What if the 2019 Nationals Didn’t Happen: Part 1

This is the hardest “What if?” I’ve ever explored. Let’s pick up right after that 19-31 game, and dive into a timeline where the Nationals never bounced back.

It's May 24, 2019, and the Washington Nationals have hit rock bottom. Fresh off being swept in a four-game series by the New York Mets, they sit at 19-31, dead in the water. The season is over before schools let out for the summer. With the team unraveling, Mike Rizzo publicly declares the Nationals “open for business,” signaling a rebuild is underway.

Fortunately that didn’t happen – but it could have! As you may have guessed, this blog entry takes place in an alternate timeline where the Nationals don’t rally behind "Baby Shark" and turn a 12-games-under-.500 start into a World Series championship. Instead, in this scenario the Nats go through more bumpy roads. Will those roads lead to beautiful places?  Let’s find out!

On May 25, 2019, Rizzo trades veterans Howie Kendrick and Michael A. Taylor to the Tampa Bay Rays for Brandon Lowe — a bright spot for Maryland fans but a clear sign the Nats are selling off assets. 

That’s just the start. Knowing that Anthony Rendon is unlikely to re-sign, Rizzo pulls the trigger on a blockbuster deal in June. Rendon is shipped to the Minnesota Twins for top prospect Royce Lewis, power-hitting third baseman Miguel Sanó, and a minor league pitcher. Fans are stunned — Rendon was the team’s best bat and heart — but the arrival of Lewis, a potential franchise star, offers a glimmer of hope.

Then comes the real shocker. In July, the New York Yankees, desperate to shore up their inconsistent rotation, trade for Stephen Strasburg — the pride of DC’s staff and a potential World Series MVP. Washington receives Clint Frazier and three promising young arms in Michael King, Luis Gil, and 26-year-old Jordan Montgomery in return. While all four have upside, fans see this as a white flag. The team had to tank to get Strasburg in the first place. Now the organization is dealing him to start another rebuild? The Washington Post and PTI run story after story demanding everyone associated with these moves be fired immediately. 

You may be wondering what about Max Scherzer and Ryan Zimmerman. Despite getting good offers for both, Rizzo decides not to trade them. When asked why, Rizzo says “This isn’t another teardown – we will need some veterans to help get us back on track.”

Still, most of the Nats with any value at all head for the exits. Rizzo doesn’t invest in bullpen reinforcements like Daniel Hudson or Hunter Strickland. Instead, he sells off bullpen stalwarts Sean Doolittle, Brian Dozier, Kurt Suzuki, and Asdrúbal Cabrera in quiet deals for lottery-ticket prospects. 

The Nationals stumble to a dismal 59-103 finish. Manager Dave Martinez is fired. Shockingly, ownership keeps Rizzo, perhaps trusting his long-term vision, and names bench coach Chip Hale as interim manager. Headlines read: “Rizzo Retained Despite Fan Revolt — Ownership Stands Firm, Fans Left in Shock.”

Meanwhile, in the postseason, the Twins—now featuring Rendon—once again fall to the Yankees in the ALDS. But with Strasburg leading the Bronx rotation, the Yankees finally break through, defeating the Astros in six games before falling to the loaded Dodgers in the World Series. Strasburg pitches brilliantly, but New York’s lack of depth dooms their title hopes.

2019-2020 Offseason

The offseason features one of the most star-studded free-agent classes in recent memory. The Yankees make headlines by retaining Strasburg and signing Gerrit Cole, sparking excitement among their fans who believe this is finally their year.

In Minnesota, the Twins re-sign Rendon amid mixed reactions — excitement for the talent, but concern about his famously indifferent approach to the game.

Back in Washington, with Strasburg and Rendon gone and the farm system in need of replenishment, Rizzo focuses on acquiring young, controllable talent. After difficult negotiations, he trades Patrick Corbin to the Texas Rangers for flamethrowing reliever Emmanuel Clase and athletic outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. Neither is a sure thing, but both fit the timeline for the team’s rebuild.

The Nationals don’t sign Will Harris or trade for Eric Thames. Instead, they make smaller moves and acquire Cardinals outfielder Adolis García. Their only significant trade sends young prospect Carter Kieboom and Joe Ross to the Dodgers for pitching prospects Josiah Gray, Ryan Pepiot and cash considerations, signaling a clear emphasis on rebuilding through pitching. This trade also represents a challenge trade for both sides. Ross doesn’t fit into the Nats long-term plans and this trade to the Dodgers allows him to get more innings. Kieboom is the surprising part of this trade because he was their first round pick in 2016, but the addition of Royce Lewis means it’ll be tough for him to find at-bats in DC. The Nationals had seen him as their third baseman of the future but now cash in on Kieboom’s value before it’s too late. 

The 2020 Covid-Shortened Season

The 2020 campaign is a brutal reminder of how far the Nationals have fallen. Despite the shortened 60-game schedule, the team’s struggles are impossible to ignore. 

There are some bright spots. Max Scherzer remains the team’s emotional and pitching anchor, logging a 3.74 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 67.1 innings. Trea Turner’s speed and bat keep the team competitive, and Juan Soto’s hitting cements his status as the franchise cornerstone. Brandon Lowe and Adolis García show flashes of power, and Jordan Montgomery provides steady innings on the mound. 

But inconsistent play and a leaky bullpen drag the team down to the bottom of the standings again. Washington trades Adam Eaton for a minor league prospect and cash — a clear signal the rebuild is ongoing – but there aren’t a lot of other veterans left to trade.

The team finishes an abysmal 22-38. Frustrated fans demand change, and ownership makes a bold move: Mike Rizzo is fired. Headlines scream, “Rizzo Fired After Disastrous Season — Nationals Seek Fresh Start.”

To lead the turnaround, the Nationals hire veteran executive Dave Dombrowski, known for championship pedigree and decisive roster moves. Charged with reshaping the roster around youth, pitching depth, and power while balancing veteran leadership, Dombrowski’s vision promises sustained success — but the road ahead is far from certain.

What’s Next?

Will Dombrowski trade stars like Juan Soto, Trea Turner, or Max Scherzer? Will he rebuild patiently or swing for the fences? Find out in Part Two of this alternate Nationals timeline.