Nationals Have a Closer Crisis: 35 Blown Saves Forces Nats to Spend This Winter

The Washington Nationals have blown 35 saves in 2026, putting them just two away from the MLB record. After another disastrous ninth inning against the Miami Marlins, it’s time for the Nationals to stop hoping their bullpen problems will fix themselves. In this episode of Nats MinuteCast, we break down why Washington needs to make an experienced back-end reliever a major priority this offseason. The Nationals had a 2-0 lead heading into the ninth before the Marlins scored six runs to turn a potential fourth straight win into another painful loss. It was the latest example of a bullpen that has repeatedly cost Washington games this season. But this isn't about blaming one pitcher or one bad inning. It's about recognizing that the Nationals are reaching a different stage of their rebuild. Washington's young offense is becoming a legitimate foundation. The farm system is improving. The roster is more talented than its record suggests. And that means the Nationals can't afford to keep wasting opportunities because they don't have someone they trust to get the final three outs. We discuss Blake Butera's call for a pitcher who wants the ball in the ninth, the bullpen arms already developing inside the organization, the potential free-agent market, and why spending money on an experienced closer or high-leverage reliever could be one of the smartest moves Washington makes this winter. The rebuild is changing. Now the Nationals need to act like it. In This Episode: The Nationals' 35 blown saves The disastrous ninth inning against Miami Why Washington needs experienced bullpen help Clayton Beeter, Orlando Ribalta and the developing relief corps Why prospects alone can't be the 2027 bullpen plan The case for spending this offseason How the Nationals can protect their improving young offense Why the ninth inning could define Washington's next step Nats MinuteCast covers the Washington Nationals, Nationals Park, MLB news, roster moves, prospects, trades, free agency and the future of the Nats. #Nationals #Nats #Natitude #MLB #WashingtonNationals #NationalsBaseball #NatsNews #MLBNews #NatsMinuteCast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.