Can Trevor Gott Redeem Himself in Washington? The Nationals are taking a chance on a familiar face, signing right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott to a minor league contract, as reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. This move likely includes an invitation to the Nationals’ major league Spring Training camp, giving Gott a shot to prove he still belongs in the big leagues. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Gott’s journey back to the District is anything but straightforward.
This marks Gott’s second stint with the Nationals, following a less-than-stellar performance from 2016 to 2018, where he posted a 7.39 ERA over 28 innings. This struggle came on the heels of a promising 2015 rookie season with the Angels, making his decline all the more puzzling. After being traded to the Nationals for Yunel Escobar during the 2015-16 offseason, Gott battled injuries and inconsistency, bouncing between the majors and Triple-A. And this is the part most people miss: his career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows ever since.
After a trade to the Giants before the 2019 season, Gott faced more challenges in 2020 and didn’t pitch in the majors again until 2022 with the Brewers. However, the 2022-23 seasons saw a resurgence, as he became a reliable bullpen arm for the Brewers, Mariners, and Mets, posting a 4.17 ERA, a 23.7% strikeout rate, and a 6.9% walk rate over 103 2/3 innings. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite this success, the Mets non-tendered Gott after the 2023 season, and he signed a one-year, $1.5MM deal with the Athletics for 2024. Unfortunately, a Tommy John surgery in March 2024 derailed his progress, and he hasn’t pitched in the majors since.
Now, at 33 and fully recovered from surgery, Gott is back in Washington, aiming to show he’s still got what it takes. A strong Spring Training could earn him a spot in the Nationals’ bullpen, which desperately needs help after ranking as the league’s worst in 2025. Gott is one of several veteran pitchers the Nationals are bringing to camp on non-roster invites, hoping to uncover a bargain or two. But the question remains: Can Gott overcome his past struggles and injuries to reclaim his place in the majors? What do you think—is this a smart move by the Nationals, or is Gott’s best baseball behind him? Let us know in the comments!
