Nationals Trade Ferrer to Mariners for Ford
A blockbuster deal just landed: Washington is sending left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer to Seattle in exchange for catcher Harry Ford, with pitcher Isaac Lyon also heading to the Nationals, per multiple reports. The agreement was first floated by Andrew Golden of the Washington Post, and later confirmed by both clubs.
Seattle bolsters its bullpen with a hard-throwing lefty to join the mix behind Andres Muñoz and Matt Brash. The price is notable, as Ford sits at No. 42 in MLB.com’s top-100 prospects list. Lyon, a 2025 10th-round pick, projects as a minor-league arm with upside.
Ferrer has been Washington’s closer since Kyle Finnegan was dealt at the trade deadline. Over the final two months of the season, he saved 11 games. His season’s statistics show a 21.9% strikeout rate and a mid-4.00s ERA, but underlying metrics were strong: a 2.85 SIERA and a 4.9% walk rate. A stretch of 14 consecutive scoreless appearances after taking over as closer showcased his potential, though he cooled near the end.
Since debuting in 2023, Ferrer has logged 142 relief appearances for the Nationals. Career numbers include a 4.36 ERA, with xERA and xFIP both under 3.50, and a high ground-ball rate powered by an upper-90s sinker. He remains under team control through 2029 and isn’t eligible for arbitration until 2027.
Ford has long been lauded as one of Seattle’s premier prospects. Drafted 12th overall in 2021, he climbed from fifth in the system in 2022 to the top spot in 2023 and has stayed among the Mariners’ top-5 prospects since. He’s been a consistent contributor at every level and brings notable base-stealing ability.
The 22-year-old hit .283/.408/.460 with 16 home runs and seven stolen bases at Triple-A this past season. His plate discipline stands out, with a 16.2% walk rate and sub-20% strikeout rate. His MLB stint consisted of eight pinch-hitting appearances and a defensive role, where he went 1-for-6.
In the minors, Ford’s power is more gap-to-gap than pure over-the-fence thump, but his combination of speed and on-base acumen gives him a distinctive offensive profile for a catcher. He possesses elite on-base skills, evidenced by a .377 OBP in 2024 and yearly marks at or above .400 throughout his minor-league career.
With Cal Raleigh signed to a six-year extension before 2025, Ford’s path to regular playing time in Seattle was blocked for the near future. Washington will deploy him as part of a catching corps that battled injuries and inconsistent production last season. Keibert Ruiz dealt with concussion issues, limited to 68 games in 2025, while Riley Adams, Drew Millas, and Jorge Alfaro also handled catching duties at various times. The Nationals’ backstops posted subpar OPS, contributing to the rationale for the trade. Adams is on a one-year split deal, and Alfaro is a free agent.
Lyon, a 21-year-old right-hander, appeared in four starts for Modesto this past year and will continue his development with Fredericksburg. He is the son of former pitcher Brandon Lyon.
Photo courtesy of Rafael Suanes, Imagn Images
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