New MLB Trade Rumors Reveal Dylan Crews Buzz, Nationals' Asking Price in Potential Deal

Having failed to live up to his potential thus far in his career, the Washington Nationals are open to trading former No. 2 overall pick Dylan Crews this offseason.

Per The Athletic's Spencer Nussbaum, Crews has been a popular name bantered about at the GM meetings and the Nationals "won't take" him off the table as they have other players on the roster.

As for what the Nationals would want in a deal for Crews, Nussbaum cited multiple teams that have indicated they are in search of "controllable starting pitching."

Crews was the top position player prospect in the 2023 draft and was taken one pick after Paul Skenes was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was regarded by most analysts as the best player in the class leading up to the draft after a stellar three-year run at LSU.

MLB.com's Prospect Pipeline praised Crews' "plus-plus" hit tool and plus power that allowed him to control the zone and make consistently strong contact. He hit

Crews started the 2024 season as the No. 8 overall prospect in MLB. He was called up by the Nationals in August of that season and was expected to be a staple in their outfield.

Things haven't translated for Crews thus far with a .217/.285/.363 slash line in 897 plate appearances over the past three seasons. He missed time due to injuries in 2025 and started 2026 in Triple-A before being recalled on May 19.

Crews will turn 25 on Feb. 26 and is under team control through the 2031 season, so it's easy to understand why opposing clubs would have interest in adding him.

The Nationals have a crowded outfield mix with James Wood under team control through 2030 and Jacob Young agreeing to a four-year contract extension last week that will keep him as their starting centerfielder.

Daylen Lile wasn't great at the plate in 2026 after a strong 91-game performance the previous year, but he showed more power with 22 homers in 160 games than Crews has in his MLB career thus far.

Starting pitching is a necessity for the Nationals if they want to be a playoff contender in 2027. Their rotation ranked 20th in ERA and 29th in innings pitched last season.

There aren't many teams eager to give up starters with years of team control, but a club that has a strong surplus in the rotation and is looking for a potential boost in the outfield could make a compelling offer to the Nationals for Crews.