Nationals and right-hander Cade Cavalli agree to 4-year extension

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The Nationals have finalized a four-year contract extension with right-hander Cade Cavalli, with a club option in 2031, the team announced Friday.

The deal is worth $47 million, according to a source, and the club option could increase the amount to $70 million. It begins in 2027 and buys out one year of free agency.

Cavalli, a 2020 first-round draft pick, has blossomed into the staff ace this season. He’s 12-5 with a 3.12 ERA, which is 14th in the majors.

President of baseball operations Paul Toboni said discussions between him and Cavalli’s agency (BBI Sports Group) began weeks ago.

“We want to build around people who embody what we want this organization to be, [and] Cade fits that perfectly,” Toboni said on a videoconference call. “We talk a lot about creating a culture of growth. Cade’s a great example of that. He’s never stopped working in ways to get better. He’s made big strides this year, and so I think like this is as much a reflection of, obviously, Cade as it is our people and our development process.”

Cavalli has been a steady presence for a Nationals pitching staff that has been defined by inconsistent outings from other starters and bullpen blow-ups. Manager Blake Butera has referred to Cavalli as a No. 1-caliber pitcher numerous times.

And he embraces that mindset. He leads the Nationals in games started (31) and innings pitched (164 2/3).

“I think lately he’s become great, and great in a way that has been extremely consistent,” Toboni said. “And it’s something we’ve challenged Cade with, and he’s taken it to heart and really delivered on it, and I know it’s going to be really important to him to continue to deliver on it going forward.”

Uncertainty surrounded the 28-year-old on opening day at Wrigley Field. He entered the season with just 53 innings in the majors and questions about his durability. Injuries took a mental toll because his career was in the balance.

The right-hander adjusted his recovery routine between starts to ensure his health over the full season, and he has been reliable with consistent, high-level performances. He added a sweeper to his arsenal as another breaking ball to attack right-handed hitters.

The Nationals’ pitching staff ranks 27th in the majors in ERA and has many question marks. DJ Herz is nearing a return from injury, and Jarlin Susana and Travis Sykora are promising prospects. The team’s offense showed this season that the playoffs are a realistic possibility for 2027 if the team upgrades its pitching.

Since the 2019 World Series win, Nationals fans have become accustomed to seeing their stars traded rather than extended. But Toboni came from Boston, an organization that has been proactive in signing young talent — such as Ceddanne Rafaela, Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet — to long-term deals.

The last extension the Nationals handed out was to catcher Keibert Ruiz, who signed an eight-year deal in 2023. Cavalli’s contract signals to the fanbase that this new regime is willing to keep core players in the organization.

“We want to make this a place where players want to be,” Toboni said. “If you treat people the right way and you help players realize the best versions of themselves, the word will get out. Players talk, coaches talk, whatever it might be, and we want to make this place that place.”

When Toboni was hired in October 2025, he said at his introductory news conference he wants to create a “scouting and player development monster.” Trust is a big part of the development process.

But it requires the franchise believing the player has a steadfast desire to get better. With this commitment, the Nationals have no doubts of how much Cavalli can improve.

This article has been updated.