Nationals Select Eli Willits With First Pick Of 2025 Amateur Draft

The **Washington Nationals** are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Washington, D.C., competing in the National League East division. The franchise originated as the Montreal Expos in 1969 and relocated to Washington in 2005, adopting the Nationals name to reflect the city's baseball heritage[1][2]. Their home games are played at Nationals Park, and the team colors are scarlet red, navy blue, and white[1]. Historically, the Nationals have experienced fluctuating success. As the Expos, they had modest achievements, including a playoff appearance in 1981. Since relocating, they clinched the National League East division title in 2012 and made several postseason appearances in the mid-2010s[1][2]. Their pinnacle achievement was winning the **2019 World Series**, marking the franchise’s first championship. That year, the Nationals overcame significant playoff hurdles, including their first postseason series victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers and sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series. In the World Series, they defeated the Houston Astros in seven games, a historic win highlighted by four road victories. Stephen Strasburg was named the World Series MVP, setting a record with five wins and no losses in a single postseason[2]. Following their championship, the Nationals entered a rebuilding phase, trading away core star players and struggling in subsequent seasons, finishing near the bottom of their division from 2020 through 2023[1]. As of 2025, the team continues developing talent with a focus on younger players and organizational depth amid competitive challenges[4][5]. Notable players across both the Expos and Nationals eras include Hall of Famers Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, and Larry Walker, as well as stars like Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, and Stephen Strasburg[1][2]. The Nationals’ story reflects the complex dynamics of sports franchises involving financial viability, talent development

**MLB Trade Rumors** is a widely respected online platform specializing in Major League Baseball (MLB) news, particularly focusing on trade and free-agent rumors. Founded by Tim Dierkes around 2007, the site has grown from a personal project into the go-to clearinghouse for legitimate baseball trade and signing rumors, offering insightful analysis and fostering an active community of baseball enthusiasts[1][2][3]. The origins of MLB Trade Rumors trace back to Tim Dierkes's early efforts in baseball analytics and content creation, such as projecting player stats and running a site called Roto Authority. Through persistent dedication, including creative promotional efforts and gradual refinement of journalistic standards, Dierkes established MLB Trade Rumors as a trusted source by filtering and publishing rumors with careful judgment and attribution[1][2]. Initially, the site was a one-person operation with Dierkes handling all coverage, but it eventually expanded to include other writers and contributors, enhancing its scope and depth[1][3]. Key achievements of MLB Trade Rumors include becoming a central hub for nearly all legitimate MLB trade and free-agent rumors, offering both breaking news and in-depth analysis. The site is appreciated for maintaining journalistic integrity and a community-driven comment section where fans speculate and discuss rumors. Its longevity—approaching two decades—and reputation attest to its impact on baseball media[1][2][3]. Currently, MLB Trade Rumors continues to provide timely updates on MLB personnel moves, managerial searches, and other baseball business developments, as highlighted by recent coverage of managerial and general manager hires during the MLB postseason[5]. The site’s design and user interface have elicited mixed feedback from its community but remain functional and focused on delivering content efficiently[4]. Notably, MLB Trade Rumors maintains a loyal readership by staying true to its roots as a rumor aggregator with original analysis, eschewing social media distractions and relying on a combination of trusted sources and community input[3]. This approach has made it