Washington Nationals’ rebuild hits a turning point as MacKenzie Gore is traded for a promising prospect haul—does this signal a brighter future, or confirm past failures? Ryan Clary tackles the core question facing Nationals fans, spotlighting the moves that defined the organization’s attempt to reset. From leadership shakeups to the disappointing performance that triggered sweeping changes, the episode breaks down why the rebuild faltered long before Gore’s departure. Key discussions include the emergence of top prospects like Eli Willits, Travis Sykora, Harry Ford, and Jarlin Susana in MLB Pipeline’s latest rankings, and how the new regime’s player development approach could reshape the farm system. Ryan Clary also addresses the Washington Post’s potential sports layoffs—raising concerns about the impact on Nationals coverage and fans’ access to critical team news. Will this new chapter restore hope in D.C., or are more challenges ahead?

00:00 Gore Trade Means Nats Failure?

03:16 Nationals' Rebuild: A Failure

07:31 Nationals Strengthen Roster with Prospects

15:20 Eli Willits: A Well-Rounded Prospect

18:37 Nationals' Catcher Battle: Ford vs. Ruiz

22:04 Elite Pitching Prospect Overview

26:12 "Impact of Cuts in Sports Journalism"

Follow Ryan Clary on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ryanclary11

Follow Locked On Nationals on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LO_Nationals

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