boasts an exciting core of young players, many of whom are expected to have bright MLB careers.
While the Nationals are likely still a year or two away from being serious postseason contenders, bringing in veterans like Lucas Sims will undoubtedly help their development moving forward.
