Mired in season-long slog, Nationals look forward to Christmas in July

Hours before his teammates lost 8-1 to the visiting San Diego Padres on Sunday, Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan was wrapping presents.

With Christmas-themed wrapping paper adorned with gnomes, he delicately prepared his offerings before placing them under the tree. A large box was inscribed “NATE,” possibly for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. An envelope for “JY” was likely a gift for speedy center fielder Jacob Young.

Washington’s reliever carefully considered where to stash the presents under the 4-foot shrub of a fake tree set up in the middle of the Nationals’ clubhouse. The envelope now adorns one of the branches. The other present is leaning against the festive tree, which is topped by a piece of printer paper with a star hastily scribbled onto it.

Despite another loss amid another losing season, the Nationals are celebrating Christmas in July.

“We’ve got to have fun,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said of the tradition. “This game is hard and sometimes we take it too seriously; then we get so caught up in all the negative and other stuff.”

They needed the good vibes on Sunday after the blowout loss. MacKenzie Gore, Washington’s ace, gave up a first-inning grand slam to San Diego designated hitter Xander Bogaerts to start the rout.

Gore allowed a fifth run on back-to-back doubles shortly after.

It didn’t get any better. A two-run homer by Padres catcher Elias Diaz in the third inning led Cairo to turn to his bullpen.

“I was just bad today,” Gore confessed after the game.

He’ll rely on his teammates — and their clubhouse traditions — to lift him back up.

“We’ve been struggling for a while now, and the only way to get out of this stuff is to come together,” he said. “It’s tough right now, tough situation and we’re not playing well. We’ve got to just do it as a group.”

Even Washington’s All-Stars — Gore and slugging outfielder James Wood — are struggling. Wood, who participated in last week’s All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, has slumped since July 4.

“It can’t be all rainbows and sunshine all the time,” he said after going 1 for 4 with a single on Sunday. “It happens. You just got to work your way out of it.”

It’s been a season to forget for Washington. Now 39-60 on the season, the Nationals appear to be in tear-down mode. 

After firing Rizzo and Martinez earlier this month, rumors started to circle the rest of the roster ahead of the July 31 trade deadline: Which potential trade assets were on the move?

Finnegan and Lowe have become popular names in trade rumors. Both former All-Stars are in their 30s and need new deals this offseason. The closer could become an unrestricted free agent, while the slugging first baseman will likely enter arbitration.

Gore joined them in trade discussions this week, according to multiple reports. The 26-year-old southpaw is an intriguing option for postseason contenders looking to beef up their rotation — Gore ranked sixth in MLB in strikeouts entering Sunday’s game.

Even more enticing for forward-looking teams, Gore is under team control through 2027.

But interim general manager Mike DeBartolo insists that the ace — and the rest of the young core — isn’t going anywhere.

“Certainly in my job, if someone calls, you always listen to what they have to say. But trading away our really high-quality young players is not something I’m looking to do right now,” he told reporters on Saturday. “I’d put [Gore] in that group in terms of our young, really talented players. That’s not a focus of mine to move him.”

Another loss on Sunday means some moves are likely on the horizon, though.

“We’re still in the evaluation process of timelines and things like that. … ” DeBartolo said. “We’re looking to just acquire young talent and to bolster what we have and try to be competitive as soon as we can. But I don’t want to put a timeline on it.”

The Nationals are trying their best to keep their spirits merry and bright. The Christmas tree helps.

“Sometimes it’s time to relax and enjoy a little moment as a family in the clubhouse,” Cairo said, though he didn’t clarify when his players would get to open their presents. “That’s what we’re trying to do.”

After dropping the weekend series to the Padres, the Nationals sit 17 games behind the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies.

The Nationals are staying home for a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds that starts on Monday.