Offseason Outlook: Washington Nationals

"The Nationals hoped the 2025 season would represent a step forward in their rebuild, but the opposite took place. The results were discouraging enough that ownership fired not only manager Davey Martinez but longtime president/general manager Mike Rizzo, who'd run the team's baseball operations for nearly two decades. A new front office regime will try to turn things around for a club that won more games in 2024 (71) than in 2025 (66)."

"The Nationals' summer ousting of Rizzo kicked off an executive search while longtime Rizzo lieutenant Mike DeBartolo ran baseball operations through the trade deadline and the end of the season. Washington spoke with executives from multiple clubs and ultimately settled on Red Sox assistant general manager Paul Toboni to head up the organization. Because he was in the running to be promoted to Red Sox general manager under chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, Toboni was hired with the title president of baseball operations."

"Changes in the front office have already begun. The Nats will retain DeBartolo in a yet-to-be-announced role, but assistant GMs Eddie Longosz and Mark Scialabba are set to depart the organization amid further changes in the scouting department. Even if Toboni doesn't immediately add a general manager, it seems likely that he'll bring on some new hires to take over some of the AGM and scouting responsibilities (particularly if DeBartolo is moved to a role other than assistant general manager)."

The Nationals regressed from 71 wins in 2024 to 66 in 2025, prompting ownership to fire manager Davey Martinez and longtime president/general manager Mike Rizzo. Paul Toboni was hired as president of baseball operations after a search, with Mike DeBartolo retained in an undefined role. Assistant general managers Eddie Longosz and Mark Scialabba are set to depart, and scouting department changes are expected. The organization could hire a general manager later but did not present that as an immediate priority. Total 2026 financial commitments are $49MM, with $79MM committed through 2030. Non-tender candidates include Alfaro, Garcia, Thompson, and Adams.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors