1 move the Washington Nationals should've made this offseason

"Free Agency is in full swing for Major League Baseball. The Washington Nationals have made a few signings, but no multi-year deals. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Ryan O'Hearn to a 2-year contract, making the Nationals the last team not to have signed a free agent to a multi-year contract since 2020. That player was reliever Will Harris, and Nationals fans know how that played out. The only other multi-year deal Washington's ownership has approved was Keibert Ruiz's contract, and that one isn't looking too great either."

"The first reason Washington should've signed Murakami is that they need power hitters. Murakami has hit at least 28 home runs in six of his eight professional seasons in Japan. In eight seasons, he has batting splits of .273/.394/.945. At just 25-years-old, Murakami has the chance to become a prominent hitter in the Major Leagues. One of the knocks on Munetaka's game has been his defense, but he has a career .994 fielding percentage at first base, which is likely where he'll play."

"If he were in a Nats uniform, he'd undoubtedly be playing first base in 2026. Reports around the Nats are that Luis Garcia Jr. will be attempting to switch to first base, which is a last-resort idea for his career. If the Nats had a competent first baseman, I don't believe Garcia Jr. would be making the switch. Murakami would fit in the Nats' current roster at first base much better than Garcia, in my opinion."

Major League Baseball free agency is active while the Washington Nationals have made only short-term signings and no multi-year free agent deals. The Nationals became the last team without a multi-year free agent signing after the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Ryan O'Hearn, echoing the 2020 Will Harris situation. Ownership has approved very few long-term contracts beyond Keibert Ruiz, which has underperformed. The Chicago White Sox signed Munetaka Murakami to two years and $34 million, providing power, youth, and market interest. Murakami offers consistent home run production, strong offensive rates, and a likely first-base defensive profile that would address lineup needs and prevent roster experiments.

Read at District on Deck