The Washington Nationals acquired catcher Harry Ford on December 6, as part of a big three-player trade. The Mariners got back Jose Ferrer, who spent part of 2025 as the Nationals’ closer. Isaac Lyon, a 10th-round pick by the Mariners, is also part of the deal.

The Nationals’ Return

• C Harry Ford (.167/.250/.167 in eight PA (MLB))
• SP Isaac Lyon (15 K over 12.1 IP, three BB (A))

Harry Ford made his MLB debut in September 2025, a little over four years after he was drafted by the Mariners. A lot has changed in the organization since then. For reference, Cal Raleigh just made his MLB debut the month that Seattle selected Ford.

Ford had a reputation for being a very different kind of catcher. Now a 22-year-old, Ford showcased a lot of athleticism and speed, something unusual for a catcher. Someone like J.T. Realmuto (6’0”), who’s a tad taller than Ford (5’10”), was a good comp in that regard.

He performed exceptionally well in his first pro season, as he slashed .274/.425/.438 with 11 home runs and 23 stolen bases as a 19-year-old with Modesto (A) in 2022. Ford then had a strong international showing for Great Britain in the 2023 WBC.

Since then, the numbers have fluctuated. Ford hit very well in High-A, struggled to hit for pop in Double-A, then took advantage of the hitter-friendly PCL and picked up 34 extra-base hits with the Rainiers after shaking off a slow start.

As we noted in September, Ford has a lot of desirable traits. A plus eye, compact swing, power potential, and the ability to draw walks. It’s the kind of skillset that could make him a leadoff man or #2 hitter, rare in this day of age for a catcher to be able to do that.

Defensively, Ford showed, as mentioned, athleticism in the past. The mobility helps, and he’s grown as a catcher. For reference, Ford allowed 20 passed balls with Everett (A+) two years ago. This year? None, over 81 games with Tacoma and four with Seattle.

Ford threw out 23% of runners behind the dish with Tacoma in 2025. His CS% ranged between 19% and 27% in the Minors.

The other player involved in this trade is Isaac Lyon, a 10th-round pick by Seattle last July. Lyon spent three years at Grand Canyon University, where he struck out 88 over 86 IP and walked just 23 in his junior season.

Teams love bloodline players, and Lyon fits that build. The 21-year-old is the son of former Major Leaguer Brandon Lyon, who made a name for himself as a durable, funky right-handed reliever.

Lyon is a lot like his dad: doesn’t throw hard, low arm angle, is lanky, and will work with a heavy sinker. There’s also a changeup and slider in the arsenal. May very well profile as a reliever long-term. However, he was sent out as a starter when he made his pro debut.

The Mariners’ Return

• RP Jose Ferrer (71 K over 76.1 IP, 16 BB & four SV (MLB))

After the Nationals traded away Kyle Finnegan at the deadline, Jose Ferrer was able to take charge as Washington’s closer. It gave a lot of fans inside and outside the Beltway a chance to see what Ferrer could do. Needless to say, he didn’t do too badly.

Ferrer notched 11 saves for the Nationals this past year, a strong one despite the .310 wOBA that ranked in the bottom half of the league among relievers.

For Ferrer, the pitch mix is relatively simple. Hard sinker that can touch the upper-90s, coupled with a changeup that’s his primary secondary offering. Ferrer also uses a slider, mainly against right-handed hitters.

Limiting quality contact is the name of the game. Fantastic 8% weak contact rate, as well as a walk rate that ranked among the best in the game. He induced ground balls at a rate above 64%,

Another plus for Ferrer: his two-seamer can play up in the zone, as well.

Analysis

Mariners baseball ops president Jerry Dipoto stated earlier in the year that the 2026 payroll would, from a numbers standpoint, be roughly the same compared to 2025. Given that Ferrer is a pre-arbitration player, he’ll come in at or close to the minimum salary for next season.

What does obviously work in the Mariners’ favor is the fact that the team has Raleigh — and under control, as well. Sure, Ford could have seen significant time as a catcher in 2026 with Seattle, provided that Raleigh DH’d. However, his time would have been limited. Raleigh is a valuable catcher in his own right.

Thus, the Mariners sold while Ford’s stock remains high.

As for the Nationals, there is an opportunity behind the plate. Riley Adams saw a lot of time in 2025 and, as noted in our 2025 recap, was one of the worst statistical hitters last season. Washington ran with him, as Keibert Ruiz had multiple IL stints this year.

Ruiz, once a top prospect in his own right, has not developed well since he signed a long-term extension in 2023. That contract locked him up through at least 2030, with two team options. But with Ford around now, it’s somewhat apparent that the Nationals are seeking a different look.

UPDATE (12/6): A previous edition of this article erronously stated that Lyon was traded to Seattle. It has since been updated.

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