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 at reclaiming his spot 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 slump was a stark contrast to his impressive 2015 rookie season with the Angels. After being traded to Washington for Yunel Escobar during the 2015-16 offseason, Gott’s career hit a rough patch, plagued by injuries and inconsistent play as he bounced between the majors and Triple-A. And this is the part most people miss: despite these challenges, Gott’s resilience has kept him in the game.
After a trade to the Giants before the 2019 season, Gott faced more struggles in 2020 and didn’t pitch in the majors again until 2022 with the Brewers. However, the 2022-23 seasons saw a turnaround, as Gott became a reliable reliever for the Brewers, Mariners, and Mets, logging 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 solid performance, the Mets non-tendered Gott after the 2023 season, leaving him to sign a one-year, $1.5MM deal with the Athletics for 2024. Unfortunately, a Tommy John surgery in March 2024 sidelined him, and he hasn’t pitched in the majors since.
Now, at 33 and fully recovered from surgery, Gott is back in Washington, aiming to prove he still has what it takes. A strong Spring Training could earn him a spot in the Nationals’ bullpen, which is in dire need of improvement after ranking last in the league 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 hidden gem. Here’s the thought-provoking question: Can a player like Gott, with a history of ups and downs, truly reinvent himself at this stage of his career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Gott has another comeback in him, or is this just a long shot for the Nationals?
