​Could a new deal be on the way for one of the Nationals’ best? It appears that’s a very realistic possibility with the 2026 regular season winding down and the front office tasked with answering a long list of questions. The good news is the long term status of Cade Cavalli does not appear to be in question.The Nationals are reportedly nearing a contract extension with right handed starting pitcher Cade Cavalli, per multiple reports.The news comes as a welcomed development for the Nationals, who have watched the 28 year old blossom into the ace that he was expected to be since the All Star break.Cavalli owns a 7-1 record with a 2.05 ERA and 84 strikeouts since the second half of the regular season began, but how he has done it may be most impressive. He has lasted at least six innings in all but one of his last 13 starts, while he has tossed at least eight strikeouts in each of his last three appearances and in eight games since July 12. Cavalli also eclipsed double digit strikeouts twice in August, but that also came after setting a new career high with 13 strikeouts against the Boston Red Sox back on June 30.Through 31 appearances and 164.2 innings pitched in 2026, Cavalli owns a 12-5 record with a 3.12 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. His 194 strikeouts this season are tied with multiple pitchers for eighth most across all of baseball, while he’s settled the top of the rotation since the Nationals dealt rookie ace Foster Griffin to the Cleveland Guardians in the 11th hour prior to the trade deadline. Cavalli is currently on pace to set new career bests in both ERA and WHIP while his strikeout total is approaching five times his 2025 total. Cavalli leads the Nationals’ pitching staff with a 3.5 WAR.How the Nationals address the rest of the pitching staff is the question for president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and the front office to answer this offseason with multiple new pieces needed even with Connelly Early, who made a rehab appearance this week, part of next season’s foundation.Cavalli is also expected to open the rotation when the Nationals return to play following Thursday’s off day with a three game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, set to begin on Friday, Sept. 18, marking the final road trip of the 2026 regular season.