Where does the data come from?
MLB rosters and stats come from the public MLB Stats API. Prospect FV grades come from Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, FanGraphs, and MLB Pipeline. The Top 50 MLB players are anchored to FanGraphs' 2026 Trade Value series.
How often is the data refreshed?
Rosters and stats refresh on each new build. Prospect consensus grades update after each outlet's midseason and preseason list.
Why is [player] missing?
We include the 40-man roster plus full-season affiliates (AAA, AA, A+, A). Complex-league and DSL players are excluded. Recent international signings may take a cycle to appear.
Why doesn't the simulator include contracts and salary?
The public API doesn't expose contracts or AAV. We proxy for that with estimated years of team control, which multiplies MLB present-day value from ×0.70 (rental) to ×1.00 (six full years).
Are you predicting what the Nats front office will actually do?
No. This is a fan-built simulator that estimates fairness from public data. Real GMs weigh medicals, extension talks, luxury tax, and clubhouse fit that we can't see.
How do I improve the accuracy?
Every verdict has a star rating and a notes box. Both feed into an admin dashboard that summarizes themes; consistent feedback directly shapes the next calibration.
What's Nats Report+?
It's the paid tier of The Nats Report newsletter. Subscribers unlock the 'Explain like a GM' AI blurb inside the simulator. Learn more at thenatsreport.com/nats-report-plus.
Can I share a trade with a link?
Yes — the URL updates as you build. Copy it, or use the 'Submit trade' flow to post it to the community leaderboard with a shareable card.